NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Jenna Bush Hager, the beloved host of NBC ‘Today’ show has won millions of hearts with her passion for literature. As an avid reader and a book enthusiast, Hager recently shared a new book recommendation for August for her book club fans.
In a recent ‘Today with Hoda and Jenna’ episode, the former first daughter shared her pick featuring the celebration of female friendship and the book’s 25th anniversary. For August 2023, Hager selected a timeless and enduring classic ‘Summer Sisters’ by Judy Blume which continues to resonate with readers, capturing hearts and minds since its original publication 25 years ago. Hager says that she is enamored with ‘Summer Sisters’ for countless reasons. Hager’s admiration for the book stems from its compelling narrative, rich character development, and timeless themes that resonate with readers of all ages. With her genuine enthusiasm, Hager introduces ‘Summer Sisters’ to her book club fans, celebrating Blume's ability to craft a tale that leaves a lasting impact, just like her beloved works for younger audiences.
What is 'Summer Sisters' by Judy Blume all about?
'Summer Sisters' by Judy Blume is a captivating coming-of-age novel centered around the enduring friendship between two young girls, Caitlin Somers and Victoria Leonard. Their journey begins when they meet at the age of twelve during a summer on Martha's Vineyard. Caitlin, the outgoing and adventurous one, quickly becomes inseparable from the reserved and introspective Victoria. Their friendship intensifies over the years as they spend every summer together on the idyllic island. As they grow into young women, their paths diverge. Caitlin embraces a glamorous and spontaneous lifestyle, while Victoria focuses on her academic and artistic pursuits. Their choices and experiences shape their lives in unexpected ways, and their friendship faces challenges as they navigate the complexities of adulthood. Judy Blume skillfully delves into the intricacies of female friendship, exploring themes of love, envy, ambition, and loyalty. The novel beautifully captures the essence of growing up and the profound impact of pivotal moments in life. Through her vivid storytelling, Blume crafts a powerful narrative about identity, self-discovery, and the enduring bonds of friendship. 'Summer Sisters' is a timeless tale that resonates with readers, drawing them into the lives of these remarkable characters as they navigate the ups and downs of life, love, and friendship.
'You will fall in love'
On Tuesday’s ‘Today with Hoda and Jenna,’ Hager kicked off the segment sharing her August book club pick. She said, “It's about that time in your life where you're trying to figure out who you're going to be.” She continued, “It is the perfect, perfect beach read but that doesn't mean that it's an easy read. It's a beautiful read and it will make you think about growing up and that friend of yours who you adored, but maybe didn't know if they were good for you.” She then went on to reveal the book called, ‘Summer Sisters,’ which was first published in 1998, and August 2023 not only marks its 25th anniversary but also features a beautiful new cover alongside Read with Jenna Seal. Hager fills in the audience about the book as she said, “It is about Peter Pan syndrome. And it's also about who raises us and how they raise us. It has a love triangle or two. You will fall in love.”
For those who have already read Blume’s classic, Hager begs them to reread it as this is one of the perfect summer read. Hager exclaimed jokingly, “If you haven’t read it, I don’t know what you’re waiting for. You’ve wasted 25 years.” Hager also revealed that Blume is one of her favorite writers and she was lucky to meet her recently following her release of the film adaptation of ‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.’ Hager went on to explain her meeting with Blume, “Meeting Judy Blume is like meeting the queen. She is the queen for me, and for so many women. She is an incredible advocate for books. She has written some of the best books for kids and young adults, but (‘Summer Sisters’) is her adult novel. And I think it's her best.”
Hager continued to urge her fans to read the book, especially those who want to feel like they’re on vacation. She said, “Read it with us. You will probably read it in a couple of days,” she says. “But if you're going anywhere on vacation, even if you're not going on vacation … it will remind you of being on the beach so take a little book vacation with us.” She concluded with a beautiful statement, “Summer reading is the state of mind. All you need is a book, an umbrella if you choose, and that's all.”
Hager also took to her Instagram to share the book pick as she captioned the post, "I am OVER THE MOON to share my August RWJ pick on its 25th anniversary… “Summer Sisters” by one of my all-time favorite authors, the queen Judy Blume! This modern classic follows the lifelong friendship between two girls, Caitlin and Vix, who spend their summers together on Martha's Vineyard. As they grow older, their lives take different paths while they navigate love, friendship, and personal struggles. It’s the perfect beach read … thanks to a love triangle or two! But it’s so much more than that. It’s about female friendship, class, the complexities of growing up, and mothers — who raises us and how they raise us. If you’ve read “Summer Sisters,” now is the perfect time to reread it. If you haven’t, I don’t know what you’re waiting for! Read with me to celebrate 25 years of this iconic novel!"
