Alix Earle says she’s never read a book, so Jenna Bush Hager is here to help.
The creator of the Read with Jenna book club posted a reading list for the social media star on TODAY on Oct. 1, after Earle, 25, told Interview magazine that she “hasn’t read any books” other than “maybe Dr. Seuss.” This statement sparked a backlash and shocked Jenna.
“Alix, you were at the show too,” Jenna said on TODAY. “We know you’re smart, so you know what we want to do, we want to give you a little curriculum.”
Earle reacted to her comment, which went viral, on her Instagram story by reposting a tweet about it and adding the caption, “This sends me,” according to EW.
Before Jenna revealed her reading recommendations to Earle, she and Sheinelle talked about the benefits of curling up with a book.
“You have to be quick on social media,” Jenna said. “When you sit down with a book and stay there for a while, a different part of our brain is used, which is a part that we used to use a lot and was kind of challenged by the rise of short videos.
“Reading fiction brings about a rise in empathy, and we know that,” he continued. “Because you’re sitting in someone else’s shoes.”
He did, however, offer Earle the following books.
“Come here, join our program, we can teach you how to be a great reader,” Jenna said.
‘The Babysitter Club’
Jenna first suggested Ann M. Martin’s classic children’s book series.
“We know you are an entrepreneur,” Jenna said. “She started her own brand. It’s about women coming together, starting a club, empowering each other. Let’s start there, Alix.”
‘Are you there, God? It’s me, Margaret’
Judy Blume’s iconic 1970 novel about sixth-grader Margaret Simon has become a rite of passage reading for generations of children.
“Alix, if you haven’t learned about sex, that could be problematic too,” Jenna joked.
‘Of Mice and Men’
John Steinbeck’s 1937 novella about the Depression-era experiences of George Milton and Lennie Small is a staple of scholastic reading lists.
“If you didn’t get this assignment in eighth grade, I want to talk to your English teacher,” Jenna said.
‘Pachinko’
A more contemporary classic, Min Jin Lee’s 2017 novel follows the saga of multiple generations of a Korean family moving to Japan.
“I love this author so much,” Jenna said, before showing off the hefty tome. “This is a bigger book, so you should start with these (other books).”
Jenna wasn’t done and added another seven-book curriculum:
- “Bel Canto” by Ann Patchett
- “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins
- “The House on Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros
- “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green
- “Summer Sisters” by Judy Blume
- “Beezus and Ramona” by Beverly Cleary
- “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison