Ann Patchett and Jenna Bush Hager Share the Same ‘First Favorite’ Book and Recommend 5 Must-Reads—From Mysteries to Classics!
Discover the book they both adored as kids—and more reads they can't put down
Key Takeaways
- Ann Patchett and Jenna Bush Hager both say ‘Charlotte's Web’ was their first favorite book.
- The book lovers share 5 must-read mystery recommendations—from courtroom dramas to whodunits!
- Jenna's mystery picks lean toward thrillers and Ann's are more character-driven.
What if you discovered that you and your favorite author loved the exact same book as children? That’s the magical moment Jenna Bush Hager experienced when she sat down with beloved award-winning novelist Ann Patchett on the Open Book with Jenna podcast.
Jenna and Ann—who are both devoted book enthusiasts—revealed that a certain classic by E.B. White was their very first literary love. “I read it over and over again,” Ann remembered fondly. But their shared passion for books doesn’t stop there. During their conversation, the two also discussed their deep love of reading. “I know this because you recommend books to me, but reading really is one of the greatest loves of your entire life,” Jenna said to Ann. Without hesitation, Ann answered, “It’s all I do. I’m evangelical about it.”
So, whether you’re looking for an excellent book recommendation or you’re curious about Ann and Jenna’s very first favorite book—or both—you’re in luck! Keep scrolling to discover the childhood classic they both still cherish to this day, plus 5 captivating mystery books they’re recommending now.
Ann and Jenna share the same ‘first favorite’ book
About 40 minutes into their bookish conversation on Open Book With Jenna, Jenna and Ann reminisced about books that made an impression on them at early ages. “Do you remember the first book you ever loved?” Jenna asked. And Ann immediately answered Charlotte’s Webb by E.B. White—to which Jenna enthusiastically echoed that it was her first favorite book. “Me too,” Jenna agreed.
“I read it constantly,” Ann remembered. “And I got a pig for my 9th birthday because we lived on a farm and I begged my family to give me a pig and my stepfather gave me a pig! We had a beautiful time together for a while.”
Jenna also weighed in on how revisiting the book is just as powerful today. “I talk about Charlotte’s Web all the time,” Jenna said. “It is one of the most beautifully written books for adults, too. The writing about the passing of the seasons—incredible.”
5 must-read mystery books according to Jenna and Ann
From beloved childhood classics to twisty thrillers, Ann and Jenna’s reading interests cover a super wide variety of genres. Here, we gathered up a few more recent favorites from Jenna and Ann and zeroed in on their mystery picks. While they don’t always gravitate toward the same kind of mystery, both are quick to champion novels that pair unforgettable characters with stories that keep readers guessing until the very last page.
Jenna’s mystery picks lean more on classic whodunit elements while Ann’s mystery picks are more literary and character-driven. Keep scrolling to discover a few of their must-reads!
‘The Hunter’ by Tana French
Tana French is often referred to as the “queen of Irish crime fiction”—and her 2024 novel, The Hunter, is one of Ann’s favorites! After retiring from the Chicago Police Department, Cal Hooper settles in rural Ireland, where he builds a quiet life with Lena and becomes a mentor to a troubled teen named Trey Reddy. But their peace is shattered when Trey’s estranged father returns with an investor chasing rumors of hidden gold. Soon, a dangerous series of events unfurl that set Trey on a path toward revenge…while Cal and Lena must fight to protect the future they’ve created together.
What Ann says: “So many books that I just love are by Irish authors and one of them is Tana French’s The Hunter.”
What other readers are saying: “Tana French has outdone herself with The Hunter, a follow-up to ‘The Searcher.’ Despite being a follow-up, it can be readily enjoyed as a stand-alone. The novel takes place in the village of Ardnakelty in western Ireland. It is an unusually hot summer and there has been no rain for weeks. Everyone is restless. This is a literary novel that happens to include a murder—and I recommend it to all readers who enjoy literary fiction spiced with a bit of intrigue.”
‘The Body in Question’ by Jill Clement
This smart, emotionally layered 2019 courtroom saga asks the question: How well can we ever really know someone? During a high-profile murder trial in central Florida, two jurors begin a secret affair—during which they’re forbidden to speak about the case. Then, when deliberations begin, they find themselves on opposite sides. As the verdict echoes beyond the courtroom, the story becomes an exploration of desire, justice and the moral gray areas that linger long after trials end.
What Ann says: “This is such an unbelievable book. If anybody else had written this book it would’ve been 400 pages but it is 172 pages! It’s about a murder trial in which two of the jurors…you know. There is so much going on but this book is so tight—and so well written.”
What other readers are saying: “This intriguing mystery novel focuses on an illicit affair between sequestered jurors rather than who committed the crime. Interwoven plots skillfully lace all of the solutions together and will surprise you at every turn.”
‘Bluebird, Bluebird’ by Attica Lock
This gripping 2017 mystery-thriller touches on themes of race, identity and justice. When Texas Ranger Darren Mathews returns to his small town to investigate the murders of a Black lawyer and a white local woman, he uncovers long-buried tensions that threaten to rise to the surface. Now, he also must finally confront his own complicated ties to the place he once tried to leave.
What Ann says: “I don’t read many mysteries, but I’d follow Texas Ranger Matthews anywhere. And in Bluebird, Bluebird, Attica Locke has both mastered the thriller and exceeded it. I loved everything about this book.”
What other readers are saying: “Attica’s books read like a movie and the audiobooks are even better. This is the second book I’ve read from her and it did not disappoint. She knows how to keep you guessing on romance, the killer and the suspicious characters. I plan on experiencing all of her work.”
‘Heartwood’ by Amity Gauge
If you like your mysteries on the atmospheric side, look no further than this bestselling 2025 novel. The suspenseful, deeply moving story is one of Jenna’s go-to reads and it follows the search for a missing Appalachian Trail hiker in the Maine wilderness. As a game warden races to find her and an unlikely amateur sleuth pieces together clues from afar, the truths they uncover unfold into a tale about survival, resilience and how unexpected connections can change lives.
What Jenna says: “This book is like Cheryl Strayed’s Wild but it reads like a mystery. It’s propulsive and will have you asking yourself, what happened to this woman?”
What other readers are saying: “The parts of the story addressing the main characters’ backgrounds were very moving. The book takes a deep look at what it means to be lost and what it means to be found. Part mystery, part suspenseful.”
‘The Turnout’ by Megan Abbot
The Turnout— a 2021 Read With Jenna pick—is a mesmerizing psychological thriller-meets-twistymystery that gives readers a behind-the-scenes look at the competitive world of ballet. Dara and Marie Durant have danced for as long as they can remember. Their mother trained them and founded the Durant School of Dance. But after their parents’ death a dozen years ago, the sisters began running the school together, along with Charlie, Dara’s husband—who was once their mother’s prized student.
As they prepare their dance studio’s annual Nutcracker performance, a mysterious accident and the arrival of an outsider disrupts the family’s carefully built exterior. A haunting story of family secrets, obsession, power and betrayal.
What Jenna says: “As a profound lover of mysteries…I love how Megan Abbott looks at the darker sides of things that we all remember, such as ballet classes as children.”
What other readers are saying: “This was my first Megan Abbott book and she definitely did not disappoint. This book was a page-turning thriller which constantly made me wonder how it was going to all turn out. Even when I tried to think of all of the outcomes, Ms. Abbott got the better of me. This book had a bunch of unexpected twists, and it also had some really deep moments too.”
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