Jenna Bush Hager thought she was leading a sweet fifth-anniversary celebration for her book club — until the Today cameras pulled off a surprise that stopped her mid-sentence. Surrounded by cohosts, bestselling authors, and 63 beloved picks boxed for libraries nationwide, Jenna’s smile suddenly trembled as a familiar face appeared on the big screen with a message she never saw coming. In an instant, the bubbly book lover turned quiet, wiping away tears as the crowd fell into a hush and even her cohosts were left scrambling for words. What followed wasn’t just a congratulations — it was a deeply personal reminder of where Jenna’s love of reading began, and why this milestone means more than ratings, stickers, and streaming deals

Jenna Bush Hager experienced an unforgettable and emotional moment live on air when she received a surprise video message from her mother, former First Lady Laura Bush, celebrating the fifth anniversary of her Read with Jenna book club. The 42-year-old Today host was joined by co-stars Hoda Kotb, Craig Melvin, Carson Daly, and Al Roker during a special broadcast on the Today Plaza, where dozens of authors helped pack up all 63 of her book club selections to be donated to libraries across all 50 states.

As the crowd applauded and cameras rolled, Kotb teased a special surprise, saying, “You know who else is proud of you? Take a look.” Jenna’s face immediately softened as her mother appeared on screen. “Hi Jenna,” Laura began warmly. “As we celebrate Read Across America Day, I congratulate you on five years of the Read with Jenna book club. By sharing your favorite books, you’re inspiring more Americans to fall in love with reading. So here’s to another five years of happy reading. Love you.”

Tears filled Jenna’s eyes as she listened, visibly moved by her mother’s heartfelt praise. Wiping her face, she smiled and laughed through the emotion, joking, “That’s what reading does for your skin!” Her co-hosts chimed in with admiration — Carson Daly noted how “beautiful” Laura Bush looked, while Kotb gave her friend a proud “atta girl,” saying, “You started this, and it’s turned into a juggernaut. You’ve helped get America reading again.”

Jenna’s Read with Jenna book club, launched in 2019, has become a cultural phenomenon, responsible for turning 41 of its 63 picks into New York Times bestsellers and inspiring 32 TV or film adaptations. Her selections have built a loyal community of readers, and independent bookstores across the U.S., including McNally Jackson in New York City, have honored the milestone by showcasing all 63 titles in their displays.

The anniversary also aligned with National Read Across America Day, adding to the emotional weight of the celebration. To mark the occasion, Jenna shared five of her personal all-time favorite books — A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, Bel Canto by Ann Patchett, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, and The Secret History by Donna Tartt — playfully admitting she couldn’t include any of her club’s own picks because “that would be like choosing a favorite child.”

Reflecting on her lifelong love of books, Jenna said reading has always been her escape: “It’s how I calm down, how I detach, how I fall in love with other worlds. It’s how I empathize with people who are nothing like me.”

As the segment ended, Jenna stood surrounded by her colleagues, authors, and piles of books ready to travel across the country — a symbolic reminder of her mother’s legacy as a librarian and her own role in continuing that passion for literacy. It was a rare, full-circle moment — one that brought a morning show audience, and a mother and daughter, to tears.