Hey everybody, it's the holiday season, and as 2025 comes to an end, we're taking a look back at some of our favorite reads and the literary trends that defied the year. We're also looking ahead to the books we can't wait to dive into in 2026.

I sat down with my friend, author, and fellow book lover, Isaac Fitzgerald, to get some of his

favorite book recommendations.

Isaac is a New York Times best-selling author, and his new book, American Rambler, comes out

in May 26.

In it, he sets off across the heart of America following the path of the legendary Johnny Appleseed.

Isaac and I share our tips for building a reading habit in the new year, our favorite books of the year, and titles we're most excited about in 2020.

I'm Jenna Bush-Hager.

Welcome to my podcast, Open Book, with Jenna.

2020, here we are.

Yes.

It's ending.

It's ending.

I know, but it's okay.

It's been a year that maybe it's time to go ahead and say goodbye to and look forward.

To 2026. To what's coming next.

Yeah.

Just to start, you're a prolific reader.

You read to blurb, you read to review, you read for fun and pleasure.

There was a study that came up this year that depressed me that said people are reading less than ever.

So for parents listening or for people that are like, gosh, all I do is scroll, do you have any personal tips that you use to stay on it? First off, I absolutely do. And it was new to me this year. We've talked in the past. I have a tendency. I try to put my, like, phone in a box or a drawer. And then I'll go into a separate room. And I have a room and I'm very lucky.

I love my little house and I have a little room that just has a little chair and there's no

...