Hoda Kotb shares six favorite books ahead of Jump and Find Joy release

Hoda Kotb, the former Today show host, has shared six books that have guided and inspired her, tying the list to her new release Jump and Find Joy, which hit shelves on Sept. 23. The six titles were disclosed for Page Six's Page-Turners feature, which asks celebrities to name the books that keep them hooked, inspired and up all night.

Her six favorites span spirituality, reflection, reinvention, and suspense, underscoring a reading palate that blends inward focus with outward curiosity. The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer is described as a guide to quieting the inner voice and moving toward a more peaceful mind. Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh, written in the 1950s, is celebrated for its timeless message about rest and reflection, a mood Kotb says resonates whether she’s by the shore or in between interviews. After the Rain by Jane Lorenzini places a shy woman at the center of a journey of life changes set against Old Florida. Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch is a series Kotb keeps in her bag, a collection that explores what God might say in various settings and situations. With a Vengeance by Riley Sager appears as a juicy mystery that keeps the reader guessing, while I Am Maria by Maria Shriver offers a window into a life and self-definition beyond family and romantic relationships.

Kotb has explained to Page Six that her six picks reflect a broader philosophy: she writes books she’d want to read herself — books that are informative, interesting and inspirational enough that readers will want to share them with loved ones. Jump and Find Joy, she notes, is “one of those books” and aims to help people discover joy in everyday life.

The list also illustrates a through-line across her reading: a blend of self-reflection, resilience and a flair for storytelling. In conversations around her new project, Kotb has described Jump and Find Joy as a continuation of her mission to offer accessible wisdom and encouragement to readers navigating busy lives. Conversations with God, kept handy for moments between engagements, underscores how reading travels with her and fuels her work as a public-facing voice in culture and entertainment.

The Page Six feature situates Kotb’s six choices within a broader context of celebrity reading lists that mix personal growth with entertainment. The books she selects—notably a mindfulness classic, a seaside meditation and a modern thriller—reflect a balanced appetite for introspection and escapism. By inviting readers to peek into her bag of favorites, Kotb signals that reading remains a practical companion for daily life, not just a hobby for leisure time. The release of Jump and Find Joy adds a timely frame to the conversation, giving fans a closer look at the author’s own sources of inspiration.

As the culture and entertainment landscape continues to highlight the connections between what celebrities read and how they live, Kotb’s six picks offer a portrait of a public figure who values growth, curiosity and resilience. They also reinforce a trend in Page Six’s Page-Turners series: books that inform, uplift and entertain, chosen by stars who want to share that influence with others. The public can find more context on the discussion surrounding Jump and Find Joy and Kotb’s reading list in coverage from the publication that first spotlighted the conversation.

For fans following Kotb’s literary journey, the six titles provide both a snapshot of her tastes and a suggested reading path for a season focused on personal growth and storytelling. The books she champions—culminating in her own narrative of finding joy—exemplify how reading can inform daily life, spark reflection and offer a sense of shared human experience. The full synopsis of her selections, and the context around Jump and Find Joy, continue to resonate with audiences seeking accessible, motivational storytelling in culture and entertainment.