On October 6, 2026, television host Jenna Bush Hager announced Barbara Kingsolver’s new novel, Partita, as her official October 2026 “Read With Jenna” book club pick. Hager praised the Pulitzer Prize-winning author, describing her as one of her all-time favorite writers and placing her on her personal “Mt. Rushmore of writers.”
The novel serves as a highly anticipated follow-up to Kingsolver’s 2023 Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Demon Copperhead. Centered around a main character named Livia Cable-who previously lived as a gifted pianist named Livia Bohusz at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University-the story explores identity, love, and unexpected second chances.
Plot and Themes of ‘Partita’
The narrative opens with a heavy emotional burden as Livia faces the sudden loss of her brother, setting off a journey to pick up the broken pieces of her life. Years later, living a quiet existence on a farm, Livia receives an unexpected phone call from a former romance from her college piano-studying days. This reconnection forces her to confront her past and question how her life has evolved compared to her initial expectations.
The book’s title refers to a partita, a musical composition structured in parts. This structural and thematic motif mirrors the dual-timeline storytelling and the way Livia’s life breaks apart and reconstructs itself. Hager noted during her announcement that the novel intimately explores what makes life beautiful and reflects a profound quote by Toni Morrison found in the epilogue: “Sometimes you don’t survive whole. You just survive in part. But the grandeur in life is that attempt.”
Early Reader Reception and Goodreads Impact
Ahead of its publication, early copies of Partita circulated among avid readers on Goodreads, generating immediate acclaim. Reviewers highlighted the novel’s classical-music vocabulary, musical chapter structuring, and deeply relatable exploration of making major life decisions.
One Goodreads reviewer praised the book as a “stunningly beautifully written, heartbreaking novel” filled with passages that hit close to home, while another commended Kingsolver’s ability to keep readers second-guessing through powerful prose and emotional depth. Readers and critics alike have positioned the release among the top literary fiction offerings of the year.
Read With Jenna Book Club Legacy
Since launching the “Read With Jenna” book club in March 2019, TODAY show host Jenna Bush Hager has regularly spotlighted works designed to spark community conversation and emotional connection. Selections range from contemporary fiction to deeply moving memoirs, frequently achieving bestseller status upon announcement.
Readers following along with the October 2026 selection can participate in community discussions across the official Read With Jenna Instagram, Facebook group, and Goodreads community. Copies of Partita are available nationwide wherever books are sold, with independent bookstore purchases supported via platforms like Bookshop.
Frequently Asked Questions About ‘Partita’ and the Selection
What is the official release date of ‘Partita’ by Barbara Kingsolver?
Partita was officially published and selected as the October 2026 Read With Jenna book club pick on October 6, 2026.
What is the plot of ‘Partita’?
The novel follows Livia Cable, a former classical pianist living quietly on a farm, whose life is upended by the loss of her brother and a sudden phone call from a college-era romance decades after they first met.
Why is the book titled ‘Partita’?
A partita is a musical composition in multiple parts. The title reflects both the musical terminology woven throughout the book and how Livia’s life is divided into distinct, fragmented chapters.
What did Jenna Bush Hager say about Barbara Kingsolver?
Jenna Bush Hager called Kingsolver one of her “all-time favorite” writers and stated that she belongs on her personal “Mt. Rushmore of writers.”
How can readers join the Read With Jenna discussion?
Readers can engage with the community through the official Read With Jenna Instagram account, Facebook group, and dedicated Goodreads group.
