In a recent episode of The Reader’s Digest Escalator Interview, bestselling author Jenny Jackson shared insights about her newest novel, The Shampoo Effect. Jackson, known for her previous hit Pineapple Street, also serves as the vice president and editorial director of fiction at Alfred A. Knopf.
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Pineapple Street, released in 2023, quickly gained popularity and was selected as a Good Morning America Book Club pick, winning praise for its exploration of privilege and family dynamics in Brooklyn Heights. Jackson's latest offering, The Shampoo Effect, is a Read with Jenna pick that tells the story of Caroline Lash, a short story writer who relocates to the coastal town of Greenhead, Massachusetts. There, she finds herself entangled with Van Whittaker and his close-knit group of friends. As Caroline navigates their lively lifestyle, she discovers a complication: Van's ex-girlfriend is pregnant with his child. Jackson describes the situation as leading Caroline to act in a moment of intense emotion.
Despite her busy career in publishing, Jackson emphasizes her goal of infusing joy into her writing. She believes that humor and hope can coexist with the complex emotions and flawed characters she explores in her novels.
In her interview with Leigh Belz Ray at a Barnes & Noble in New York City, Jackson discussed The Shampoo Effect, her current reading preferences, and her views on less recognized literary genres. The full interview is available to watch below. For those interested, you can also find her books and reading recommendations following the interview.