Moroccan-American writer Laila Lalami’s The Dream Hotel is the March selection for Jenna Bush Hager’s popular book club, Read With Jenna. Hager, daughter of former U.S. President George W. Bush, features her book club selections and their authors as part of her segment Jenna and Friends in the fourth hour of the TODAY show. Hager shared her love for this novel and its compelling dystopian themes, particularly its exploration of technological surveillance.
Throughout March, Read With Jenna’s Instagram page was buzzing with excitement for the novel, engaging readers and offering insights into Lalami’s world. Hager emphasized how The Dream Hotel reflects society’s increasing reliance on technology and the surveillance that comes with it. She even posted a thought-provoking question to her followers: “What is your relationship with technology like? Do you ever question how you’re being tracked in your day-to-day life?” This sparked a conversation about privacy and the constant monitoring many people unknowingly face.
Leading up to her appearance on the show, the author shared her excitement about the book selection in a statement. She appeared in posts sharing that she wanted readers to think about the ways they’re surveilled in their everyday lives, offering her personal approach to lowering screen time.
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Lalami also revealed that a Google notification inspired the novel, adding a layer of real-world influence to her work.
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The Dream Hotel has captured the attention of many readers, thanks to Hager’s platform, which continues to introduce books to a wide audience, including those unfamiliar with Lalami’s work.
Lalami joined Hager on March 26 for a live Q&A where she shared her vision behind the book. You can watch a clip of her appearance here!
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