Oprah's Book Club started as a feature on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 1996 and has become one of of the most influential forces in publishing. When Talk Show Host Oprah Winfrey announces a book club selection on her show, the book's sales often push into the millions. This phenomenon has become known as "the Oprah effect."
In the early years, the Oprah Book Club covered as many as 11 books in one year. In 2002, Oprah decided to suspend her book club. She started it up again in 2003 with a focus on classic literature. In 2005, Oprah decided to include contemporary titles in her Book Club once again, starting with James Frey's A Million Little Pieces. The Oprah Book Club covers fewer titles now than in the beginning. In 2006, there was only one Oprah Book Club book.
What Does the Oprah Book Club Look Like?
When Oprah selects a book, she features discussion of the book on her show and often includes other segments, such as author interviews and high school essay contests. She may use the book as a launching point for other features, such as her trip to Auschwitz in 2006 with Elie Wiesel.
Additionally, Oprah provides a number of online resources about whatever book she has chosen, including discussion forums, video lectures of professors, discussion guides, and questions & answer sessions with the author.
How do I Join Oprah's Book Club?
You can sign up for Oprah's Book Club for free at her Web site. When you sign up, you will have access to Oprah's online resources. You will also receive a 10% discount on purchases of Oprah's Book Club books from amazon.com
What Books has Oprah Selected for her Book Club?
- Find a complete list of Oprah's Book Club books by year here.
- Here is the latest Oprah's Book Club selection
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