Oprah Winfrey Book Club

The Book Lover's Cookbook

2007-08-13T07:42:33Z

Of course the primary motivation for joining a book club is to engage in the joy of reading and stimulating discussion of the selections. The social aspect is a wonderful additional benefit and depending on the size and nature of your local book club, blending an evening of cooking and eating with such a great group of friends is quite simply a fabulous combination. One of our favorite selections to consult from time to time is The Book Lover's Cookbook. The Book Lover's Cookbook: Recipes Inspired by Celebrated Works of Literature, and the Passages That Feature Them by Shaunda Kennedy Wenger and Janet Jensen This cookbook is a great selection if you've ever wanted to recreate food that has been inspired by your favorite books. Wenger and Jensen, both chefs and voracious readers, have developed almost 200 recipes inspired by a great variety of literature. The recipes are accompanied by passages and quotations from authors about food and writing. This is a great book for any bibliophile who enjoys cooking. The authors feature a variety of food that spans both book genre and eras. There are no pictures in the book, but that should be no problem as readers tend to have fantastic imaginations. Some of our favorite recipes have been: Orange-Poppy Seed Tea Cakes Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest Catch Em To Eat Em Chicken and Dumplings Fannie Flagg, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe Aunt Petunia's Baked Custard Pudding J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Island Strawberries and Cream David Guterson, Snow Falling On Cedars]]>

In The Beginning: Oprah's Book Club

2007-08-11T21:18:29Z

Practically everyone has heard about Oprah's Book Club, but unless you've been properly introduced, it may be confusing to understand exactly what the Oprah Winfrey Book Club is and how can you participate. Here's how it all started and how it grew to become one of the largest forces in publishing history. History Of Oprah's Book Club Oprah's Book Club originated as a feature on The Oprah Winfrey Show on September 17, 1996 when Oprah introduced her first book club selection, "The Deep End Of The Ocean" that she invited her viewers to read along with her reading club. She chose fiction titles regularly and invited the author and a few select viewers to join her on-stage for an intimate discussion of the book. In the first years of Oprah's Book Club, there were as many as eleven books covered in one year. The book club has been cited as the reason why many publishers now create reading guides for books as a method to appeal to book club readers whether the books have been chosen by Oprah or not. In the fall of 2001, author Johnathan Franzen made a stir when his book "The Corrections" was named as a selection for Oprah's Book Club. In several interviews, he expressed concern about how being selected to the popular mainstream book club may affect his status in the "high-art literary tradition" and that the Oprah logo that would be placed on his book cover could be construed as a "corporate" endorsement. Oprah promptly withdrew the offer, saying she was sorry if Franzen was uncomfortable with the selection. In April 2002, Oprah decided to put the Oprah Book Club on hold. "It has become harder and harder to find books on a monthly basis that I feel absolutely compelled to share." she said in a statement. " I will continue to feature books on the 'Oprah Winfrey Show' when I feel they merit my heartfelt recommendation.". Then, in June 2003, Oprah started the Book Club up again with a focus on classic literature. The first title selected was John Steinbeck's East of Eden and as the 47th selection of Oprah's Book Club, East of Eden skyrocketed to the top of bestseller lists everywhere. With the relaunch in 2003, Oprah set her sights on creating the biggest Book Club in the world, and invited viewers to join Oprah's Book Club online at Oprah.com. Once in the online Book Club, members could access in-depth study guides, expert Q and A and meet other readers from around the world to discuss books with In 2005, Oprah began including contemporary titles in her Book Club again. The first contemporary title was James Frey's A Million Little Pieces. This selection proved to garner possibly more attention than any of her previous books after it was revealed that the book that purported to be a memoir but the author was outed for embellishing and making up events. Oprah pulled the book from her list and confronted the author and his publisher on The Oprah Winfrey Show to demand an explanation. The Pulitzer Prize winning Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides, the best-selling author of The Virgin Suicides, is the June 2007 selection for Oprah's Book Club. Middlesex is the story of a gene that passes down through three generations of a Greek-American family and flowers in the body of Calliope Stephanides. Begin reading the first chapter of Middlesex. ]]>

Reasons To Join A Book Club

2007-08-11T19:17:52Z

Remember when Oprah Winfrey made it cool to be part of a book club over ten years ago? Book clubs aren't just for the academic type, they can be a great opportunity to meet new people, partake in spirited discussions and read books you would usually pass over. Even if you aren't interested in joining the famed Oprah's Book Club, joining a local book club or reading group can be the catalyst to spice up your life. Reading New Books The book selections in a book club are often chosen by majority vote or by members on a turn basis. When you belong to a book club, you will most likely end up reading books that you would not normally pick up. It's a great way to try out new authors, genres or categories of books and, if you give the book a try and just can't finish, no one is grading your performance. Either way, you've tried a new experience and learned from it. Motivation To Read Belonging to a formalized book club that meets regularly forces you to read the book selections in the alloted time and be prepared for discussing the material. It also gives you "permission" to read, since you do have an assignment and due date. Discussing Books Equally important in a book club is the discussion that takes place once everyone has read the book. It's incredibly stimulating to debate viewpoints and listen to how others have interpreted the book you have just finished. Being able to express your thoughts in this type of open forum helps you develop solid communication and social skills. Social Networking Finally, belonging to a diverse group exposes you to new people from many walks of life. Many book clubs often meet over snacks, dinner or plan recreational activities that may or may not be related to the books you are reading.You have the opportunity to forge friendships with people you may not otherwise come into contact with. ]]>

General Discussion Questions For Memoirs

2007-08-10T22:51:52Z

Memoirs can be fun book selections for reading groups to take on and are generally a quick read. We've put together a list of questions that we've used in the past for discussing memoirs, like Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat Pray Love, in our book club discussions. Use the questions to supplement the official reading guides or when you're planning your next book club discussion featuring a memoir. Discussion Questions About The Author

Why do you think the author wanted to share his or her life experiences?
How was the book structured? Did the author use structured or narrative techniques, like multiple voices or flashbacks to tell the story? How did this affect your reading and enjoyment of the book?
Did the author tell his story with a particular purpose in mind, for instance to explain the choices he made or to inspire others to act? How did that affect you as the reader?
What is the author's writing style? What did you like/not like about it? How did it affect the story? Was there a particular quality that was unique in this author's writing style?
Have each member read one of their favorite selections out loud and explain why it resonated with them.
How did the story make you feel? Inspired, touched, sad, happy, disturbed? Do you think this was the author's intent?
What is the author's descriptive style? Does he describe every detail or does he prefer to be more abstract? How did this affect your reading of the book?
Did the author give you enough background information to give context to the story? Was this information given all at once or was it woven into the story?
Did reading this memoir affect your view of the author in any way? Is he someone you would want to meet?

General Discussion Questions

For the person who selected the book: What made you want to read this book? Did it live up to your expectations? How do you think the book club received it?
Compare this book to others we have read. How is it similar or dissimilar? Did you like it more or less?
Rate this book on a scale of 1 - 5. Would you recommend it to friends? Did it make you want to read more books by this author?
Is this a book you would go back and read again and again? What is your lasting impression of the book? What will be your strongest recollection of the book when someone asks you about a year from now?

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General Discussion Questions For Fiction

2007-08-10T22:33:12Z

Here is our list of questions that we've developed over the years to use in our book club discussions. Use them to supplement your reading guides or as inspiration to create new questions specific to your book club reading selection. Discussion Questions About Structure and Writing Style

What themes did the author emphasize throughout the novel. What do you think he was trying to get across to the reader?
How was the book structured? Did the author use structured or narrative techniques, like multiple voices or flashbacks to tell the story? How did this affect your reading and enjoyment of the book?
From who's point of view was the story told from? How would it have been different if told from another character's viewpoint?
What is the author's writing style? What did you like/not like about it? How did it affect the story? Was there a particular quality that was unique in this author's writing style?
Have each member read one of their favorite selections out loud and explain why it resonated with them.
How did the story make you feel? Inspired, touched, sad, happy, disturbed? Do you think this was the author’s intent?
What is the author's descriptive style? Does he describe every detail or does he prefer to be more abstract? How did this affect your reading of the book?
Did the author give you enough background information to give context to the story? Was this information given all at once or was it woven into the story?

Discussion Questions About Characters And Setting

Were the characters and their issues believable? If not, why? What character/s could you relate to and why?
Talk about the secondary characters; were they important to the story? Did any stand out for you?
Discuss how the author uses dialogue in the story. Does it vary depending on the character? Is it realistic? How does it contribute to the story or character development?
What was the location in the book? Was it important to the story? How did the author's description of the setting affect your reading?
Is the time period the story is set in crucial to the telling of the story? How did the author convey to the reader the era the story was set in? Was he successful?

Discussion Questions About Plot

What was more important in the book - the characters or the plot?
Did the characters' actions move the plot forward or were the characters driven by the plot?
Were the events that moved the plot forward believable? What events in the story were memorable for you? Which events didn't work and took you out of the story?
Did the author allude to events or outcomes at the beginning of the book? How did this affect your reading enjoyment?

General Discussion Questions

For the person who selected the book: What made you want to read this book? Did it live up to your expectations? How do you think the book club received it?
Compare this book to others we have read. How is it similar or dissimilar? Did you like it more or less?
Rate this book on a scale of 1 - 5. Would you recommend it to friends? Did it make you want to read more books by this author?
Is this a book you would go back and read again and again? What is your lasting impression of the book? What will be your strongest recollection of the book when someone asks you about a year from now?

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Starting A Book Club

2007-08-09T02:34:38Z

Starting a book club in your community can be very rewarding and it enables you and the members to tailor things, like the reading selections and meeting times, to your own preferences. Craigs List. Once you have a solid group of people who are interested in joining your new book club, spend some time developing guidelines for the group. The best time to do this is at your first official meeting. Here is a list of things you’ll want to discuss and decide for your club: Establishing Your Book Club Guidelines How often will the reading group meet (once a month, twice a month) When will the group meet (the first Wednesday of the month at 7:30pm) Where will the group meet (member’s homes, restaurant, library) How will books be selected What is the goal for the discussions Once the group agrees on the "who, what, where and how" of the newly formed book club, it's time to consider the discussion aspect of your reading group. Members can take turns leading the discussion either using a reading group guide or, if no guide is available for the book selection, using a general set of questions and topics to guide the discussion. As your book club matures, you may look to bring in guest speakers, perhaps a professor from a local university, or a professional discussion leader to help lead your group through a lively discussion. Integrating social activities, like traveling to the setting of a book or having a dinner party with dishes inspired by the current selection, are also fun inventive ways to make your book club enjoyable. Click here to see our General Questions and Topics for Book Club Discussions Click here for free reading guides available to use in your book club discussions ]]>

What Is A Book Club

2007-08-06T08:56:29Z

A book club, or reading group, is a group of people who get together to discuss a book they have all read. Book clubs can meet regularly in person, or have a virtual relationship using the Internet where discussions are held using email or forums. In the traditional sense, book clubs are organized groups of readers that get together to discuss the books they/ve read. Prior to the internet, most book clubs met in person at a public location, like a library, coffee house or community center, or at someone's house. Because traditional book clubs tend to be smaller in size, they are a very social experience, and offer readers an atmosphere to partake in personal and intimate discussions. Because traditional book clubs are often made up of a small group of people, the members usually have an opportunity to weigh in on the book club reading selection. The book of choice can be chosen either by members voting on a list of titles, or by members taking turns selecting a book for the group to read. In contrast, online book clubs can be made up of tens or hundreds of members that participate on various levels. Many readers find that online book clubs fit their lifestyle better. Because discussions happen with forums, groups or by email, participating is much more flexible as members are not required to be in a particular place at a precise time. One of the biggest benefits of online book clubs is the endless variety of reading groups with specialized interests or a genre focus that are available. Depending on the club, membership can be range from a handful of readers to hundreds or even thousands active members, with participants living around the world. This presents the opportunity to interact with diverse views and perspectives that may not be represented in a traditional community book club. The Oprah's Book Club reinvigorated the book club movement over 14 years ago, and inspired many people who had not read in years to make time to celebrate the joy of reading. We were inspired to share our experiences in forming a book club and put together the OprahWinfreyBookClub.com to help others interested in participating in reading groups have the best possible book club experience possible.

Complete List of Books Chosen for Oprah's Book Club

2007-08-03T17:03:58Z

If you're just getting started with your book club or with your own personal reading adventure, a great place to begin finding books others have found enjoyable are the selections Oprah Winfrey has made over the past 10 years for Oprah's Book Club. You'll find the complete list of books she has recommended to millions of readers listed here, categorized by year. 2007:

The Measure of a Man by Sidney Poitier
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

2006:

Night by Elie Wiesel

2005:

A Million Little Pieces by James Frey
As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner
A Light in August by William Faulkner

2004:

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcarquez
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck

2003:

East of Eden by John Steinbeck
Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton

2002:

Sula by Toni Morrison
Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald

2001:

A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen
Cane River by Lalita Tademy
Stolen Lives: Twenty Years in a Desert Jail by Malika Oufkir
Icy Sparks by Gwyn Hyman Rubio
We Were The Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates

2000:

House of Sand and Fog by by Andre Dubus III
Drowning Ruth by Christina Schwarz
Open House by Elizabeth Berg
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
While I Was Gone by Sue Miller
The Bluest Eyes by Toni Morrison
Back Roads by Tawni O'Dell
Daughter of Fortune by Isabelle Allende
Gap Creek by Robert Morgan

1999:

A Map of the World by Jane Hamilton
Vinegar Hill by A. Manette Ansay
River, Cross My Heart by Breena Clarke
Tara Road by Maeve Binchy
Mother of Pearl by Melinda Haynes
White Oleander by Janet Fitch
The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve
The Reader by Bernhard Schlink
Jewel by Bret Lott

1998:

Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts
Midwives by Chris Bohjalian
What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day by Pearl Cleage
I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb
Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat
Black and Blue by Anna Quindlen
Here on Earth by Alice Hoffman
Paradise by Toni Morrison

1997:

The Meanest Thing to Say by Bill Cosby
The Treasure Hunt by Bill Cosby
The Best Way to Play by Bill Cosby
Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons
A Virtuous Woman by Kaye Gibbons
A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest Gaines
Songs in Ordinary Time by Marry McGarry Morris
The Heart of a Woman by Maya Angelou
The Rapture of Canaan by Sheri Reynolds
Stones from the River by Ursula Hegi
She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb

1996:

The Book of Ruth by Jane Hamilton
Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
The Deep End of the Ocean by by Jacquelyn Mitchard

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Our Inspiration - Oprah's Book Club

2007-08-03T16:56:28Z

Back in 1996, we were inspired by Oprah Winfrey when she introduced a new part of her television show called Oprah's Book Club. It focused on many different kinds of books, including new releases, classics and obscure novels that she had grown to love. We formed a small book club that began reading and discussing the books she recommended, like many of the women who tuned into the Oprah Winfrey Show each week. As Oprah chose works of fiction and invited the author and select viewers to join her in open discussion, we followed along within our own book club. Resources Business Week - Why Oprah Opens Readers' Wallets
Oprah's Book Club to Add Contemporary Writers ]]>