Dive into the literary world of Oprah Winfrey, Talk Show Host & TV Producer.

Oprah Winfrey is a media mogul, actress, producer, and philanthropist, widely respected as one of the most influential women in the world. Born into poverty in rural Mississippi in 1954 and later raised in an inner-city Milwaukee neighborhood, Oprah faced numerous hardships early in life. Yet, she turned these challenges into motivators, eventually becoming the host of "The Oprah Winfrey Show." The show, which aired for 25 years, broke records and became the highest-rated television program of its kind in history, reshaping the landscape of talk show entertainment with its focus on literature, self-improvement, and spirituality.

Books were my pass to personal freedom. I learned to read at age three, and soon discovered there was a whole world to conquer that went beyond our farm in Mississippi.❞ — Oprah Winfrey

Oprah's love for reading is profound and well-documented; she has been an ardent advocate for books throughout her career, believing deeply in their power to educate, inspire, and transform lives. In 1996, she launched Oprah's Book Club, which quickly grew to become a hugely influential force in the publishing world. Her selections often catapulted authors to bestseller status and introduced readers to a diverse range of stories and perspectives. Oprah's personal reading list spans across genres, including works of fiction, memoirs, and spiritual guides, reflecting her broad interests and commitment to personal growth and understanding.

Oprah Winfrey's Favorite Books

Last Updated: May 2024

There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyonce

Morgan Parker's collection of poetry uses political and feminist themes to explore contemporary black American womanhood through vibrant and satirical verse.

Sula

Toni Morrison's novel explores the complex friendship between two women, Nel and Sula, from childhood through their diverging paths as adults in a small, tightly-knit African American community, dealing with themes of betrayal, race, and identity.

What Looks Like Crazy On an Ordinary Day

Pearl Cleage's novel follows a woman returning to her small hometown in Michigan after a HIV diagnosis, where she rekindles old relationships and starts new beginnings amidst the challenges of her health and community issues.

Becoming

Michelle Obama's memoir offers an intimate look at her life, from her childhood in Chicago to her years as First Lady of the United States, highlighting the experiences that shaped her.
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The Deep End of the Ocean

Jacquelyn Mitchard's novel centers on the heart-wrenching disappearance of a three-year-old boy and the impact of his loss and unexpected return on his family, exploring themes of motherhood, trauma, and reconciliation.

One Hundred Years of Solitude

Gabriel García Márquez's epic novel chronicles the rise and fall of the Buendía family in the mythical town of Macondo, blending magical realism with a poignant commentary on the solitude and the vicissitudes of human nature.

Olive, Again: A Novel

In this sequel to "Olive Kitteridge," Elizabeth Strout continues the life story of the blunt, complex Olive as she grapples with changes in her Maine community and navigates the challenges of aging and new relationships.

The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter

Carson McCullers' debut novel explores the deep loneliness and interconnected lives of a deaf man and the people he meets in a small Georgia town during the 1930s, revealing the inner workings of human emotion and longing.

Black and Blue: A Novel

Anna Quindlen's intense novel follows Fran Benedetto, who must escape with her son to begin a new life under new identities after enduring years of abuse from her police officer husband.

Jewel

Bret Lott's novel tells the story of Jewel and her family over several decades in rural Mississippi, focusing particularly on her relationship with her daughter who has Down syndrome, exploring themes of love, sacrifice, and the pursuit of happiness.

Open House: A Novel

Elizabeth Berg's touching story of Samantha Morrow, a woman who must reinvent her life by taking in boarders after her husband leaves her, ultimately finding a path to her own resilience and happiness.
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