№ 01
“I have to say this will become a classic book, I just know it is true. And the reason is because the writing is so profoundly eloquent, but also familiar.” source
Media executive and host
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey founded Oprah's Book Club in 1996, and over nearly three decades it has become the single most powerful recommendation in American publishing. A pick from Oprah can turn an unknown novel into a million-copy bestseller. Every title below is an official selection.
25
Recommendations
2026
Most recent list
Literary Fiction
Most-recommended
On the record
All Oprah Winfrey book recommendations.
№ 02
“I believe everybody who has a mother, and everybody who is a mother is going to love this story.” source
№ 03
“Elizabeth Strout welcomes us home again, back to the small town where we witness the interconnection of all the characters we've ever loved in her previous novels. It's a beautiful read reminding us that there is extraordinary love in ordinary actions.” source
№ 04
“David takes us on an extraordinary journey that brilliantly interweaves history, philosophy, adventure and mysticism to explore the meaning of love, friendship and living your life's true purpose.” source
№ 05
“I had so many mixed emotions reading this novel. I was captivated. A wonderful page-turner to start your summer reading.” source
№ 06
“We witness how both the mind and spirit are vital to her survival.” source
№ 07
“It's basically a love story gone wrong.” source
№ 08
“So one of the great joys for me is finding new authors. And I am so thrilled to introduce you to a debut author with his debut book, 'The Sweetness of Water,' by Nathan Harris.” source
№ 09
“This might be the most important book I've ever chosen for my book club.” source
№ 10
“In a moment when our country roils with righteous anger and grief, Deacon King Kong reminds us that when we come together as a community in compassion and empathy, our love triumphs.” source
№ 11
“Let me tell you, it's a true story about a family with 12 children where six of the boys develop schizophrenia.” source
№ 12
“Ah, Olive. She teaches us so much about loneliness, judgment, aging, and loss. And empathy, too. I'm in awe of Strout's ability to convey so much in so few words.” source
№ 13
“It is one of the best books I have ever read in my entire life. Right up there in the Top 5.” source
№ 14
“a turn of phrase, or a sentence that's so good you just want to spoon-feed every word to yourself” source
№ 15
“I started to read it and I couldn't put it down.” source
№ 16
“I have to tell you, it is intriguing. It's a love story that also has a huge layer of suspense.” source
№ 17
“It's everything our culture is grappling with right now, at least many of the things about race and class, about the economy, immigration, the dangers of us versus them mentality.” source
№ 18
“I was blown away by it. 'Blown away' is an often used expression, but with this book, it was to the point of sometimes putting it down and saying, 'I can't read anymore.'” source
№ 19
“When critics refer to the great American novel, I think, this is it, people!” source
№ 20
“I was on the edge of my seat reading the book and I was like, 'Where is The Oprah Winfrey Show when you need to announce and tell everybody about this book? I need the book club.'” source
№ 21
“a gut-wrenching memoir that is raw and it's so real” source
№ 22
“The perfect book for the summer.” source
№ 23
Oprah's Book Club selection number 24, picked in February 1999. The German novel about guilt and a postwar relationship became a worldwide bestseller after her choice. source
№ 24
“In 1997, I called Wally Lamb to tell him I wanted to choose his book 'She's Come Undone' as an Oprah's Book Club selection.” source
№ 25
“It's an intense tale that really is a mother's worst nightmare. A lot of you who are mothers think you can't read the book at first, but you really can, trust me.” source
Readers with overlapping taste
