Confirming my powers of prognostication, it has been announced that the latest pick of Oprah's book club is indeed The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski. If only my handicapping skills were this acute when I go to the track...
In the comments section of that previous post, Michael P. asks:
Could someone explain to me why anyone other than the author and publisher would give a rat's ass what Oprah's latest pick is?
Because tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of ardent Oprahmaniacs are going to rush out and buy the book -- for no other reason than she recommended it. She is the single most powerful force in American publishing encouraging people to buy books.
Short of James Patterson and Dan Brown co-writing a sequel to The DaVinci Code, Oprah is top dog.
I normally don't read Oprah's picks. There were only 2 of her picks that I have read. Her book choices I could do without. So I am one of those rare people who doesn't read Oprah's picks.
Posted by: Karen Terry | September 19, 2008 at 03:02 PM
I don't think I've read any Oprah books... But admittedly, I don't know what they all were, so it's possible I read one unknowingly.
Posted by: David J. Montgomery | September 19, 2008 at 03:12 PM
Karen, you are not so rare. I have advertently read a couple of Oprah's picks, but I usually avoid them like the plague. Now I worry because this book is on my TBR pile. Should I read it or sell it now?
Posted by: Cheryl | September 19, 2008 at 03:30 PM
Oprah = fraud.
Posted by: Guyot | September 19, 2008 at 09:20 PM
It's certainly had a very bad influence on what is being published -- and perhaps most frightening -- on the taste of readers.
As far as I can tell, it's been all about women, especially suffering women being strong. A very narrow view of life!
Posted by: I.J.Parker | September 20, 2008 at 10:09 AM
She gets points for picking The Road
Posted by: Cameron Hughes | September 22, 2008 at 03:26 PM