Redallnite
04-06-02, 06:35PM
CHICAGO (CBS.MW) (http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?print=1&guid={7CDE3F30-C8EF-4A43-8E83-)
At least that was the essence of Oprah Winfrey's announcement Friday that her book club, which currently features her hugely influential recommendations each month, will start offering those picks only occasionally.
"It has become harder and harder to find a book on a monthly basis that I feel absolutely compelled to share," the celebrated talk-show host said in a statement. "I will continue featuring books on 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' when I feel they merit my heartfelt recommendation."
A spokeswoman at Winfrey's Harpo Productions said no statistics were available to track how many readers take Winfrey's advice each month, but many of the books touted on her highly-rated syndicated program have become bestsellers.
The club, which is devoted to fiction, boosted the sales of such books as "She's Come Undone," by Wally Lamb; "White Oleander," by Janet Fitch; and "The Bluest Eye," by Toni Morrison, one of a number of Morrison books recommended by Winfrey, who is a personal friend of the author.
Even nonfiction titles that aren't part of the club soared to fame after Winfrey cast them into the spotlight, including "A Return to Love," by Marianne Williamson; "Slaves in the Family," by Edward Ball; and "Life Strategies: Doing What Works, Doing What Matters," by Dr. Phil McGraw.
Indeed, McGraw became such a frequent and popular guest on the show that he's getting his own syndicated talk program this fall.
(OPRAH READ MORE BOOKS)
At least that was the essence of Oprah Winfrey's announcement Friday that her book club, which currently features her hugely influential recommendations each month, will start offering those picks only occasionally.
"It has become harder and harder to find a book on a monthly basis that I feel absolutely compelled to share," the celebrated talk-show host said in a statement. "I will continue featuring books on 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' when I feel they merit my heartfelt recommendation."
A spokeswoman at Winfrey's Harpo Productions said no statistics were available to track how many readers take Winfrey's advice each month, but many of the books touted on her highly-rated syndicated program have become bestsellers.
The club, which is devoted to fiction, boosted the sales of such books as "She's Come Undone," by Wally Lamb; "White Oleander," by Janet Fitch; and "The Bluest Eye," by Toni Morrison, one of a number of Morrison books recommended by Winfrey, who is a personal friend of the author.
Even nonfiction titles that aren't part of the club soared to fame after Winfrey cast them into the spotlight, including "A Return to Love," by Marianne Williamson; "Slaves in the Family," by Edward Ball; and "Life Strategies: Doing What Works, Doing What Matters," by Dr. Phil McGraw.
Indeed, McGraw became such a frequent and popular guest on the show that he's getting his own syndicated talk program this fall.
(OPRAH READ MORE BOOKS)