In essence, the daytime queen of the talk shows has chosen a pair of Charles Dickens classics, A Tale of Two Cities and Great Expectations as the latest picks for her popular book club.
Oprah Winfrey said on Monday’s episode of ”The Oprah Winfrey Show” that she has never read Dickens before. Oprah Winfrey has decided that it is the best of times to tackle a Charles Dickens novel. Winfrey referred to the books and called them “timeless classics”. The media mogul announced her 65th book selection as two great novels, being issued in a single bound Penguin paperback edition, around 800 pages, with a list price of $20. The electronic version , also from Penguin sells for almost $8, which is expected to sell fast thanks to her endorsement. They can also be downloaded free through the newly launched Google book store.
According to Harpo Productions, Oprah’s book club has nearly two million online members. Her previous selection was the bestselling novel, Freedom. Winfrey has chosen older works before, including Leo Tolstoy’s “Anna Karenina” and John Steinbeck’s “East of Eden.” Her website recommends Dickens’ “David Copperfield,” noting it was a favorite of Tolstoy’s.
Winfrey began her book club segment, in which she selects novels for her viewers to read and discuss, back in 1996, starting with The Deep End of the Ocean by Jacquelyn Mitchard. As a result of her picks, many little-known authors and books have reaped millions in sales.
The Oprah Winfrey Show, which has been on the air for 25 years, will mark its final episode in 2011. The media mogul is launching her Oprah Winfrey Network on Jan. 1 and is expected to host a new prime-time show.