Oprah Winfrey rose from poverty to become one of the most influential media personalities in history through her groundbreaking daytime talk show that ran for 25 years. She leveraged her platform to champion books and authors, making her book club selections cultural touchstones. Her recommendations span intimate memoirs to challenging literary works that explore resilience and the human condition.
90 Books Recommended by Oprah Winfrey
Ranked by popularity across all reading lists on this site
Anna Karenina
12 people recommendedrecommended 2x[The author] weaves an extravagant web.
[The author] weaves an extravagant web.
Also recommended by: Osho, Peter Thiel, Sam Altman, Chelsea Handler, Austen Allred, Bret Easton Ellis, Ernest Hemingway, Jen Wilkin, Jennifer Lawrence, Jordan Peterson, Laura R Walker
As steamy, dense and sensual as the jungle that surrounds the surreal town of Macondo!
As steamy, dense and sensual as the jungle that surrounds the surreal town of Macondo!
Also recommended by: Richard Branson, Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, Cal Fussman, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Christopher Hitchens, Fred Wilson, Neil Strauss, Shashi Tharoor
The Road
8 people recommendedrecommended 2xUnlike any book I have chosen.
Unlike any book I have chosen.
Also recommended by: Aubrey Marcus, Charlize Theron, Jocko Willink, Joel Mchale, Lex Fridman, Ryan Holiday, Sam Hinkie
Lean In
8 people recommendedHonest and brave... The new manifesto for women in the workplace.
Also recommended by: Mark Zuckerberg, John Doerr, Richard Branson, Alicia Keys, Arianna Huffington, Jim Collins, Mindy Kaling
The Untethered Soul
8 people recommendedrecommended 2xOne of my new favorite books.
One of my new favorite books.
Also recommended by: Naval Ravikant, Daniel Gross, Danny Miranda, Deepak Chopra, Russell Brand, Ryan Hoover, Tony Robbins
Such a beautiful book. I love this book.
Such a beautiful book. I love this book.
Also recommended by: Jk Rowling, Amelia Boone, Christopher Hitchens, Mahatma Gandhi, Maya Angelou, Derek Sivers
An American Marriage
5 people recommendedrecommended 2xThe perfect book to read along with a friend or family member.
The perfect book to read along with a friend or family member.
Also recommended by: Bill Gates, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Shauna Niequist
Wild
5 people recommendedrecommended 2xAbout the difference between deciding to do something and really having to do it.
About the difference between deciding to do something and really having to do it.
Also recommended by: Emma Watson, Liz Lambert, Shane Parrish, Tim Ferriss
Song of Solomon
5 people recommendedrecommended 2xFills me with admiration and awe.
Fills me with admiration and awe.
Also recommended by: Barack Obama, Bozoma Saint John, Jesse Williams, Michelle Obama
East of Eden
5 people recommendedrecommended 2xSo rich and full of drama you won't be able to turn the pages fast enough!
So rich and full of drama you won't be able to turn the pages fast enough!
Also recommended by: Emma Watson, Jenn Im, Jordan Peterson, Sam Hinkie
Becoming
5 people recommendedrecommended 2xI want the whole world to read this book.
I want the whole world to read this book.
Also recommended by: Barack Obama, Brene Brown, Tyler Oakley, Selena Gomez
The Underground Railroad
5 people recommendedrecommended 2xEvery now and then a book comes along that reaches the marrow of your bones, settles in, and stays forever. This is one.
Every now and then a book comes along that reaches the marrow of your bones, settles in, and stays forever. This is one.
Also recommended by: Barack Obama, Andy Cohen, John Legend, Sarah Jessica Parker
To Kill a Mockingbird
5 people recommendedrecommended 2xI remember starting it and just devouring it, not being able to get enough of it, because I fell in love with Scout.
I remember starting it and just devouring it, not being able to get enough of it, because I fell in love with Scout.
Also recommended by: Taylor Swift, James Clear, Jordan Peterson, Kathie Lee Gifford
I am one-thousand percent better when I do it. Meditation Bob: Heβs got it!
Also recommended by: Ray Dalio, Arianna Huffington, Ellen Degeneres, Hugh Jackman
Shows us how to rebuild a world in which all are truly equal and free.
Also recommended by: Preet Bharara, Ramit Sethi, Roger Bennett, Seth Godin
A Fine Balance
3 people recommendedrecommended 2xI've never encountered pages that took me so far, and removed me from my own way of life and way of thinking the way [this book] did.
I've never encountered pages that took me so far, and removed me from my own way of life and way of thinking the way [this book] did.
Also recommended by: Alicia Keys, Jacqueline Novogratz
One of the greatest love stories I have ever read.
Also recommended by: Bryan Callen, Diane Rehm
[The author] makes you want to be a better person, with his humor and his heart and everything he's had to deal with from the time he was born.
Also recommended by: Alexis Ohanian, Rainn Wilson
A Million Little Pieces
2 people recommendedrecommended 2xOprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Oprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Also recommended by: Nate Berkus
A New Earth
2 people recommendedrecommended 2xOne of the most important books of our time.
One of the most important books of our time.
Also recommended by: Aubrey Marcus
The Sun Does Shine
2 people recommendedrecommended 2xReads like an epic novel. And it is all true!
Reads like an epic novel. And it is all true!
Also recommended by: Ava Duvernay
Behold the Dreamers
2 people recommendedrecommended 2xAbout race and class, the economy, culture, immigration and the danger of the us-versus-them mentality.
About race and class, the economy, culture, immigration and the danger of the us-versus-them mentality.
Also recommended by: Ava Duvernay
Cry, the Beloved Country
2 people recommendedrecommended 2xCaptures the very essence of South Africa in transition from a rural, tribal nation of spiritual heritage to a modern country of big cities, violence and upheaval.
Captures the very essence of South Africa in transition from a rural, tribal nation of spiritual heritage to a modern country of big cities, violence and upheaval.
Also recommended by: Melinda Gates
The Good Earth
2 people recommendedrecommended 2x[The author's words] evoke the simple beauty of the characters and the harsh mystery of China's ancient culture.
[The author's words] evoke the simple beauty of the characters and the harsh mystery of China's ancient culture.
Also recommended by: Winston Churchill
Light in August
2 people recommendedOprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Also recommended by: Adam Sessler
There would have been no Oprah's Book Club if this woman had chosen not to share her love of words with the world.
Also recommended by: John Green
Oprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Also recommended by: Charles Koch
You get something new every time.
You get something new every time.
Also recommended by: Richard Branson
One of the things [the author is] able to do in this book is [to let] people know that they are not alone.
Also recommended by: Diane Rehm
A grandly entertaining novel for the new century.
Also recommended by: Ev Williams
Oprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Also recommended by: Hillary Clinton
Oprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Also recommended by: Christopher Hitchens
The Heart of a Woman
recommended 2xOprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Oprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
A Map of the World
recommended 2xOprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Oprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
A Lesson Before Dying
recommended 2xOprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Oprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
We Were the Mulvaneys
recommended 2xI read this book over a year ago, but this family still haunts me.
I read this book over a year ago, but this family still haunts me.
The Invention of Wings
recommended 2xIt is impossible to read this book and not come away thinking differently about our status as women.
It is impossible to read this book and not come away thinking differently about our status as women.
American Dirt
recommended 2xChanged the way I see what it means to be a migrant in a whole new way.
Changed the way I see what it means to be a migrant in a whole new way.
While I Was Gone
recommended 2xOprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Oprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
What Looks Like Crazy On an Ordinary Day
recommended 2xOprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Oprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Breath, Eyes, Memory
recommended 2xOprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Oprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
I Know This Much Is True
recommended 2xItβs not just a book, itβs a life experience.
Itβs not just a book, itβs a life experience.
Masterfully both captures the innocence and the horror of the unimaginable events these children witness.
Masterfully both captures the innocence and the horror of the unimaginable events these children witness.
Stolen Lives
recommended 2xPeople read [this book] and they are changed by itβenlightened by itβopened up by it.
People read [this book] and they are changed by itβenlightened by itβopened up by it.
Cane River
recommended 2x[Opens] the door for a lot of people who want to trace their own roots or look at what their heritage, what that legacy has meant for them.
[Opens] the door for a lot of people who want to trace their own roots or look at what their heritage, what that legacy has meant for them.
Love Warrior
recommended 2xI read it as a testament to the power of vulnerability.
I read it as a testament to the power of vulnerability.
Icy Sparks
recommended 2xOprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Oprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Olive, Again
recommended 2xI fell in love with Olive not despite her flaws, but because of them.
I fell in love with Olive not despite her flaws, but because of them.
Tara Road
recommended 2xOprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Oprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
The Twelve Tribes of Hattie
recommended 2xSo astonishing, it left me speechless.
So astonishing, it left me speechless.
Drowning Ruth
recommended 2xIt will drive you crazy with suspense. I loved it, loved it, loved it; I stayed up all night reading it.
It will drive you crazy with suspense. I loved it, loved it, loved it; I stayed up all night reading it.
Middlesex
recommended 2xI promise it will grab you from the first sentence.
I promise it will grab you from the first sentence.
Freedom
recommended 2xItβs got everythingβsex and love, even rock nβ roll, and everything you want in a book.
Itβs got everythingβsex and love, even rock nβ roll, and everything you want in a book.
Ruby
recommended 2xI have never been more excited about a find.
I have never been more excited about a find.
The Reader
recommended 2xOprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Oprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
The Sound and the Fury
recommended 2xOprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Oprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
White Oleander
recommended 2xPage after page, I fell in love with a story that deeply moved me.
Page after page, I fell in love with a story that deeply moved me.
House of Sand and Fog
recommended 2xOprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Oprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Jewel
recommended 2xOprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Oprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Open House
recommended 2xOprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Oprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Vinegar Hill
recommended 2xOprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Oprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Where the Heart Is
recommended 2xOprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Oprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
That, my dear, is called reading.
Worth waiting for.
Oprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Oprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Oprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Oprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
The book I love so muchβrecommended to me by Julia [Roberts].
A beautifully crafted book, written like poetry.
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
I think that this is right up there with the greatest American novels ever written.
Black and Blue
recommended 2xOprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Oprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Ellen Foster
recommended 2xOprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Oprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Fall On Your Knees
recommended 2xWhat a wild ride. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
What a wild ride. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
Here on Earth
recommended 2xOprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Oprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Midwives
recommended 2xOprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Oprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Night
recommended 2xRequired reading for all of humanity.
Required reading for all of humanity.
River, Cross My Heart
recommended 2xOprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Oprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
An intense tale that really is a mother's worst nightmare.
Oprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
Oprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club.
I knew early on the book was going to cut me up. I ended up with my soul pierced.
Reminds us that when we come together as a community in compassion and empathy, our love triumphs.
Reminds us that when we come together as a community in compassion and empathy, our love triumphs.
A riveting true story of an American family that reads like a medical detective journey.
A riveting true story of an American family that reads like a medical detective journey.