Oprah Winfrey is one of the most influential people globally, an American Talk show host, Television producer, author, actress, and the books recommended by her carry a lot of weight.
Here are some of the books recommended by Oprah Winfrey.
#1 A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
About the Book
Title: A Fine Balance
Author: Rohinton Mistry
Genre: Fiction, Cultural
Publisher: Vintage
Pages: 603
Goodreads rating: 4.3/5
Summary
Firstly, the book is set in India during the 1970s. Moreover, it is a story of four characters trying to make their way in a society thrown into chaos by the social and economic forces of recent years. The novel describes their struggles, their dreams, and their failures. A Fine Balance is a novel about four people who live in India during the 1970s. However, this time was chaotic, with social and economic forces changing the country. Finally, the novel follows these four people as they struggle, dream, and fail.
Oprah Winfrey’s Opinion:
“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.”
Oprah Winfrey
To buy/gift A Fine Balance, click on the below link:
#2 Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue
About the Book
Title: Behold the Dreamers
Author: Imbolo Mbue
Genre: Fiction, Cultural
Publisher: Random House Trade
Pages: 400
Goodreads rating: 3.9/5
Summary
Firstly, Imbolo Mbue is a Cameroonian-American author. Secondly, she has written the no”el “Behold the Drea”ers,” published in 2016. Moreover, the book tells the story of Jende and Neni, who live in New York and try to make it work. However, they are immigrants from Cameroon whose lives were disrupted by the civil war. Moreover, the book follows the lives of Jende and Neni as they struggle to make a life, find love, and realize their dreams in America. Lastly, it explores how their lives intersected with other immigrants and Americans during economic turmoil.
Oprah Winfrey’s Opinion:
“About race and class, the economy, culture, immigration and the danger of the us-versus-them mentality.”
Oprah Winfrey
To buy/gift Behold the Dreamers, click on the below link:
#3 Cane River by Lalita Tademy
About the Book
Title: Cane River
Author: Lalita Tademy
Genre: Fiction, Historical
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Pages: 522
Goodreads rating: 4.0/5
Summary
In this case, Cane River is a novel that tells the story of three generations of African-American women. The book starts with the story of Charlotte, a slave woman who escapes from her plantation and eventually finds her way to freedom. However, the story then moves on to the second generation and tells the life of her daughter, Elizabeth, who is born into slavery but marries a free black man and has children before she dies at age 30. Finally, the third generation follows their lives in Louisiana after emancipation.
Oprah Winfrey’s Opinion:
“[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.”
Oprah Winfrey
To buy/gift Cane River, click on the below link:
#4 Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton
About the Book
Title: Cry, the Beloved Country
Author: Alan Paton
Genre: Fiction, Cultural
Publisher: Scribner
Pages: 316
Goodreads rating: 3.9/5
Summary
Firstly, Cry, the Beloved Country is a novel by Alan Paton. However, it was first published in 1948 and has been translated into over 20 languages. Moreover, Cry, the Beloved Country is about a black man wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to death. Lastly, the book follows his son, who travels to Johannesburg to discover what happened.
Oprah Winfrey’s Opinion:
“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.”
Oprah Winfrey
To buy/gift Cry, the Beloved Country, click on the below link:
#5 Deacon King Kong by James McBride
About the Book
Title: Deacon King Kong
Author: James McBride
Genre: Fiction, Historical
Publisher: Riverhead Books
Pages: 384
Goodreads rating: 4.1/5
Summary
Firstly, Deacon King Kong is a story of the Deacon, a black man from Harlem who goes to Vietnam as a Marine. Secondly, this book was written by James McBride. Moreover, the book is about the Deacon from Harlem in New York who has gone to Vietnam as a Marine. However, he has been in combat for four months and is now on his way back home when he meets Kong, an American soldier who has been missing for three years. The two men have an intense conversation and eventually become friends. Finally, Kong tells the Deacon about how he was captured by the Vietcong and tortured for three years before escaping.
Oprah Winfrey’s Opinion:
“Reminds us that when we come together as a community in compassion and empathy, our love triumphs.” –
Oprah Winfrey
To buy/gift Deacon King Kong, click on the below link:
#6 Freedom by Jonathan Franzen
About the Book
Title: Freedom
Author: Jonathan Franzen
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary
Publisher: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux
Pages: 562
Goodreads rating: 3.7/5
Summary
Firstly, Franzen’s Freedom is an epic and ambitious novel that tells the parallel stories of Patty and Walter Berglund, who grow up in St. Paul, Minnesota, and their son, Joey. However, the story revolves around BergBerglunds’ marriage, which slowly breaks down over three decades. Moreover, the novel explores how we live now–two generations after the social movements that remade America–and how we might live tomorrow. Lastly, it is one of the best books recommended by Oprah Winfrey.
Oprah Winfrey’s Opinion:
“It’s got everything—sex and love, even rock n’ roll, and everything you want in a book.”
Oprah Winfrey
To buy/gift Freedom, click on the below link:
#7 Gap Creek by Robert Morgan
About the Book
Title: Gap Creek
Author: Robert Morgan
Genre: Fiction, Historical
Publisher: Touchstone
Pages: 336
Goodreads rating: 3.7/5
Summary
Moreover, this book is about a family in the Appalachian Mountains in the 19th century. However, the story mainly revolves around Ada, the daughter of a pioneer woman, and her husband, Eddy. Moreover, the story begins wAda’Ada’s mother dying when she is still a child and then continues with her marriage to Eddy and their life together. Lastly, the book deals with the hardships of living in Appalachia during this time, such as poverty, the death of loved ones, and violence.
Oprah Winfrey’s Opinion:
“Oprah Winfrey recommended this book in “Oprah’s Book Club.”
Oprah Winfrey
To buy/gift Gap Creek, click on the below link:
#8 Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
About the Book
Title: Great Expectations
Author: Charles Dickens
Genre: Fiction, Classic
Publisher: Wildside Press
Pages: 432
Goodreads rating: 3.7/5
Summary
Firstly, Great Expectations is about the life of Pip, a young orphan boy. However, he is raised by his sister and her husband, Joe Gargery, a blacksmith. Pip has a shallow opinion of himself and his life before becoming an adult. Moreover, he feels he has no future and will never amount to anything. However, the book starts with Pip as a young boy and tells how he grows up in the company of an escaped convict named Magwitch and Miss Havisham, an old woman who lives in her mansion with her adopted daughter Estella. Moreover, the book then follPip’Pip’s life as he moves from childhood to adulthood, becoming a gentleman at last through various twists of fate. Lastly, it is one of the best books recommended by Oprah Winfrey.
Oprah Winfrey’s Opinion:
“You get something new every time.”
Oprah Winfrey
To buy/gift Great Expectations, click on the below link:
#9 Here on Earth by Alice Hoffman
About the Book
Title: Here on Earth
Author: Alice Hoffman
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary
Publisher: Berkley
Pages: 336
Goodreads rating: 3.6/5
Summary
Firstly, Here on Earth is a novel about a family that lives in the suburbs of Boston. However, the book begins with an introduction to the youngest daughter, Ruthie, who died from leukemia at 11. Lastly, the book explores themes such as life, death, and love in a way that will leave you both happy and sad at different points throughout the story.
Oprah Winfrey’s Opinion:
Oprah Winfrey recommended this book in “Oprah’s Book Club.”
Oprah Winfrey
To buy/gift Here on Earth, click on the below link :
#10 Mother of Pearl by Melinda Haynes
About the Book
Title: Mother of Pearl
Author: Melinda Haynes
Genre: Fiction, Historical
Publisher: Washington Square Press
Pages: 465
Goodreads rating: 3.6/5
Summary
Firstly, this book is about a woman who lives in the south. She is a wife and mother of three, but she also has a side hustle. However, the story follows her through her struggles balancing family life, business, and the realities of being a woman in the south. Moreover, the book follows her through her struggles balancing family life, business, and the realities of being a woman in the south. Finally, it is one of the best books recommended by Oprah Winfrey.
Oprah Winfrey’s Opinion:
“That, my dear, is called reading.”
Oprah Winfrey
To buy/gift Mother of Pearl, click on the below link :
#11 Paradise by Toni Morrison
About the Book
Title: Paradise
Author: Toni Morrison
Genre: Fiction, Classic
Publisher: First Plume Printing
Pages: 318
Goodreads rating: 3.8/5
Summary
Firstly, the book, Paradise, is a work of fiction that tells the story of a family in America. The story is told by a woman named Ruby, who was born and raised in the south but moves to Chicago with her husband. Lastly, the novel explores how society and culture shape us.
Oprah Winfrey’s Opinion:
“Worth waiting for.”
Oprah Winfrey
To buy/gift Paradise, click on the below link :
#12 Stolen Lives by Malika Oufkir
About the Book
Title: Stolen Lives
Author: Malika Oufkir
Genre: Fiction, Cultural
Publisher: Hyperion Books
Pages: 294
Goodreads rating: 4.1/5
Summary
Firstly, In Stolen Lives, Malika tells her story of growing up in a royal family in Morocco. Moreover, it is a tale of privilege, betrayal, and courage. However, she was born into a world of freedom and wealth as the daughter of General Oufkir. She lived in a palace with servants who knew her every wish before she could even ask for it. Lastly, she had everything she ever wanted and more than she ever dreamed of having, but at what cost?
Oprah Winfrey’s Opinion:
“People read [this book] and they are changed by it—enlightened by it—opened up by it.”
Oprah Winfrey
To buy/gift Stolen Lives, click on the below link :
#13 Strength in Stillness by Bob Roth
About the Book
Title: Strength in Stillness
Author: Bob Roth
Genre: Self-Help, Psychology
Publisher: Simon Schuster
Pages: 224
Goodreads rating: 3.1/5
Summary
Firstly, Bob Roth, a renowned meditation teacher, and bestselling author, will show you how to find strength in stillness and peace amid chaos. Moreover, this book is a guide to a life of excellent balance, happiness, health, and wisdom. It will show you how to live with greater resilience and joy—even when facing difficult circumstances. Finally, the way out of our stress-filled lives is found by learning how to be more mindful—to live in the moment instead of letting worries about the future or regrets about the past steal our peace.
Oprah Winfrey’s Opinion:
“I am one-thousand percent better when I do it. Meditation Bob: He’s got it!”
Oprah Winfrey
To buy/gift Strength in Stillness, click on the below link :
#14 The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
About the Book
Title: The Bluest Eye
Author: Toni Morrison
Genre: Fiction, Historical
Publisher: Plume
Pages: 216
Goodreads rating: 4.0/5
Summary
In this case, the Bluest Eye is a novel about Pecola Breedlove, a young black girl who longs for blue eyes. However, the book explores how society’s beauty standards and beauty affect self-image and can create devastating consequences. Moreover, this book is about the problematic idea that beauty is based on what society believes it to be. In this case, it is based on the color of one’s skin. Pecola has been told by her father that if she had blue eyes, she would be beautiful and finally happy, so she spends most of her time finding ways to get blue eyes.
Oprah Winfrey’s Opinion:
“One of the things [the author is] able to do in this book is [to let] people know that they are not alone.”
Oprah Winfrey
To buy/gift The Bluest Eye, click on the below link :
#15 The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
About the Book
Title: The Invention of Wings
Author: Sue Monk Kidd
Genre: Fiction, Historical
Publisher: Viking
Pages: 384
Goodreads rating: 4.2/5
Summary
Firstly, Sue MKiddKidd’s novel tells the story of two girls, Sarah and Handful, who grow up in the antebellum south. However, Sarah is a privileged daughter of a wealthy Charleston family, and Handful is an orphaned slave girl given to Sarah as her handmaid. Finally, they develop a unique bond that helps them survive the dark years of slavery and eventually become free women living in New York City.
Oprah Winfrey’s Opinion:
“It is impossible to read this book and not come away thinking differently about our status as women.”
Oprah Winfrey
To buy/gift The Invention of Wings, click on the below link :
Finally, that’s all for the 15 Books Recommended by Oprah Winfrey.
P.S: Some books recommended here are available on Kindle Unlimited. However, you can read these books if you have subscribed to them. Lastly, check out this article: Is Kindle Unlimited Worth It?
To conclude, here are the 15 Books Recommended by Oprah Winfrey.
| 1 | A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry | Buy Now |
| 2 | Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue | Buy Now |
| 3 | Cane River by Lalita Tademy | Buy Now |
| 4 | Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton | Buy Now |
| 5 | Deacon King Kong by James McBride | Buy Now |
| 6 | Freedom by Jonathan Franzen | Buy Now |
| 7 | Gap Creek by Robert Morgan | Buy Now |
| 8 | Great Expectations by Charles Dickens | Buy Now |
| 9 | Here on Earth by Alice Hoffman | Buy Now |
| 10 | Mother of Pearl by Melinda Haynes | Buy Now |
| 11 | Paradise by Toni Morrison | Buy Now |
| 12 | Stolen Lives by Malika Oufkir | Buy Now |
| 13 | Strength in Stillness by Bob Roth | Buy Now |
| 14 | The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison | Buy Now |
| 15 | The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd | Buy Now |
Lastly, read every book on this list. Moreover, I am sure you won’t disappoint me.
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Finally, which one is your favorite book? Leave a comment below. Moreover, we would love to know your favorite one.
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