Born in 1954, Oprah Winfrey is a classic example of a rags-to-riches story.
Her big break came when she left Baltimore to work on “AM Chicago.”
In 1986, Winfrey began hosting “The Oprah Winfrey Show” in the Windy City.
During its 25 seasons on the air, “The Oprah Winfrey Show” became a cultural phenomenon.
Most importantly, it made Winfrey a household name and someone that viewers looked up to.
“The Oprah Winfrey Show” was known for its significant discussion topics and prominent celebrity interviews.
Speaking withTIME, Winfrey explained why her show was so successful.
She said, “[There] is a commonality in human experience …
If it’s happened to one person, it has happened to thousands of others.
Our shows are hour-long life lessons.”
The concept was straightforward; Winfrey would talk about a book she recommended.
However, Oprah’s Book Club was not her idea.
She was the one who ultimately suggested Winfrey should discuss books on her show.
However, Winfrey and the rest of the show’s crew were unsure whether the idea would work.
Nevertheless, on September 17, 1996, Oprah launched Oprah’s Book Club.
The first book she chose to discuss was “The Deep End of the Ocean” by Jacquelyn Mitchard.
This has been coined The Oprah Effect.
Quartzreported that Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye” sold only 2,000 copies upon its release.
When Winfrey included the novel in her book club, it sold 800,000 copies.
However, Oprah’s Book Club has had some controversies.
Financial experts noted that it was having a negative impact on the publishing industry.
Nevertheless, Oprah’s Book Club is here to stay.
In 2019, a series called “Oprah’s Book Club” debuted on Apple TV.
In March 2023, Winfrey celebrated choosing the 100th book for Oprah’s Book Club.
