On September 17, 1996, Oprah announced the start of Oprah's Book Club, an on-air reading club. Since then, Oprah has inspired the country to get excited about reading. Each of Oprah's Book Club selections, including: 

The Deep End Of The Ocean, Song Of Solomon, A Lesson Before Dying,  I Know This Much Is True, Jewel, The Reader, The Pilot's Wife, White Oleander, Mother Of Pearl, Tara Road, River, Cross My Heart, Vinegar Hill...

has skyrocketed to the top of bestsellers lists. Oprah has been lauded by critics and viewers alike, and thousands of enthusiastic letters pour in weekly thanking her. Booksellers have also credited Oprah with rejuvenating the publishing industry and in November 1999, The National Book Foundation will awarded Oprah their 50th Anniversary Gold Medal for her dedication to promoting the joys and benefits for reading. Pulitzer-Prize-winner Toni Morrison said of Oprah's Book Club, "It's not just a revolution, it's an upheaval!"

Approximately once a month, Oprah announces the title of the book to be featured on Oprah's Book Club. Oprah then invites the author and selected "Oprah" viewers to dinner to discuss the book. Highlights of the dinner are shown on that Book Club show. The author and viewers may later appear on Oprah's Book Club to further discuss the book with the audience.

Oprah is thrilled with the response to the Book Club, and her initial concerns that the Book Club segments might not draw high ratings were quickly dispelled. Oprah's Book Club continues to be one of the most closely watched events on television by the general public, media and publishing industry. Articles about Oprah's Book Club have appeared in The New York Times Book Review, The Washington Post, Time Magazine, People Magazine, Publishers Weekly, USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, and numerous newspapers across the country. In 1997, Newsweek named Oprah the most important person in the world of books and media.

Oprah says, "I love books! I think books open windows to the world for all of us."