Do you read or avoid books recommended by Oprah Winfrey?

[delphidb96]

Originally Posted by ficbot

I don't understand people categorically avoiding these books just because she recommends them. Some of these books were written long before Oprah got to them. I remember two Canadian authors (Anne-Marie McDonald and Rohinton Mistry) who were quite popular already here in Canada for years before Oprah found them. To say 'I avoid Toni Morrison because Oprah recommended her' is silly---Toni Morrison is a Nobel prize winner and was famous long before Oprah got to her, just as Anne-Marie McDonald was read in university literature classes in Canada for a good couple years before Oprah read her book.

It's simple really. Oprah's a tireless self-promotion talk-show hostess, in the vein of Martha Stewart. The only problem is that Martha Stewart actually *has* something of value to offer and Oprah has only her mouth and her (to my mind) stupid opinions. But, for some truly incomprehensible reason, the American viewing public is entranced by her so the rest of us must suffer.

Derek

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by delphidb96

It's simple really. Oprah's a tireless self-promotion talk-show hostess, in the vein of Martha Stewart. The only problem is that Martha Stewart actually *has* something of value to offer and Oprah has only her mouth and her (to my mind) stupid opinions. But, for some truly incomprehensible reason, the American viewing public is entranced by her so the rest of us must suffer.

Derek

In particular I would guess you think the authors should suffer since boycotting takes bread from their table. How to the rest of us suffer with what Oprah does? I don't even see her as a blip and haven't found any duress so far. Is it really so simple?

Dale

[lilac_jive]

Originally Posted by delphidb96

It's simple really. Oprah's a tireless self-promotion talk-show hostess, in the vein of Martha Stewart. The only problem is that Martha Stewart actually *has* something of value to offer and Oprah has only her mouth and her (to my mind) stupid opinions. But, for some truly incomprehensible reason, the American viewing public is entranced by her so the rest of us must suffer.

Derek

I was going to say, you best not be dissing my girl Martha!

Originally Posted by DaleDe

In particular I would guess you think the authors should suffer since boycotting takes bread from their table. How to the rest of us suffer with what Oprah does? I don't even see her as a blip and haven't found any duress so far. Is it really so simple?

Dale

Going on Oprah will make millions for any author. The few people who don't read what she recommends will barely be a blip on their radar. Honestly, I think my biggest problem with her book club was that she stopped it (for whatever reason), then brought it back up after reading East of Eden, then decided to do a classic run. The whole greatness of her program was new authors got a shot.

And don't forget the "Million Little Pieces" scandal...

[Boston]

I can say that Oprah and I do not enjoy reading the same types of books. I find her recommendations too slow and depressing.

However, to say that I "avoid" her recommendations is extreme. It suggests that she would stop me from reading something that I wanted (to read) which isn't the case. However, if she recommends a book, I will read the reviews a little more carefully to see if its her usual before buying.

- I've read maybe 2 books she's recommended that I have enjoyed.
- I've tried to start a handful of other books she's recommended over the past years that I haven't been able to get finish (I am the type who won't finish a book that I'm not enjoying).
- The rest I've ignored.

[mjh215]

I don't avoid books because she recommends them, but looking at her list I wouldn't read any of them anyway... It is scary how zombified her viewers are though...

-MJ

[ficbot]

Dale, you still have not answered my question Some of these authors were already quite famous/popular before Oprah found them. Wasn't Steinbeck one of her picks? So, you avoid Steinbeck because Oprah likes him too? Or you avoid Anne-Marie McDonald (who was well-known in Canada years before Oprah) just because Oprah likes her? Do you avoid food too, because Oprah likes food? Do you avoid red, because Oprah wears that colour? And you say her audience is a bunch of sheep? Sounds like you are. Why not judge a book on its own merits and decide for yourself whether it's worth your time?

[lilac_jive]

Originally Posted by ficbot

Dale, you still have not answered my question Some of these authors were already quite famous/popular before Oprah found them. Wasn't Steinbeck one of her picks? So, you avoid Steinbeck because Oprah likes him too? Or you avoid Anne-Marie McDonald (who was well-known in Canada years before Oprah) just because Oprah likes her? Do you avoid food too, because Oprah likes food? Do you avoid red, because Oprah wears that colour? And you say her audience is a bunch of sheep? Sounds like you are. Why not judge a book on its own merits and decide for yourself whether it's worth your time?

I think Dale is on your side, heh.

For me, it's not because she likes them. It's the fact that she says, "buy it," and millions pretty much just do it. I don't want to be like that. Even among my friends, several people will have to tell me to read a book before I actually do. The only problem I actually have with Oprah herself I wrote above (switching to classics when she has the power to introduce new authors to the world)

And I should just give them a chance on their own merits, but I just can't. Would never stop anyone else from doing so either.

Except for Dan Brown. I'll tell you all day long why you shouldn't read his books. And the Bible Code, uggh.

[kacir]

I voted for Who is Oprah?
I know *of* her, I know she is some kind of American celebrity and I happen to know she grew up very poor. That is about all I know.

So I went to the youtube and tried to look up a video of her endorsing a Kindle. No luck. I viewed a random 180 second clip from her show instead.

Holly $DEITY!

Are ALL her shows like that?
I mean all people screaming insanely, jumping madly, fainting and generally going bonkers? I can't find strength to go and look at a few more videos at the moment to make sure.
Unbelievable.
<shudder>

Are there other shows like that in USA? I mean all the audience going bonkers without any apparent reason whatsoever?
I thought that the strangest shows were those in Japanese television ;-)

[delphidb96]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

In particular I would guess you think the authors should suffer since boycotting takes bread from their table. How to the rest of us suffer with what Oprah does? I don't even see her as a blip and haven't found any duress so far. Is it really so simple?

Dale

No, I did not say that. I do not believe that authors should be forced to suffer by boycotting. However, any careful examination of Oprah's reading habits and suggestions will make it clear that she has very narrow tastes - for one thing, SF needs not apply. Hunh? With a simple wave of her hand she can dismiss an entire genre???

Derek

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by kacir

I voted for Who is Oprah?
I know *of* her, I know she is some kind of American celebrity and I happen to know she grew up very poor. That is about all I know.

So I went to the youtube and tried to look up a video of her endorsing a Kindle. No luck. I viewed a random 180 second clip from her show instead.

Holly $DEITY!

Are ALL her shows like that?
I mean all people screaming insanely, jumping madly, fainting and generally going bonkers? I can't find strength to go and look at a few more videos at the moment to make sure.
Unbelievable.
<shudder>

Are there other shows like that in USA? I mean all the audience going bonkers without any apparent reason whatsoever?
I thought that the strangest shows were those in Japanese television ;-)

Some shows are like that. Jerry Springer, for instance.

[lilac_jive]

Originally Posted by Nate the great

Some shows are like that. Jerry Springer, for instance.

Oh yes, Jerry Springer. That is worse.

[ficbot]

Lots of people don't read sci-fi, not just Oprah. That still doesn't mean anything she reads is trash. I myself don't read much romance, but there are a few authors in that genre who I do enjoy, and if my mother (who does read romances) recommends a book to me, I would consider it before I decide to read or not. Sometimes, I may read the book, sometimes I may decide it will not be to my tastes. I don't dismiss all suggestions just because they are coming from that one person.

I agree with what Bob said in the other thread. You are just as much of a 'lemming' for avoiding a book just because Oprah suggested it as you are for reading it just because Oprah said so I could understand (maybe) the sentiment if this was an Oprah publishing company where she was getting it from, or if Oprah was getting paid to push specific books. But many of these authors were out there before Oprah ever found them, so I see nothing 'wrong' with Oprah reading them, liking them and giving their sales a boost and getting people reading by suggesting books she herself has enjoyed.

[JSWolf]

After seeing enough of what Oprah has recommended and realizing that most of it does not sound appealing to me, I tend to avoid what she recommends because I don't have time to read it to find out what is or is not to my liking.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by lilac_jive

Oh yes, Jerry Springer. That is worse.

There was an absolutely hilariously funny stage show of "Jerry Springer" which "did the rounds" of British theatres a couple of years ago. Funniest thing I've ever seen.

[lilac_jive]

Originally Posted by ficbot

Lots of people don't read sci-fi, not just Oprah. That still doesn't mean anything she reads is trash. I myself don't read much romance, but there are a few authors in that genre who I do enjoy, and if my mother (who does read romances) recommends a book to me, I would consider it before I decide to read or not. Sometimes, I may read the book, sometimes I may decide it will not be to my tastes. I don't dismiss all suggestions just because they are coming from that one person.

I agree with what Bob said in the other thread. You are just as much of a 'lemming' for avoiding a book just because Oprah suggested it as you are for reading it just because Oprah said so I could understand (maybe) the sentiment if this was an Oprah publishing company where she was getting it from, or if Oprah was getting paid to push specific books. But many of these authors were out there before Oprah ever found them, so I see nothing 'wrong' with Oprah reading them, liking them and giving their sales a boost and getting people reading by suggesting books she herself has enjoyed.

No one ever said her recommendations were trash. They are definetly not that.

I'm ok with being a lemming going in the opposite direction