There are 103 books in Oprah's Book Club. Here are 10 of the best.

These days, a celebrity book club is the side hustle du jour of the rich and famous, giving them the opportunity to flex their literary hubris and share with the world the top reads they're loving. 

From Reese Witherspoon to Emma Watson, Kaia Gerber, Emma Roberts and now even pop sensation Dua Lipa, it seems every other week, a celebrity book club is popping up on our radar.

But let's take a step back to where it all started, when queen Oprah Winfrey pioneered the whole thing by launching Oprah's Book Club on her talk show in 1996. As a result, book sales skyrocketed, and ever since, she's played a huge role in the success of the titles she spruiks to her millions of fans. 

Midas touch? More like Oprah touch. 

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Since the club's beginnings, Oprah has put forward a massive 103 books to members and has sung the praises of authors far and wide.

From that list, we've pulled together 10 of the very best reads – just in case you're looking to plant your head in a book or two this summer.

Becoming by Michelle Obama.

Image: Goodreads.

What we think: In 2018, the much-anticipated memoir from the former First Lady of the United States landed on shelves with much fanfare and a global book tour to boot. 

It's no surprise that Michelle Obama's tell-all Becoming nabbed a spot on Oprah's book club list, given their very close friendship over the years. Nepotism aside, this book is deserving of the 4.5 rating on Goodreads with her heartwarming recount of her life's ups and downs. Particular highlights are her insights into how she and Barack first got together – they worked at the same law firm and she turned down his date requests multiple times before agreeing to take the plunge into deep love! It's a page-turner written by a real class act.

Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano.

Image: Goodreads.

What we think: One of Oprah's more recent recommendations (and the official 100th spot on her list) is the 2023 novel Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano.

This nod to Little Women follows the lives of four sisters living and working in the working-class suburbs of Chicago. This book really does have it all – romance, fractious relationships, sisterhood, trauma and an inspiring message to wrap it all up. Oprah said, "Once you start, you won't want it to end... and be prepared for tears," so if you're keen on having a good cry then this is the book for you.

Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley.

Image: Goodreads.

What we think: One of the greatest powers Oprah's book club holds is her ability to spotlight up-and-coming authors, which rings true for her 96th pick, 2022's Nightcrawling, written by the then-19-year-old Leila Mottley. 

In her second novel (yep, she released her debut at just 16 in 2018), she tells the story of a young woman named Kiara who is on the verge of homelessness in Oakland. 

Nightcrawling is a deft portrayal of violence against black women and you really feel the emotional plight of Leila seep through in every delicately crafted sentence. What an incredibly gifted young writer who is just getting started on making her mark in the literary world.

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead.

Image: Goodreads.

What we think: It's no secret that America holds a dark past with slavery, with the effects of generational trauma still causing great pain for plenty of people. In Colson Whitehead's novel The Underground Railroad, we are told the story of what life was like on a cotton plantation in the Deep South of Georgia through the eyes of a young woman named Cora. Throughout this gripping tale, we follow Cora's journey as she attempts to escape to freedom through the underground railroad system. 

At moments it's terrifying, and throughout there is a powerful message that speaks to a painful era of slavery that is not near enough away.

Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg.

Image: Goodreads.

What we think: In 2013, Facebook's chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg made waves when she released her book Lean In and immediately became the poster child for working mums across the world. Her overarching ethos to try and 'have it all' in the great big juggle of navigating career and family life has over the years been picked apart, applauded and criticised at large. 

Given that Oprah's Book Club has been around for almost two decades, not every pick is going to age well (ahem A Million Little Pieces by James Frey, anyone?), however their inclusion serves as a snapshot of the way of thinking in that particular timestamp. 

Nevertheless, some 10 years later, Sheryl's approach is still an interesting one (even if a bit dated) to explore, especially if you are in the midst of trying to figure out the balance of work, play and parenthood.

Caste: The Origins Of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson.

Image: Goodreads.

What we think: In 2020, the Black Lives Matter movement erupted in the wake of George Floyd's murder, sparking protests across the world calling for an end to racism. In August that same year, Isabel Wilkerson released her book Caste: The Origins Of Our Discontents, which earned a spot on Oprah's Book Club list and was reported as being her most "vital" selection. 

"Every book I've ever chosen for an Oprah's Book Club selection, I've done with care and with passion, but I don’t think there has been another pick that has been as vital as this one," Oprah wrote on X. "This book might well save us. Caste by Isabel Wilkerson is a must-read for humanity." 

Read this to learn more about the history of racism and how many modern thinkers are pushing for a need to redefine the narrative in our current society.

Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker.

Image: Goodreads.

What we think: Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker might just be one of the most gripping reads we've ever come across. Telling the true story of a family who lived in post-war Colorado and the extraordinary challenges Don, Mimi Galvin and their 12 children faced. Of the siblings, six of them were diagnosed with schizophrenia, a mental illness that, at the time, was a profoundly misunderstood disease. 

"It reveals the shame, denial, shock, confusion and misunderstanding of mental illness at a time when no one was really sure what schizophrenia was or how to treat it," said Oprah. 

Give this one a read – you truly won't be able to put it down.

Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton.

Image: Goodreads.

What we think: Glennon Doyle might just be one of the most prolific commentators on love, life and relationships our generation has ever seen. By now we all know her from the 2020 book Untamed, which helped reframe how we see ourselves taking up our rightful space in this world. 

But it's her 2016 book Love Warrior that earned her a spot on the highly coveted OBC list. Fans of Untamed will know about the breakdown of Glennon's first marriage, but in Love Warrior, we get a more intimate look at what transpired in those days and how she walked towards a more authentic life. This is a fantastic book for anyone feeling in flux – whether that be in a relationship, career or general life context.

East Of Eden by John Steinbeck.

Image: Goodreads.

What we think: Though he has long passed (he died in 1968), John Steinbeck's novel East of Eden found its way onto Oprah's Book Club list in 2003. While not his highly celebrated Of Mice and Men, East of Eden is a tale that follows the lives of two families – the Trasks and the Hamiltons – in the Californian Salinas Valley. 

It has been decades since this novel was released but it still holds a special place in the hallowed halls of American literature and is a good one to tap into if you're interested in diving into a classic. Oh, and Oprah calls it one of her favourite books ever, if that helps you press 'buy now' in your cart.

Wild by Cheryl Strayed.

Image: Booktopia. What we think: Before it was a hit 2014 movie starring Reese Witherspoon, Wild was but a humble memoir. Except... less 'humble' and more life-altering, according to Oprah and scores of fans. 

Wild is a memoir by Cheryl Strayed, detailing her quest for self-discovery as she walks the Pacific Crest Trail solo. As she wanders through the wilderness – all 4,270km of it – she struggles to come to terms with her mother's death, a severed marriage and a drug-addicted past. A beautiful, poignant read worth adding to your list, asap.

 Do you have a favourite book on Oprah's Book Club list? Let us know in the comments below.

Feature Image: Goodreads/Instagram/Mamamia.

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