eray1960

Since it's a book she's never selected before I would think it's going to be fiction. And if that's the case, I hope it's Darkness In The Mirror by Erica Lewis. That was the best book I've read all summer!

pambeard

SAY YOU'RE ONE OF THEM by Uwem Akpan

pambeard

Say You're One of Them by Uwen Akpan

read'n4fun

Well, I don't get the show here until 4:00 eastern. I'll be checking the website later this morning! I've checked online and found no info yet! Great job keeping this under wraps, Oprah Team!! I am really excited to find out what it's going to be!!

aross1980

I've never seen a Inpiriational book chosen. "The Reality of His Love" by April Cain-Ross. A book that is inspiring and it's like no other Christian book. It touched my heart and so many that I know of. It would be nice if it could touch the world's heart because of the help of the producers and Oprah choosing this book.

jnaama

Half of a Yellow Sun by C.N. Adichie

livehappy4

BUMMER - I have to wait until 4pm to see it here on in MD! Looking forward to it! Thanks, Jill!!

sheliagoss

I just received the newsletter announcing Say You're One of Them is the new book. I'll be getting my copy soon.

sheliagoss

I just received the newsletter announcing Say You're One of Them as the book choice. I'll be getting my copy soon.

olivierp

this is too funny-i already orderedthis book-hardcover on monday at barnes noble for 4.54 pluss 3.99 shipping. i had a feeling this would be her choice out of the several mentioned because it involves children, and she is a voice for them. i am excited because it is a Black author, a Jesuit priest i think-cant wait!@!!!!!

karen_mcq

I'm so pleased with the new book club selection. I love books that expand my world view!

read'n4fun

I am very excited about this short story collection!! I think the discussions are going to be very insightful, too. Great pick for a time in our lives when we are re-examining what is really important in life. Awesome!!

petra1984

As soon as I saw the announcement on the newsletter I searched my university library database, saw that there was a copy and immediately went to lend it. I'm from South Africa and I'm really excited about reading a book by a fellow African. I'm also a practising Catholic so I'm looking forward to hearing the voice of a Catholic priest through fiction. This is also my first time reading along with Oprah's Book Club so I'm anxiously anticipating the discussions we're going to have. Bring on the reading!!

read4life8

Hi Jill,
I'm excited to start reading Say You're One Of Them. I had a feeling that when Oprah mentioned something's she's never picked before it meant a new genre. I had a strong inkling that it would be either a book of short stories or poems. I'm excited to read it. I couldn't sleep at all last night because I was so excited to get the book. It was like Christmas morning when I went to Target and saw the book there. I was really happy and hope there'll be more selections this season.

Read4Life8

livehappy4

I knew I could find the book club choice on this site before Oprah comes on at 4!! I'm heading to Amazon now!!!

eagles37

I just purchased this book last week but had not started reading yet. I'm looking forward to reading along with the book club. Great pick!

sekkyb

I was taught by Fr Uwem Akpan SJ back in Nigeria and I heard about his book when it was still in hardback last summer. I must say, I was really inspired by all the stories I read in the book and I do feel a very humbled to have been taught by such a distinguished author. I recommend this book to everyone!!! He is indeed well deserving of Oprah's recognition.

trhjamaica

I bought this book just before school started in August 2009 for my 10th-grade twin sons. Their English class this year will be studying World Literature, including African literature. So, I thought this book might be a good resource tool if they have to do a short story project. Moreover, their father (and my ex-husband) is Nigerian and I want them exposed to African culture in any way possible since he tends to be "in absentia" in their lives. I keep the book on my nightstand and read a little each night. The stories are so intense. I find myself stopping to absorb and digest what I have read. Excellent choice! I can't wait for the discussions.

jmk1979

Jill,
I am starting it tonight! Definitely not something I would pick up on my own, so I can't wait to see how the stories resonate with me. The thing I love about Oprah's books are that they provide me with a new world to experience and new eyes to see my own world through.

waylon2005

The most inspiring book I may have ever read. The true story of Jacob Bolotin, "The Blind Doctor".

I think a copy should be in every school, library and home. A book you will never forget, and want your friends and family to read.

It was published in 2007, the author is deceased, an easy read. Jacob lived his whole life in Chicago, died in 1924.

I haven't started Oprah's newest selection, but I will !!!!

humorbooks

Sep 19, 2009 12:29 PM

  |   in response to: eray1960

Randy Kazandy, Where Are Your Glasses? by Rhonda Fischer

oolakanmi

Also, in case you are looking for something different, here is a great book by a Nigerian author:

The Cradle and the Bed by Bode Olakanmi. Definitely check it out!!

Here's a quick synopsis:

The Cradle And The Bed places you in the middle of a conflict between Julius Ololade and Michael Dawson as their two worlds collide in an endless struggle for success between American-born Blacks and more recent African immigrants. Julius is an over-achiever privileged African from Lagos, Nigeria; Michael is a Black American who uses sports as his way out. Written through the witnessed eyes of author Bode Olakanmi, this tale of envy, success and love takes you into a world of conflicting ideals, coupled with characters full of such true emotions.

blayne01

Sep 19, 2009 4:58 PM

  |   in response to: eray1960

I really hope it is a book that is good. I would also like to know how to suggest a book since anytime I have tried to send a message to producerji it is rejected because the inbox is full.

ohpink2

The History of the Noell's Ark Gorilla Show written by Anna Mae Noell has just been reprinted and there are a limited number of copies available. The book chronicles Mae and her husband Bob's travels up and down the Eastern Seaboard doing their carnival act. In 1940 Bob bought his first chimp and they went on the road with their boxing chimps. People would go into the enclosure and attempt to hold the animal's shoulders to the floor. If they were successful, they were paid a reward. The book is funny and very educational.

livehappy4

Great pick! Can't wait to read it!

maragoli

"Say you are one of them is one" I think is a great pick because it will surely expose the plight our children in Africa. Having grown up there, I learned to desensitize myself for the purpose of sanity. Hopefully Oprah will have Uwem on the show. I have a 1000 questions.

producerji

Sep 22, 2009 2:40 PM

  |   in response to: jnaama

"Half A Yellow Sun" is not our book club selection but fabulous reading experience all the same!

producerji

Sep 22, 2009 3:00 PM

  |   in response to: read4life8

We didn't pick a book of poems, but what a lovely idea! I was happy to read that you were so excited about our new selection and I hope to hear what you think after you read the first story.

producerji

Sep 22, 2009 3:01 PM

  |   in response to: eagles37

I guess great minds (Oprah's and your's that is) think alike!

producerji

Sep 22, 2009 3:13 PM

  |   in response to: trhjamaica

These stories are very intense. I've told my friends not read the book all at once but to take a break after each story as I did when I read it. Sometimes when I read a novel I need to do this after a chapter, but if I take too much time off from the book, I forget the characters and/or what happened and have to read the previous pages all over again. But the true beauty of a short story collection is that you can take a break and start fresh with each new story.

producerji

Sep 22, 2009 3:15 PM

  |   in response to: maragoli

Well, I hope you enjoy the book and send in at least one of your questions to ask our author!

producerji

Sep 22, 2009 3:19 PM

  |   in response to: jmk1979

I just have to thank you for being so open to worlds beyond your own. That's certainly a sign of a GREAT READER! I hope you let us know your thoughts about this book after you read the first story, "An Ex-mas Feast."

bdraymond1

Book Suggestion
The Portal to Forever
by Bonnie Sullivan Raymond

AVAILABLE IN HARDCOVER & PAPERBACK: The peaceful Kingdom of Ashmirl has been taken over by the evil wizard Soldrin. The rightful King and his heir have been captured and imprisoned in the dungeon deep beneath the castle walls. Soldrin has sworn to keep them prisoner until the great book of "The Elven Chronicles" is turned over to him. The Elven Chronicles holds the secret of the Portal to Forever and must not fall into the hands of anyone who would use it to gain power and domination over others. The wizard has unleashed hoards of demons, trolls, gargoyles and other monstrous creatures on the kingdom to kill and destroy at will until the Chronicles are turned over to him. Prince Leerec, younger son of the King, is brought back from the human world to defeat this threat to the kingdom and restore his father to the throne. When Prince Leerec falls victim to an assassin¿s murderous attack, his son and daughter are also transported from their home in the human world to use their special powers to save his life and find a way to defeat Soldrin and his evil army. The children journey across the kingdom to find the ancient dragon Falon to enlist his help in destroying the demon Groz who serves the Wizard Soldrin. In their travels they become acquainted with many of the amazing creatures and places to be found in their father's elven world which now, so desperately, needs their help.
_________________________________
A friend bought the book for his grandson who is a reluctant reader and has never read anything that wasn't on his required reading list for school. He started reading "The Portal to Forever" and couldn't put it down. He liked the book so much that he insisted that his mother buy a copy for his teacher. His teacher liked it so much she wrote the following review on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. The book appeals to readers of all ages from 7 on up but if it encourages children to read, I've accomplished something good with the book.

The Book recently received its first Reader review on Amazon:
*****Fantasy lovers-a must read! - July 10, 2009
By Connie A. Charitonuk

Being an avid reader and book collector, I was pleasantly surprised when one of my students presented me with a copy of, The Portal to Forever. Once I began to read this children's book, I found myself captivated by its contents.

The Portal to Forever is a fantasy story that sends the message of the importance of family bonds and working together to achieve a common goal. Bonnie Sullivan Raymond does a phenomenal job of showing the battle between good and evil using wizards, demons, and other creatures throughout various battles to help save the Kingdom of Ashmirl. In this story, two children willingly travel through the Portal to aid their father who is a prince of a kingdom in another world. When arriving in their father's world, powers they have had strengthen allowing them to successfully battle all that comes their way. The unwavering trust that is shown between family members and loyal friends is refreshing. Readers will find themselves smiling, laughing, and cheering along as they read this wonderful novel.

Children who are partial to fantasy or mythology will find this a treasure to have in their home library. Adult readers will appreciate the strong characters that make up the heart of this story as well as the strong author's message.
_________________
... Bonnie Raymond

jillkio

I was thrilled the newest book club selection is "Say You're One of Them". I happened upon that book at the library soon after it was published and thought it sounded interesting... I loved it and am so happy for the author that his work was chosen.

I wanted to recommend another book that I have recommended to everyone I know whenever they mention they are looking for a good read - it is called "Someone Knows My Name" by Lawrence Hill, published in Canada under the name "The Book of Negroes". Please consider reading this book; you won't regret it! It is simply one of the best, most captivating and most memorable books I've ever read.

jmk1979

All I can say is WOW! Here are a few of my thoughts about An Ex-mas Feast.

Jigana is dealing with his sister being a prostitute but at the same time is trying to understand the concept of change. She helped support her family, but also caused them to fear for her safety. ¿Sometimes, when Maisha did not come back for a long time, our anxiety turned the trunk into an assurance of her return.¿ (p.10)

While reading this I was astonished by the extreme poverty Jigana and his family lived in, so extreme that they would smell glue to curb their hunger. But with this lifestyle, their family, no matter how dysfunctional, became like a protective womb. There are poignant moments of pure love that Jigana feels for his sister. ¿I wanted to hug her and laugh until the moon dissolved.¿ (p14) He idolized and loved his sister. Maisha¿s hope for changing her own life is inspiring, but is also tinged with sadness because, as the reader, you are left wondering if she ever will be able to truly change her life and stop prostituting herself. ¿I¿ll quit the brothel when I save a bit. I don¿t want to stand on the road forever. Me myself must to go to school one day¿The words died in her throat.¿ (p.17) The words died in her throat. Have you ever read such a hopeless statement as that?

And then there was the part that affected me the most, the idea of unwanted change in a lifestyle you had become comfortable with. ¿No matter how rootless and cheap street life might be, you could still be broken by departures.¿ (p.21) Jigana is dealing with the loss of her sister, not through death, but oftentimes when a family member leaves, it can feel like a death. Things will never be the same as they once were. ¿I wanted to see Maisha one more time before she disappeared.¿ (p.31) ¿It was as if we were keeping a vigil of her last night with us.¿ (p.32) Oftentimes change, whether it be through a positive move like marriage or moving out of your childhood home, or tragically like death, can create similar emotions. ¿Sitting where the trunk had been, I wept. It was like a newly dug grave.¿ (p. 34) My life is currently going through major changes (both wanted and unwanted) and I am finding myself dealing with the fact that it will never be the way it once was, the past is gone and I need to focus on the future. But reading Jigana¿s story, a boy living a poverty stricken life in Africa, resonated deeply with me and my own life. I identified with Jigana¿s fear that his life was changing and it was completely out of his control. This is the amazing power of reading, that you can find the essence of your own fears and hopes in the words of another person. For that one moment, as you read a passage that touches you, you don¿t feel alone. Our lives could not be more different and yet there are universal feelings that unite us all.

olivialake

I am new here and I am very excited to read that book.
Thank you Oprah.xx

producerji

Oct 9, 2009 6:49 PM

  |   in response to: olivialake

Welcome to our book club! We're thrilled to have a new member and I hope you share your comments with us as your read our latest selection. Happy Reading!

yesiamme

There is a great peotry book that ia great.It is called Do you love me the way that I love you by Derrick Scott