In an exciting announcement for her book club, Oprah Winfrey has selected a novel by an author she admired long before the inception of her literary club. Winfrey revealed on Tuesday that her latest pick is “The River Is Waiting” by Wally Lamb, a novel exploring a father’s journey through overwhelming grief and guilt. This marks the third time Lamb’s work has been highlighted by Winfrey’s book club, continuing a relationship that began in 1996 when the club was first established.
Reflecting on this connection, Lamb fondly recalled his conversations with Winfrey. “I’ve had four phone conversations with Ms. Winfrey,” he stated, remembering that she extended praise for his inaugural novel, “She’s Come Undone,” following its release in 1992. Five years onward, the same novel was chosen as part of Winfrey’s book club selections. By 1998, she had also picked Lamb’s subsequent work, “I Know This Much Is True,” solidifying his presence in her literary circle.
Lamb expressed awe at hearing Winfrey’s voice once more. “I was as shocked as ever last month when I answered the phone and heard Ms. Winfrey’s voice again, twenty-seven years after the last time we had talked,” he said, unexpectedly informed that “The River Is Waiting” would become the 115th inclusion in her esteemed club. He humbly added, “I’m not sure why I’ve been on the receiving end of such grace and good fortune, but I try to live each day expressing my gratitude in the way I treat others.”
Those interested can find the conversation between Winfrey and Lamb on “Oprah’s Book Club: Presented by Starbucks,” a podcast that is distributed via Winfrey’s YouTube channel among other platforms. In her commentary, Winfrey reminisced about her longstanding appreciation for Lamb’s writing: “I know many of you might remember that Wally and I go way back because I picked his very first book in 1997 for my book club, and then I chose his second book the next year.” Highlighting the repeated selection of his novels, Winfrey asserted, “With ‘The River Is Waiting’ – we’ve selected three novels by the same author and that should tell you ALL you need to know about what I think of this truly masterful and beloved writer.”