Because Oprah Told Me To.....

Like many booksellers, I owe a debt of gratitude to Oprah Winfrey. When I started selling books in 1999, Oprah's Book Club was in its heyday and I anxiously awaited the announcement of her next book. Even in the bleakest February, I was sure to sell some books if Oprah said that book was what should be read. Oprah has made authors famous and taught non-readers to love to read. Oprah is the patron saint of booksellers.

I have a confession to make. I have not always loved the books that Oprah has chosen for her Book Club. Many of them, while very well written, are dark and depressing. The recurring themes of dysfunctional families, violence against women and children and struggles against poverty are sometimes overwhelming. Call me shallow, but I often choose to turn to mystery, fantasy and lighter fare when choosing pleasure reading.

Recently, Oprah has been talking about a book called Women, Food and God by Geneen Roth. Immediately, I decided there were two strikes against this book.....1) Oprah says I must read it and 2) it is a self-help book. But somehow, its tidy little blue/gray cover with its beckoning landscape called to me and I took this book home. And I have to admit it, Oprah was kind of right.

Roth talks about how for many people food is a numbing agent, much like drugs or alcohol. People will use food to distract themselves from dealing with their feelings or facing the world. Roth puts forth her theories with strength and gentle humor. Despite the title, there is no religious agenda. For Roth, "God" refers to whatever spiritual other a person may recognize.
I found this book to be enlightening and interesting. I learned some things and did not feel condescended to or belittled.

Lesson for the day: You should not judge a book by the person that promotes it!

Keep turning those pages.......