Oprah Reports Celebrities’ Favorite Books.

I usually don’t open the Oprah magazine email. I start thinking about un-subscribing, but every once in a while something catches my eye.

Today, for example, it features reading. Admittedly, it piques my curiosity to see what is on Julia Roberts’, Julianne Moore’s, and Maggie Gyllenhaal’s bookshelves.

Here are a few of the books listed by each star, along with the audiobook information.

Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts became hooked after reading just a few pages of The Red Tent by Anita Diamant. The audiobook version is narrated by Carol Bilger. Told through the eyes of Dinah, Jacob’s (of the Bible) daughter. She takes readers through the tumultuous lives of women during biblical times. I read this years ago and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it.

The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson Mcullers is narrated by Cherry Jones. The story takes place in small town in the south in the 1930s. It is a very character driven piece. I haven’t read it, but if you are into literary fiction that is character centered, this sounds like it might be for you.

Julianne Moore

Julianne Moore’s brother, Peter Moore Smith, is the author of Raveling (read by Eric Stoltz). The book is a thriller about how a family fell apart when the protagonist’s little sister disappeared and how, twenty years later, it starts to come back together. I might just have to check this one out.

Beloved, written and read by Toni Morrison, is also on her list. My son read this in high school and was not thrilled by it, but many people really love it. It is the story of an escaped slave, haunted by the ghost of her dead baby, Beloved. I’m just not sure whether I should try it or not…

Maggie Gyllenhaal

A Fine Balance, written by Rohinton Mistry and read by John Lee, is on Maggie Gyllenhaal’s list. This, I believe, was an Oprah’s Book Club choice at one time. It takes place in India in the 1970s and shows the lives of four people who are struggling to survive in the era of corruption and force. I had this book on my shelf. I overdosed on Oprah and donated it to the library.

1962 when this novel was published, it was HUGE

Another Country by James Baldwin and read by Dion Graham is another title on her list. This novel takes on the issue of interracial couples. While the topic is no big deal now, in 1962 when this novel was published, it was HUGE. Other taboo topics in the book are bisexuality and extramarital affairs. I might have to look this one up…

Have you read any of these books? What ones should I put on my must-read list?

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