It is the best of times and the worst of times, as Oprah Winfrey opens up a new chapter on her TV show's "Book Club".

Speaking to members of the Association of American Publishers recently, Winfrey said that the new book club would focus on classic literary works.

In other words, the books nobody ever reads. Except those of us forced to do so back in high school.

Some of us are still very bitter over that one.

So, why did Winfrey close her first "book club"?

Maybe the only 'experts' should could get to talk about those books were the authors themselves. People who are experts on one thing and one thing only - themselves. Yeah, that always makes for good television. We don't see enough of that these days.

Or maybe it was the guy who turned down her offer to have his latest novel picked as the book selection. Reportedly, he really hurt Winfrey's feelings. The "book club" ended shortly thereafter.

Or it might be the fact that people at home in the middle of the afternoon aren't exactly known as voracious readers.

Who's to say?

According to Winfrey's website announcement, "The new club, tentatively titled 'Traveling with the Classics,' will likely feature selections three to five times a year, to allow readers to take their time and steep themselves in a particular work or author."

Obviously, the breakneck pace of one book per month is too much to ask. Winfrey's viewers lead busy lives. They have much to do each day. For example, watching Oprah on TV. And reading "O - The Oprah Magazine". Not to mention getting on the Oprah website for the latest on Miss O., or checking their email to see if another "Oprah Alert" has arrived.

The new club is titled, 'Traveling with the Classics' because, as oprah.com explains, "Each show will originate from a site connected with the selection - the author's birthplace, the book's setting or some other relevant locale."

So, for example, if the selection is Thoreau's "Walden", that show will originate from... well, from a shopping mall, because Walden Pond was drained when it was built, quite a few years ago. (Don't worry! I'm just kidding. The pond is still there.)

With Winfrey's core audience in mind, I nominate a few "classic literary works" myself. Selections pending the official "Oprah Seal of Approval", of course...

1. "Naked Lunch" by William S. Burroughs

The show can originate from Lawrence, Kansas. Alternately, it can be set in the back alley of any major metropolitan city, in whichever "shooting gallery" the heroin addicts are congregating on the day of taping.

Article Author: Pete Petrisko

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