From O Magazine, July 2008:

A CLASSSIC IN THE MAKING: Whether you read for the beauty of language or for the intricacies of plot, you will easily fall in love with David Wroblewski’s generous, almost transcendentally lovely debut novel, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. This is a tale set in rural Wisconsin in the first half of the 20th century, on a farm where the Sawtelles raise a fictional breed of dog. The dogs function like spirits in Shakespeare, or the chorus in Greek tragedy: They color the text with larger meaning yet remain tangibly real, deeply believable as dogs. Edgar is the mute boy who raises them, a mesmerizing fictional hero, primitive and wise. There are passages of language here (”A pair of does sprang over the fence on the north side of the field-two leaps each, nonchalant, long-sustained, falling earthward only as an afterthought…”) that make you pause and read again with luxuriant pleasure. Wroblewski’s plot is dynamic – page by page compelling – and classical, evoking Hamlet, Antigone, Electra, and Orestes, as Edgar tries to avenge his father’s death and his paternal uncle’s new place in the affections of his mother. The scope of this book, its psychological insight and lyrical mastery, make it one of the best novels of the year, and a perfect, comforting joy of a book for summer.

So I know a lot of people do not like the whole Oprah book club thing or the titles that she selects.  Almost as if the Oprah sticker on the front immediately degrades the book to something that should be avoided like the plague.  I have to admit that I don’t mind Oprah’s selections at all.  In fact, I’ve enjoyed most all of them and have no shame in using her list to discover some great new books.  The only exception is when she wandered away from her fiction selections for The New Earth, which I personally could not get into.  Oh, how I wished she handn’t done that.  So happy she’s gone back to fiction.

David Wrobelwski’s The Story Of Edgar Sawtelle is his debut novel.  Now he’s an instant millionare with Oprah’s backing.  Have you read it?  Will you be reading it?  I think I’ll get to it.

Visit David Wrobelwski’s website.  Buy The Story of Edgar Sawtelle on Amazon.

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Building on the astonishing success of The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle presents readers with an honest look at the current state of humanity: He implores us to see and accept that this state, which is based on an erroneous identification with the egoic mind, is one of dangerous insanity.

Tolle tells us there is good news, however. There is an alternative to this potentially dire situation. Humanity now, perhaps more than in any previous time, has an opportunity to create a new, saner, more loving world. This will involve a radical inner leap from the current egoic consciousness to an entirely new one.

In illuminating the nature of this shift in consciousness, Tolle describes in detail how our current ego-based state of consciousness operates. Then gently, and in very practical terms, he leads us into this new consciousness. We will come to experience who we truly are—which is something infinitely greater than anything we currently think we are—and learn to live and breathe freely.

About the Author
Eckhart Tolle is a contemporary spiritual teacher who is not aligned with any particular religion or tradition. In his writing and seminars, he conveys a simple yet profound message with the timeless and uncomplicated clarity of the ancient spiritual masters: There is a way out of suffering and into peace. Tolle travels extensively, taking his teachings throughout the world.

This is a first for Oprah. She has never chosen a spiritual/self-help book before. This is going to be interesting.

But wait! There’s more. For the first time, Oprah is offering a 10 week online course taught by Oprah and Echkart every Monday night covering a chapter a week starting March 3rd. There’s even a workbook! I’m sure that this is going to wildly popular. I’m curious, so I already reserved my spot. I’ll keep you updated on how it goes. Visit Oprah’s website if you’d like to register.

I haven’t been able to keep up with Oprah’s picks since Night by Elie Weisel and I was hoping for a nice piece of fiction. She’s going in a different direction throwing in a new genre. I suspect that people will love it or hate it. I’m all for improving my life though, so I’ll definitely check this one out.

You may view all of Oprah’s Book Club selections on my website here.