Oprah's books easy reading

Arizona Summer Wildcat Oprah Winfrey

If you're a fan of Oprah Winfrey, like my roommate Nurse Hell-ga, then you are seriously familiar with her best-seller list. If you are the ultimate fan, you've probably read, or made an attempt to read, most of the books.

Non-fans may not know that Oprah's book club, which the talk-show diva began last fall, has made the masses of her viewers turn off the TV, unless her show is on, and turn on the bedside night lamp to read a book.

Since then, eight books have been introduced. Of those books, I am prepared to enlighten you about three.

So, you're probably wondering why I am writing this story. Is it to complain some more about Oprah? Is it to suggest some reading titles while you lie by the pool or beach, wait for the bus, wait for work to end, or are just tired of doing nothing? Or bec ause I couldn't think of anything else to write about this week?

If you picked the middle, you win! If you chose one of the other two, please run home, set up an altar in my name and pray for forgiveness.

Nurse Hell-ga and I decided to review the three she has read to provide you with inspiring and funny stories to read in your most valuable time. Also, books, both hardback and paperback, are not that cheap, so these three will be definitely worth your mos t valuable money.

First is "The Deep End of the Ocean" by Jacquelyn Mitchard. This is a story that will keep you guessing with all its twists and turns. Probably enough to keep your mind spinning. It's the story of a 3-year-old boy who mysteriously vanishes while in the ca re of his 7-year-old brother. Then, shockingly and without explanation, the boy returns nine years later. According to Oprah and Nurse Hell-ga, the story captures the fragility in family life when a loved one is missing.

Next is "She's Come Undone" by Wally Lamb. Rumor has it this book is great and it's great for one particular reason, the sex of the author. My friend, Future Nurse Loda, said that the books is about "a female character written by a male. It's so real." Th e story is about Dolores whose steady diet of junk food and TV cures the pain of divorced parents. Her mother believes this will make her forget the pain. The story follows Dolores from childhood to adulthood. It is a very emotional journey to find comple teness of all kinds. The journey consists of love, pain and renewal that is mixed with tasteful comic overtones.

Last, is the fourth in an autobiographical series by beloved poet and writer, Maya Angelou. The book, entitled "The Heart of a Woman," opens in 1957, with Angelou continuing her story at the time when her turbulent life settles down. Angelou enters life i n New York City, where she discovers the Harlem Writers Guild and her love of writing. The story also follows the challenges of becoming the northern coordinator of Martin Luther King's quest for racial equality. Nurse Hell-ga recommends this book.

"You think your life is boring, then you read this book and see how boring her life is," Hell-ga said.

The books shows how average Angelou's life is compared to all the pedestals and grandeur she is placed upon by people such as Oprah.

Hopefully these books will fill your summertime boredom with some excitement and thrills. They are surely better than silly, contrived and predictable summer movies or TV reruns.

The only gripe about the book club is that out of all the books, none are about men, or feature men as a main character. C'mon Oprah, I'm sure some of your watchers/readers can associate with a fictional man.