Oprah Winfrey Has Selected Hungered for Her Book Club

The media icon announced that the debut novel by Amanda Rizkalla is the latest pick for her historic reading series.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Books

Bold vector editorial illustration of a simple hardcover book and a sprig of dried lavender, representing a literary discovery. — Media icon Oprah Winfrey has selected the debut novel 'Hungered' by author Amanda Rizkalla as the latest title for her historic book club. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Oprah Winfrey has selected the debut novel Hungered by Amanda Rizkalla as her newest book club pick. The announcement was made Tuesday following a surprise phone call to the 28-year-old author.

Why it matters

The selection brings significant visibility to Rizkalla, a writer who holds an MFA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and completed her undergraduate studies at Stanford University.

The Oprah Book Club has been active for 30 years, during which it has shaped publishing trends. The chosen novel, Hungered, was published in May 2026 and centers on a 12-year-old protagonist.

The players

Oprah Winfrey

She is a global media icon and entrepreneur who founded her influential book club three decades ago.

Amanda Rizkalla

She is the 28-year-old author of the debut novel Hungered who studied at Stanford University.

The details

Winfrey contacted Rizkalla directly to share the news, a conversation now available for viewers on YouTube. The author, who currently resides in the Bay Area and was born in Los Angeles, wrote the novel after her academic training.

The Oprah Book Club launched in 1996.
The novel Hungered was published in May 2026.
Winfrey announced the book selection on October 6, 2026.

Industry Dynamics

The selection highlights the enduring power of celebrity-led reading initiatives to drive commercial success for debut novelists. This choice reflects the ongoing influence of major tastemakers in a crowded digital-age book market.

Readers can now find the novel at major retailers and local bookstores to join the discussion. The surprise announcement and the accompanying YouTube video offer fans a deeper look into the author's creative process.

The takeaway

The selection of a debut novel by a young writer demonstrates the continued viability of literary discovery through long-standing media platforms. Readers interested in new fiction may find this title a central point of cultural conversation in the coming months.