Oprah Winfrey Selects “Go Gentle” by Maria Semple for Book Club: Free Excerpt
Oprah Winfrey announced on Tuesday, during CBS Mornings, that she has chosen Maria Semple’s new novel Go Gentle for her Book Club. The selection was revealed in an exclusive segment on the morning show.
About the novel
Go Gentle follows a divorced philosopher whose careful life is overturned by a mysterious stranger. The story centers on Adora, a woman navigating major change and renewed possibility.
Author background and inspiration
Maria Semple is a bestselling novelist. She said elements of the book drew from recent personal experience.
Semple recalled a long-term breakup about three years ago. She left Seattle and decided to move to New York’s Upper West Side. The move felt frightening at first, she said, but ultimately brought new happiness.
Reaction to the Oprah call
When Winfrey phoned to share the selection, Semple said the moment felt transformative. She described being shocked, thrilled, and honored to join the book group’s legacy.
Why the book was chosen
Winfrey explained her choice as driven by the portrayal of Adora and the book’s message for divorced women. She noted the novel challenges the idea that life ends after major relationship changes.
Oprah emphasized the book’s empowering tone. She highlighted how the story suggests readers can become more than they imagined.
Excerpt and publication details
A free excerpt of Go Gentle is available with permission from Putnam, an imprint of The Penguin Group, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC. The work is copyrighted © 2026 by Maria Semple.
Filmogaz.com provided coverage of the announcement and links to the excerpt for readers who want to sample the novel.
- Selection revealed on CBS Mornings.
- Author: Maria Semple, bestselling novelist.
- Book theme: reinvention after divorce, centered on Adora.
- Personal note: Semple moved from Seattle to New York after a breakup.
- Excerpt permissions: Putnam/Penguin Random House. Copyright 2026.
