Oprah's Newest Book Club Pick: 'Hungered' by Amanda Rizkalla

Oprah Winfrey has a new book club pick: "Hungered," the debut novel by Amanda Rizkalla. She announced the selection on CBS Mornings, the same show where she's unveiled past picks, and it's officially the club's 125th read. The timing lines up with a milestone: CBS News reports the announcement arrives as Oprah's Book Club marks its 30th anniversary. The novel itself came out in May 2026, and Winfrey settled on it as her pick on a Tuesday, according to the Associated Press. Rizkalla found out the way many selected authors have before her: with a surprise phone call from Winfrey herself, and she's said the whole experience still feels unreal.

Why Oprah picked it

In a statement, Winfrey called Rizkalla's book a "riveting novel," writing that the 28-year-old author captures what it's like for families without stable housing, including their hope, their dreams, and their drive to keep going, according to Book Riot's account of the press release. CBS News adds that the story is narrated by a child navigating a world largely shaped by the adults around her, which is part of what Winfrey seems to be pointing readers toward: not just the hardship itself, but the perspective of a kid living inside it.

Inside the story

Sofia, the novel's 12-year-old narrator, spends her nights in a parked car with her mom and little brother while their mother hunts for a safe spot to stop, according to CBS News. Sofia's wishes are small and specific: a bedroom of her own, going back to school with her friends, and eating one of the colorful cakes she sees in a grocery store display case. Book Riot describes the novel more broadly as following an unhoused family navigating economic insecurity, and the Associated Press frames it as a story about a girl's struggles amid poverty and family strife. Henry Holt is the publisher, and its cover image was released alongside the announcement.

The author's own story

Rizkalla grew up in Los Angeles and now lives in the Bay Area. She studied as an undergraduate at Stanford and later earned an MFA in creative writing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she held a Wisconsin Institute for Creative Writing Fellowship; she's also been a Steinbeck Fellow. According to Book Riot, Rizkalla has discussed, in an Oprah's Book Club podcast interview, her own experience with housing insecurity as a teenager, and she first tried to write about it as a short story before deciding the material needed a full novel. Rizkalla has said the selection still feels like "one big daydream." Her conversation with Winfrey is available on Winfrey's YouTube channel and other podcast outlets.

The numbers behind it

The subject isn't rare. Citing data from the Anne E. Casey Foundation, Book Riot notes that 4.2 million youth, young adults, and teens experience some form of homelessness each year. That's the backdrop Winfrey seems to be pointing to when she frames Sofia's story as one of perseverance rather than just hardship.

Thirty years, 125 picks

This version of the club, Oprah's Book Club 2.0, was founded June 1, 2012, by Winfrey as a joint project of OWN and O: The Oprah Magazine, according to Wikipedia's running list of selections. That same list records "Hungered" as the October 2026 pick, following June 2026's selection, Sophie Chen Keller's "Little Wonder." Winfrey announced "Hungered" in-studio with Rizkalla on CBS Mornings, not long after the club's 30th anniversary, per Book Riot's reporting.

Quick answers

What did Oprah just pick for her book club?

She picked "Hungered," the debut novel by Amanda Rizkalla, announcing it on CBS Mornings as the club's 125th selection.

Why does Oprah say it's worth reading?

Winfrey called it a "riveting novel" that shows unhoused families' hopes, dreams, and perseverance.

What is "Hungered" about?

The novel follows 12-year-old Sofia, who spends her nights in a parked car with her mom and little brother while their mother searches for somewhere safe to stop.