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'The Water Dancer' is Oprah Winfrey's new book club pick

By Annie Martin

Sept. 23 (UPI) --

Oprah Winfrey has selected The Water Dancer as her newest book club pick.

The Water Dancer, author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates' debut novel, is Winfrey's first book club selection since an Oprah's Book Club revival was announced for Apple TV+.

Winfrey appeared Monday on CBS This Morning, where she called The Water Dancer one of the best books she's read in her entire life. Coates met Winfrey for the first time on the show.

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"It's a tremendous, tremendous honor. You're going into the company of Toni Morrison, Coulson Whitehead," Coates said, referencing authors who previously made Winfrey's list. "This is a huge, huge honor for me."

The Water Dancer follows a young boy born into slavery who discovers he has a mysterious power. Winfrey said Monday on Instagram that the book is "as beautiful as it is tragic."

"For me, the only thing more thrilling than being captivated by a brilliant book is being able to share it with others. Which is why I'm excited to bring @oprahsbookclub to @apple starting TODAY! Everyone should not just read but EXPERIENCE my first pick, The Water Dancer, by the brilliant @tanehisipcoates. It will enthrall you. And sometimes leave you breathless. #ReadwithUs," she captioned the post.

Winfrey also discussed The Water Dancer during Monday's episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. She said Coates' use of language reminded her of Beloved author Toni Morrison, whose books Sula and The Bluest Eye are previous Oprah's Book Club picks.

"Oh my God, this book is so fantastic," Winfrey said of The Water Dancer. "[Coates] is a genius writer ... I haven't felt this way since I read Beloved, actually. He has Toni Morrison qualities, in terms of being able to have the mastery of the language and using words to transform the way you see someone."

Winfrey expressed her enthusiasm for the new Oprah's Book Club, but denied reports she will host a new Apple TV+ talk show.

"No. I'm kind of done with the talk show," the star said.

"I think there's rumors because I can do whatever I want, that's what's wonderful about it," she said of her Apple deal. "I'm going to be doing documentaries ... I'll do interviews when something comes along that feels O.G. I'm kind of done with the every day."

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The Water Dancer will officially be released Tuesday, although an excerpt is available via CBS News. Coates previously published a memoir, The Beautiful Struggle, and the book Between the World and Me.

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