2/7
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Aside from Frey, the 2001 selection is arguably the Book Club's other big "scandal," as its author Jonathan Franzen wasn't exactly thrilled to be picked. After calling his own work "a hard book for that audience," he said Oprah "picked enough schmaltzy, one-dimensional [books] that I cringe, myself."
After hearing his complaints, Oprah disinvited Franzen from appearing on the show, releasing the following statement: "He is seemingly uncomfortable and conflicted about being chosen as an Oprah's Book Club selection. It is never my intention to make anyone uncomfortable or cause anyone conflict." Translation: boy bye.
Franzen then apologized, saying, "I'm sorry and I wish we could have dinner. Maybe not on TV." Not interested then, Oprah eventually invited Franzen on her show in 2010 when she chose his novel Freedom as her pick, which went on to hit No. 1.