Watch Oprah and Susan Cain Discuss “Bittersweet,” the 99th Oprah’s Book Club Pick
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We all experience moments of elation and moments of sorrow, but how do we endure through these up and down states? Oprah loved Susan Cain’s Bittersweet because it explored how these opposing emotions coexist—and how they can lead us to a richer understanding of happiness. The sit-down conversation between Oprah, Cain, and four Oprah’s Book Club members tackles these themes and more—watch the video here.
Prior to the discussion, Oprah explained that she wanted to spotlight a book that could uplift, soothe, and “allow us to feel okay about our feelings,” as Bitterwsweet does. “I picked it for a reason because it acknowledges that yes, we all have our struggles, we all have our sadnesses, but it gives us a new way to think about some of our challenges.”
In the video, the group dives into everything from the painful trials of the pandemic to the complex relationship Cain has had with her mother, which she details in chapter 4. “This is where the book actually begins for me,” Oprah says. “It’s the core of the book; it’s the heart of everything you’re trying to say.” (Need to catch up? Read an excerpt.)
Bittersweet (Oprah's Book Club)
amazon.com
Later, one Book Club member, Zoe, reveals her struggles after her mother’s death and how the book helped her. Another club member, Ahtiya, says her coworkers, friends, and students sometimes try to see only the bright side of things, but “what that leads to is them not knowing how to deal with their problems, not knowing how to deal with the very real emotions that they’re having.” For her, Bittersweet was a game changer in helping her learn about the complexities of her grief.
How did you feel about this book? What did you take away? To share your ideas about the book and follow Oprah’s Book Club, find us on Instagram, Facebook, or here on Oprah Daily. #ReadWithUs.
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