Greenlight Bookstore FEC Novel Selected for Oprah's Book Club

A Brooklyn author is in the spotlight after being honored with a designation that comes with much prestige and attention: a spot on Oprah Winfrey's coveted Book Club list. 

Ayana Mathis's The Twelve Tribes of Hattie, a tale that explores race, gender and struggle, tells the story of a family that, inspite of circumstances that leave them hardened and scattered, remain very much a family. It is Mathis's first novel. 

The book was selected by Winfrey for her revamped book club in November. "I have found it!" Winfrey exclaimed in a video on her website. She noted she was immediately drawn into the novel, saying it, "Absolutely floored me."

Before being thrust into the national spotlight, The Twelve Tribes of Hattie was selected by Fort Greene's Greenlight Bookstore for its First Editions Club (FEC). 

"Everyone at Greenlight is thrilled that Oprah agrees with us: The Twelve Tribes of Hattie is a powerful debut, and is well worthy of the (now even greater) attention it will be receiving," said Rebecca Fitting, Greenlight Bookstore co-owner and FEC selection committee member in a statement.

Mathis will hold her bookstore book launch at Greenlight at 7:30 p.m. on Mon., Jan. 7. The reading and signing signing will be followed by a wine reception.