It's wonderful to see how authors' lives have been changed as a result of their books' being chosen for Oprah's Book Club. As a reader who was selected for one of her book shows, my life was enhanced too. I had the privilege of engaging in discussion with this incredibly intelligent and literate woman. Unlike the authors, I don't have a new house or BMW, and my children's college funds are still woefully inadequate, but I wouldn't trade my adventure for anything. Here's to Oprah and to books!
Tara Howard, Westborough, Mass.
As a hardworking novelist who finally had her book accepted by a publisher, I was pleased to read your cover story. Not only is Oprah reminding people of all ages that reading is important and even fun, she's also giving writers hope that their efforts to communicate will not be in vain.
Eugenia Maria Renskoff, San Francisco
Last year I wrote a 10-page paper on "How Oprah Winfrey Has Changed Our World" for my high school English class. Your cover proves she has a way of touching hearts and transforming lives. She has revolutionized the talk show, and whether you like her or not, there is no denying that she has altered our society for the better.
Kristin Gunther, Wheaton, Ill.
Oprah not only touches authors, she has also turned many people into avid readers.
Joanne Johnson, New Haven, Mich.
Van and Shirley Hughes
Van and Shirley Hughes are truly special people. Despite their desire for a tranquil retirement, they did the right thing. They are visions of hope for those 10 children they adopted, who may have felt they would never find a real family.
J. Rudd, Houston
No cosmetic surgery, no hair transplants, not on any 10 Best Dressed lists. Yet Van and Shirley Hughes are the most beautiful couple in America.
Susan Kelenfy, Braselton, Ga.
My husband and I became foster parents at the age of 50, after raising two of our own children. I wish we could bring more children into our home like the Hugheses, but we limit ourselves to one, because we both work. I hope your wonderful story will encourage more empty nesters to give a home to children in need.
Linda Nolan Hearn, Swansea, Ill.
Judy and Dennis Shepard
As a 27-year-old male in a tough world, I find little that moves me to tears, as the story of Matthew Shepard did. His parents' words were profound and touching. Judy Shepard said Matt used to write poems and leave one in every mailbox on their street. I feel Matt's legacy is as if he had run up and down every street in the world and left a poem in our hearts. Dennis Shepard said the road leading to the fence where Matt was attacked and abandoned "was barely a trail, all rutted and rough"—a description symbolic of life's road for those who still suffer from discrimination and hate.
D. Skylar Aud, Los Angeles
Mailbag
Robin Suttell complains about the exposure PEOPLE gives celebrities with debilitating or fatal diseases. What she doesn't seem to understand is that a story about Montel Williams's dealing with multiple sclerosis will make readers more aware of MS. With greater awareness, more funds are raised for research and possibly finding a cure. Your stories also raise people's spirits. For example, I was extremely ill at the time Christopher Reeve had his accident. Your stories about him made me feel that if he could deal with his problems, I could certainly deal with mine.
Haley De Stafano, Springfield, Pa.
I resent Robin Suttell's letter about the irritation of "regular people" who read stories about celebrities stricken with illnesses. Speak for yourself, Robin! I was diagnosed with MS just before Montel Williams went public. I appreciate his openness and his efforts to bring much-needed funding for research. Celebrities, through their fame, can do what "regular people" cannot.
Cindy Wilder Clark, Kilmarnock, Va.
As a pastor's wife, I know how life can be in a fishbowl. I feel certain Amy Grant's divorce was not a casual choice. It followed years of trying to make her marriage work. Each person who rebuked Amy needs to be careful that her own garden is free of weeds.
Name Withheld
As soon as I read your story about Amy Grant and Vince Gill, I knew the "Christian" response was coming. For all you holier-than-thou people who decided God died and left you in charge, maybe you should look at your own lives. What's that quote? "He that is without sin..."
Jennifer Fields-Lehnus, Cleveland, Okla.
Anyone who has followed Amy Grant's career knows she has been very public about her struggles in her relationship with Gary Chapman. They both worked for years to keep their marriage together—probably longer than most couples. But being Christian does not mean you have to stay in a bad marriage. Amy deserves happiness.
Cindy Davis, San Diego
A divorce is a painful thing for anyone to go through, whether you are a Christian or not, and mocking Amy Grant's faith during this time is just cruel. As for Christian radio stations' pulling her music, her songs still offer the same message of God's love and salvation, whether she is divorced or not!
Jennifer Divers, Columbus, Miss.
In your Dec. 13 issue, in the story on the man who found $82,000 in the gas tank of a car he purchased at a government auction, you stated that police had originally "stopped the car's Mexican driver." Why was his background an issue? If the driver were white, it would not have been mentioned. The mainstream media continue to depict minorities in a negative light.
D.R. Martin, Columbus, Ohio
We were referring to the driver's nationality, not his ethnicity.—ED.
Robin Strasser
The last day of Robin Strasser's irreplaceable portrayal of Dorian Lord on One Life to Live will be my last day as a viewer. I can use the extra time to rewatch Ms. Strasser's informative video Menopause S.O.S.: Sharing Options & Support. The Web site www.menopausesos.com describes the video, which can be ordered by calling 888-WOMEN-44.
Sandy Hudson, Indianapolis
Gena Foster
I was disheartened by the incident on I-65 that claimed the life of Gena Foster. Had Shirley Henson not been allowed legally to carry a revolver in her car, this incident may well have ended with some cursing and hurt feelings instead of the death of a young mother. Until we pass new laws that restrict where and when we are allowed to have weapons, I am afraid this death will simply be yet another statistic. Gena surely deserves a better memorial than that.
Sherri Harris, Hoover, Ala.
I am trying to figure out what is worse: that Shirley Henson can kill a mother of three or that our justice system can let her live free for the next year! Throw that woman in jail and make it quick before someone else pulls in front of her and ends up like poor Gena Foster!
Rhonda Chaloux, Atlanta
Stanley Kaplan
I just read your article on Stanley Kaplan's improving SAT scores. My daughter is a junior in high school, and her English class this year had a unit on SAT vocabulary words. They were given 200 words found on the SAT and told to find 25 in a newspaper or magazine. Guess where my daughter found all 25 of her words! Yup! In PEOPLE! I think instead of paying hundreds of dollars for classes, I'll just make sure my children read PEOPLE from now on.
Sydney Cochran, Swedesboro, N.J.
Saved by the Bell Reunion
The hookups, the meltdowns, the memoires
The case reveals what was really going on what they think of each other now!
