Will literary trendsetter Oprah Winfrey select Jonathan Franzen‘s Freedom for her next book club? The Newtonville Books blog has speculated she might pick the novel.

Here’s an excerpt: “I recently received an email from my Macmillian sales rep alerting me that Oprah has selected the next book for her Book Club. There is always a frenzy surrounding the announcement, which is shrouded in secrecy. This is what Macmillian knows: 1. Oprah #64 is one of their titles. 2. Oprah will announce the book on September 17th. That will also be the onsale date of the title. (At least, the official Book Club-stickered edition. No guarantees that the book hasn’t been out already.).”

UPDATE: Former GalleyCat blogger Ron Hogan added on Twitter: “Despite the @galleycat speculation, I predict: Oprah is NOT picking FREEDOM, because the book she has picked is from St. Martin’s.”

In 2001, Franzen famously mentioned that “I considered turning it down” when he was offered a spot on Winfrey’s show and was un-invited from the show. (Via Ron Charles)