BOSTON -- A very emotional Oprah Winfrey announced Friday that her show will come to an end in 2011.

In the 25 years that she's been on the air, Winfrey has changed countless lives around the world, and right here in Massachusetts.

NewsCenter 5's Jorge Quiroga reported that a thumbs-up from the talk show queen translates into the "Oprah Effect."

"I don't watch her on TV. I don't follow her but if I see a book on the shelf that's recommended by her, I often buy it and read it," said Gail Bjornholm, of Cape Cod.

The New England Mobile Book fair gives Winfrey's picks its own section.

She has turned many an obscure author into a best-seller. Her picks, some say, are more influential than the New York Times Best Seller's List.

"When you talk to an author now, that's always the joke. 'My publisher says they are going to get me on Oprah.' Every author says that," said John Strymish, of the New England Mobile Bookstore.

In the talk show world, booking a big interview can make the news. But if you have a product to sell, even a passing mention on Winfrey can be a gold mine. She has the Midas touch.

Newton's Light Wedge book light took off after it was featured on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" from an average of 10 sales a day to 1,200 in a matter of hours.

"The phone started ringing. The Web site was dong a transaction a second. People were buying them for the next two months. It was solid," said Light Wedge CEO Jamey Bennett.

Two years later the book light is still their best seller.

A Centerville pie shop tasted Winfrey's influence. Knowing she was on the cape for Eunice Shriver's funeral, they sent the Queen of Daytime TV a sampling of their signature chicken pie.

The rest is history. Winfrey and her best friend, Gail King, loved them, raved and orders went from 30 a day to over 100.