A Good Read
Encyclopedia
A Good Read is one of BBC Radio 4
's longest running programmes where two guests join the main presenter to choose and discuss their favourite book. Sue MacGregor
stepped down in 2010 as the programme's longest serving presenter (7 years). Her successor is the writer, broadcaster and academic Harriett Gilbert
who takes up the reins at the end of May 2011.
Collectively the panellists review their chosen titles. The books are always in-print paperback
s, affordable and the reviews are honest and genuinely driven by the taste of the guests. Recently the programme has reviewed graphic novels and books available on the internet. It is not unusual for a guest to find themselves alone in defending their choice. Audiences see it as a simple but effective way of getting recommendations for books to read, with publishers keen to have their books featured on the programme.
The programme began in 1977 and has been produced by the BBC Bristol over that time. It is a deceptively hard programme to present as the presenter needs to read around 30 books - cover to cover - over a 12 week period and nearly 100 books for the programme in a year.
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
's longest running programmes where two guests join the main presenter to choose and discuss their favourite book. Sue MacGregor
Sue MacGregor
Susan Katriona MacGregor CBE is a British writer and broadcaster.-Early life:Her parents were Scottish and emigrated to South Africa where she was brought up. Her father was a doctor, a neurologist who was in the British 14th Army in Burma in the Royal Army Medical Corps...
stepped down in 2010 as the programme's longest serving presenter (7 years). Her successor is the writer, broadcaster and academic Harriett Gilbert
Harriett Gilbert
Harriett Sarah Gilbert is an English writer, academic and broadcaster, particularly of arts and book programmes on the BBC World Service. She is the daughter of the writer Michael Gilbert...
who takes up the reins at the end of May 2011.
Collectively the panellists review their chosen titles. The books are always in-print paperback
Paperback
Paperback, softback or softcover describe and refer to a book by the nature of its binding. The covers of such books are usually made of paper or paperboard, and are usually held together with glue rather than stitches or staples...
s, affordable and the reviews are honest and genuinely driven by the taste of the guests. Recently the programme has reviewed graphic novels and books available on the internet. It is not unusual for a guest to find themselves alone in defending their choice. Audiences see it as a simple but effective way of getting recommendations for books to read, with publishers keen to have their books featured on the programme.
The programme began in 1977 and has been produced by the BBC Bristol over that time. It is a deceptively hard programme to present as the presenter needs to read around 30 books - cover to cover - over a 12 week period and nearly 100 books for the programme in a year.