A Good Read: Difference between revisions

Content deleted Content added

Inline

Revision as of 10:00, 16 July 2024

A Good Read is one of BBC Radio 4's longest-running programmes in which two guests join the main presenter to choose and discuss their favourite books.

The programme was first broadcast in 1979, hosted by John Hale. After him, the presenters included Theresa McGonagle (1980-1984), Brian Gear (1985-1988), Edward Blishen (1989-1997), Louise Doughty (1998-2001) and Sue MacGregor (2003-2010).^[1]^[2] Since 2011 it has been presented by the writer, broadcaster and academic Harriett Gilbert, now the programme's longest serving presenter.^[3]

Collectively the panellists review their chosen titles. The books are always in-print paperbacks and 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 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.

External links

A Good Read

References

^ Paul Donovan. The Radio Companion (1991), p. 110
^ Clare McGinn, "Sue MacGregor steps down from A Good Read", BBC Radio 4, , 3 December 2010.
^ Ben Dowell, "Gilbert to front R4's Good Read", Broadcast, 17 May 2011.

This BBC Radio–related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

[1] Paul Donovan. The Radio Companion (1991), p. 110

[2] Clare McGinn, "Sue MacGregor steps down from A Good Read", BBC Radio 4, , 3 December 2010.

[3] Ben Dowell, "Gilbert to front R4's Good Read", Broadcast, 17 May 2011.

[1]

[2]

[3]

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 '''''A Good Read''''' is one of [[BBC Radio 4]]'s longest-running programmes in which two guests join the main presenter to choose and discuss their favourite books.
-The programme was first broadcast in 1979, hosted by John Hale. After him, the presenters included Theresa McGonagle (1980-1984), Brian Gear (1985-1988), [[Edward Blishen]] (1989-1997), [[Louise Doughty]] (1998-2001) and [[Sue MacGregor]] (2003-2010).<ref>Paul Donovan. ''The Radio Companion'' (1991), p. 110</ref><ref>Clare McGinn, [https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/radio4/2010/12/sue_macgregor_-_a_radio_4_lege.html "Sue MacGregor steps down from A Good Read"], BBC Radio 4, , 3 December 2010.</ref> Since 2001 it has been presented by the writer, broadcaster and academic [[Harriett Gilbert]], now the programme's longest serving presenter.<ref>Ben Dowell, [http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/radio/gilbert-to-front-r4s-good-read/5027702.article "Gilbert to front R4's Good Read"], ''Broadcast'', 17 May 2011.</ref>
+The programme was first broadcast in 1979, hosted by John Hale. After him, the presenters included Theresa McGonagle (1980-1984), Brian Gear (1985-1988), [[Edward Blishen]] (1989-1997), [[Louise Doughty]] (1998-2001) and [[Sue MacGregor]] (2003-2010).<ref>Paul Donovan. ''The Radio Companion'' (1991), p. 110</ref><ref>Clare McGinn, [https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/radio4/2010/12/sue_macgregor_-_a_radio_4_lege.html "Sue MacGregor steps down from A Good Read"], BBC Radio 4, , 3 December 2010.</ref> Since 2011 it has been presented by the writer, broadcaster and academic [[Harriett Gilbert]], now the programme's longest serving presenter.<ref>Ben Dowell, [http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/radio/gilbert-to-front-r4s-good-read/5027702.article "Gilbert to front R4's Good Read"], ''Broadcast'', 17 May 2011.</ref>
 Collectively the panellists review their chosen titles. The books are always in-print [[paperback]]s and 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.