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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 grew out of an occasional slot on Weekend Woman's Hour, initiated in 1970.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). On 1 July 1979, billed as a new series, John Hale was the presenter of the programme in its current 30 minute format, with two guests.^[1] Subsequent presenters included Theresa McGonagle (1980-1984), Brian Gear (1985-1988), Edward Blishen (1989-1997), Louise Doughty (1998-2001) and Sue MacGregor (2003-2010).^[2]^[3]

Since 2011 it has been presented by the writer, broadcaster and academic Harriett Gilbert, now the programme's longest serving presenter.^[4] Gilbert had been the host of World Book Club on the BBC World Service since 2002, which she continues to present.

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 has been produced by BBC Bristol over its lifetime. 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

^ BBC Radio 4 listing, 1 Jul 1979, 12:30
^ 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] BBC Radio 4 listing, 1 Jul 1979, 12:30

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

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

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

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 '''''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 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> Gilbert had been the host of [[World Book Club]] on the [[BBC World Service]] since 2002, which she continues to present.
+The programme grew out of an occasional slot on [[Woman's Hour|Weekend Woman's Hour]], initiated in 1970.<ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/1864e3bc219a484eaa0f30e26f8ef7ea BBC Radio 4 listing, 3 Oct 1970, 15:00]<ref> Between 1976 and 1978 Amanda Theunissen hosted three guests in an early version of the format.<ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/1a81bc54604f44fa8205fb72ab3420d3 BBC Radio 4 listing, 3 September 1976, 16:05]</ref> On 1 July 1979, billed as a new series, John Hale was the presenter of the programme in its current 30 minute format, with two guests.<ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/ebae4029bafa43ee8e0c2d217719cc15 BBC Radio 4 listing, 1 Jul 1979, 12:30]</ref> Subsequent 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> Gilbert had been the host of [[World Book Club]] on the [[BBC World Service]] since 2002, which she continues to present.
 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.