Having visited my local book shop this evening, I noticed that some titles have the Summer Read 2007 stickers on them including "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen". When is the list going to be on the site? It seems odd that we can find out what they are in the shops already...
Call me a cynic, Charlie-bois, but I think the whole point of the R&J Summer Read is an exercise in commercialism; designed primarily to boost the profits of publishing houses and get free publicity for up and coming hacks. Hence the reason why lot of duff titles are included in the list. If R&J included the telephone directory on the list, I daresay its readership would rise commensurately.
I think they should include some classic titles, such as Dickens, Joyce, F.Scott Fitzgerald, Virginia Woolf etc. but as these authors are now out of copyright, there’s no money in it for the publishing moguls. Instead, we get mediocrity masquerading as literature with some bubble head celebrity on the sofa to review it. Late Review it ain’t! Although that programme hasn’t been the same since Tom Paulin and cockney wide boy Tony Parsons stopped appearing.
The only people benefiting from the R&J book clubs are the likes of Waterstones, who, by emblazoning their books with the R&J stickers, are guaranteed to shift them by the shedload.
“Salmon Fishing in the Yemen”……………………..I can hardly wait………………………………............
The books I've read from their list have just been real pap. None have been a really meaty good read.
I usually get my reviews from the Amazon site which give a better all round review from the general public. I think it's a much better way for me to gauge whether a book is good or not.
I have seen the books from the book club in Tesco, Sainsbury and Asda, all with the R&J stickers on and a member of staff told me that they are extremely popular and "more or less run off of the shelf"
The idea of the Summer Read books, as I understand it, is too keep the stories interesting, exciting and informative but not too heavy so that you can put the book down go and have a swim,meal,drink,nap or any of the things people do on holiday and pop back to the book when you want. Also,being all paper backs, they are lighter to pack and carry.
I always watch the Book Awards,hosted by R&J and lots of the celebrities every year praise their programme for getting people interested in reading.
I know POG often makes snide remarks about the book club but I bet he wishes an item was as popular on his programme.
i am going to go out and get The Memory keepers Daughter..i will let you know what i think of it..once i have read it... i was gonna get it last week..but Tesco had run out... oh well, there is always waterstones...apparently i could get it for £1.99 if i spend another £10 in the shop...offer is on until wednesday 11th july...
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Originally posted by chris branch: I have seen the books from the book club in Tesco, Sainsbury and Asda, all with the R&J stickers on and a member of staff told me that they are extremely popular and "more or less run off of the shelf"
The idea of the Summer Read books, as I understand it, is too keep the stories interesting, exciting and informative but not too heavy so that you can put the book down go and have a swim,meal,drink,nap or any of the things people do on holiday and pop back to the book when you want. Also,being all paper backs, they are lighter to pack and carry.
I always watch the Book Awards,hosted by R&J and lots of the celebrities every year praise their programme for getting people interested in reading.
I know POG often makes snide remarks about the book club but I bet he wishes an item was as popular on his programme.
I think anything which encourages people to read more is a marvellous thing. I'm an avid reader myself and I think it improves your general knowledge and perception of life. It's a shame that a lot of young people these days never read a book unless it's for their English Lit GCSE as reading's not "cool".
i love reading....the only books that POG endorses are the bio or autobios..which are good in themselves...but i have to say that the bookclub is a good part of the R&J show... and of this summer's list i have already read Getting Rid of Matthew...it is a good book..but definitely one of those that you can put down to do other things and then go back to...which is what i do....no choice really..lol! but when i get to near the end..i can't stop...i am usually up until the early hours...because i just have to find out the final outcome...
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Smile I think anything which encourages people to read more is a marvellous thing. I'm an avid reader myself and I think it improves your general knowledge and perception of life. It's a shame that a lot of young people these days never read a book unless it's for their English Lit GCSE as reading's not "cool".
i agree..my partner's sister is 24 and she has only just started reading....she is into Jacqueline Wilson at the moment... i couldn't believe it when she told me that she had never read a book...once i started at the age of 5...and a bit...i couldn't stop..... each to their own, of course...
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Originally posted by corkman: Call me a cynic, Charlie-bois, but I think the whole point of the R&J Summer Read is an exercise in commercialism; designed primarily to boost the profits of publishing houses and get free publicity for up and coming hacks. Hence the reason why lot of duff titles are included in the list. If R&J included the telephone directory on the list, I daresay its readership would rise commensurately.
I think they should include some classic titles, such as Dickens, Joyce, F.Scott Fitzgerald, Virginia Woolf etc. but as these authors are now out of copyright, there’s no money in it for the publishing moguls. Instead, we get mediocrity masquerading as literature with some bubble head celebrity on the sofa to review it. Late Review it ain’t! Although that programme hasn’t been the same since Tom Paulin and cockney wide boy Tony Parsons stopped appearing.
The only people benefiting from the R&J book clubs are the likes of Waterstones, who, by emblazoning their books with the R&J stickers, are guaranteed to shift them by the shedload.
“Salmon Fishing in the Yemen”……………………..I can hardly wait………………………………............
I have to say, that this thread got me laughing. I Must admit I am cynical too and before I saw this thread I too, thought of the immense commercialism that this can bring to all concerned. What a perfect platform to sell your wares.
I also live with one that reads, but I dont have the time or the inclination. Far more exciting things to do in life than sit and read. That can come later when Im old and Grey, not long now Ha Ha. If I was off to sunnier climes, the last thing on my mind would be reading, Id be out there exploring the culture and history far more educating I feel.
So by now I bet you have guessed that I wont be running down to the shops to buy the latest Favourite Summer Read.
Originally posted by boysmama72: i love reading....the only books that POG endorses are the bio or autobios..which are good in themselves...but i have to say that the bookclub is a good part of the R&J show... and of this summer's list i have already read Getting Rid of Matthew...it is a good book..but definitely one of those that you can put down to do other things and then go back to...which is what i do....no choice really..lol! but when i get to near the end..i can't stop...i am usually up until the early hours...because i just have to find out the final outcome...
I've also read Getting Rid of Matthew but didn't realise it was on R & J Book List. Thought it was a reasonably good book. When I was younger, I was read until 3.00 or 4.00 in the morning if the book was that good but now I'm older, haven't got the energy for that!
hi muggy! i am not sure if it is on the list..it is just that i get emails from Tesco.com.. and they have a link to the R&J summer reads..it is on that list... i don't think that i will be reading "Salmon fishing on the Yemen"...but then again...who knows... haha...i know what you mean about having the energy to read until late,,,i think my latest is about 1.30am these days and then i am shattered for about 2 or 3 days after..lol! ...but i used to be the same as you...3 or 4am...oooh them were the days...lol!
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They certainly were. Oh to be young again! Like you, I don't fancy Salmon Fishing on the Yemen (think the title may be misleading, as salmon are fresh water fish and I think the Yemen is salt water?) Have a nice day anyway and keep up with the reading!
thanks Muggy, i will....you too... oh and i got the Memorykeeper's Daughter today....from Tesco! happy reading to you and everyone...
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I feel uneasy that the books they highlight get to the best sellers list, whereas I'm sure there are lots of better books that are overlooked.
The publicity that those chosen get I'm sure would cost many thousands. I don't know what the alternative would be though, as this item is very popular.
Originally posted by Muggy1: Reading "Tara" by Lesley Pearse at the moment and it's quite good. I'll probably try the one you're reading when I've finished it. Thanks!
what is Tara about then? let me what you think of both books when you are finished,ok? i will start reading mine soon..maybe not tonight though, feeling a bit tired..
take care xxx
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Originally posted by corky: I feel uneasy that the books they highlight get to the best sellers list, whereas I'm sure there are lots of better books that are overlooked.
The publicity that those chosen get I'm sure would cost many thousands. I don't know what the alternative would be though, as this item is very popular.
i agree, there are probably lots of books better than the ones in the list...but these ones are chosen for the 'easy reading' style, i would say... i am not sure otherwise...
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Originally posted by Muggy1: Reading "Tara" by Lesley Pearse at the moment and it's quite good. I'll probably try the one you're reading when I've finished it. Thanks!
what is Tara about then? let me what you think of both books when you are finished,ok? i will start reading mine soon..maybe not tonight though, feeling a bit tired..
take care xxx
Morning. Lovely sunny day here - hope it keeps it up! It's basically about a young girl brought up in a rough area of London (don't want to say too much or it will spoil it for you) who has to change her name and identity because of her violent father. It's not "unputdownable" but I'm enjoying it, hope you will too!
thanks! i will look out for it... where are you then? i haven't got any sun here...lol!
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Originally posted by boysmama72: thanks! i will look out for it... where are you then? i haven't got any sun here...lol!
I'm in North Lincolnshire boysmama. Which area do you live in? Speak to your later, going shopping now. Have a nice day and hope the sun comes out for you!
I think anything which encourages people to read more is a marvellous thing. I'm an avid reader myself and I think it improves your general knowledge and perception of life. It's a shame that a lot of young people these days never read a book unless it's for their English Lit GCSE as reading's not "cool".
I've also read Getting Rid of Matthew but didn't realise it was on R & J Book List. Thought it was a reasonably good book. When I was younger, I was read until 3.00 or 4.00 in the morning if the book was that good but now I'm older, haven't got the energy for that!
That should have been "I would read"
