what's your opinion on Richard and Judy book choices

[learntojive]

"Wouldn't normally have touched it as it's a Richard + Judy recommended read" ...just copied this sentence from another thread (am I allowed to do that??) and it made me wonder what everyone thinks of the Richard and Judy books?
I used to enjoy their selections but as the years have gone have found they're choosing books that will have a limited appeal to general readers.
I'm willing to give anything a go if it's a good read but the last few I've tried of theirs I haven't been able to get into at all.

[Beatrice35]

Prefer to read Oprah Winfrey's book club choices to be honest. Oprah is my heroine as she is such an inspirational lady. She has many inspirational guests on her shows, too :-) Tend to just choose my books from newspaper reviews or by just reading the back cover of a book. Have even purchased a book on title alone like The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd- really , really, would recommend this books as it is fabulous + now been made into a film :-) Good luck learntojive :-) Ciao for now, Bea :-)

[Rosetta]

I,ve had mixed experiences with some of their recommended books, I enjoyed The Island but had to ditch The Rose of Sebastopol (which is unusual for me).

Generally though, for some its a starting point when presented with the plethora of books in the shops. I think the danger is that they select books because they are "different" rather than having any other quality. Having said that, my idea of a good read is not definitive and the selection should have a variety which appeals to the reading public in general

They are certainly popular, as is demonstrated by the best seller lists.

[saxy_jag]

It's generally said among wannabe writers that these days, if your book makes the Richard and Judy list, then it's made it good. I've certainly found more readable stuff on their lists than on those of, say, the Orange and Man Booker prizes and I'm not the only one who says this.

Oh, and by the way, it's not actually Richard and Judy who choose the books - it's done by a professional reader/editor.

[ethandron]

agree with saxy. i would say i really enjoy maybe 19 out of 20 of the richard and judy choices, and have bought just about all of their club selections (summer reads, book club, etc.). as we're on an economy drive, my husband has started to read through them, having discounted them as 'womens' books in the past, and has been surprised that he's enjoyed those he's read so far. not surprising to me though, as i believe they're aimed at both men and women.
for me, it takes the randomness out of choosing a book and the disappointment and waste of money involved if i don't like it. it's also meant i've read books i wouldn't have bothered with in the past so has broadened my horizon in terms of the books i read, which can only be a good thing. i always wait for their special offers on-line and rarely buy them in the shops.

[Bbbananas]

So far all of the books I have read that were R&J's book choices, I have enjoyed - and I should think I have read at least two-thirds of them.
For the record, I did actually enjoy Rose of Sebastapol very much.
(are people aware though, that it is not actually richard & judy personally who choose the books).

[learntojive]

Thanks for your answers everyone, I've bought most of them myself over the years and have to say I've enjoyed them all up until recently. Maybe I just chose the wrong ones from the latest batch (The Rose of Sebastopol being one of them) Wouldn't do if we all liked the same I guess x

...by the way if anyones interested, the book people have the 2008 list on offer 5 for �10 which is a real bargain or �3 each. Click on the January sale link on the left and then Richard and Judy book club. http://www.thebookpeople.co.uk/