Book of the Week
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| Genre | Literary reading |
|---|---|
| Running time | 15 mins |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Language(s) | English |
| Home station | BBC Radio 4 |
| Created by | Di Speirs |
| Narrated by | Various readers |
| Original release | 1998 – present |
| Website | BBC website page |
Book of the Week is a long-running BBC Radio 4 series first broadcast in 1998. It comprises of daily readings from an abridged version of a selected book, typically non-fiction, over five weekday episodes. Each episode is approximately 15 minutes long and is broadcast in the morning at 9:45 am, with a repeat airing early next morning at 00:30 am.
History
[edit]Book of the Week was launched in 1998 under the editorship of Di Speirs, who has had a significant role in producing Radio 4's literary output.[1][2]
In 2010, the programme temporarily made way for the 100-part series A History of the World in 100 Objects, a collaboration between the BBC and the British Museum.[3] Book of the Week returned after the special series had finished.
Format and content
[edit]Each week, an abridged version of a selected book is read by a professional actor, notable personality, or the author. The selections often include memoirs, biographies, historical accounts, and cultural analyses. The programme complements other Radio 4 literary strands such as Book at Bedtime and Open Book.
An abridged version of Bill Gates' book How to Avoid a Climate Disaster was read by actor William Hope in February 2021.[4] Notable authors who have read their own books include Michelle Obama, who read a version of her book The Light We Carry in 2023,[5] and Clive James, who read a version of his book The Blaze of Obscurity in October 2009.[6] Readers include the actor David Tennant, who read Stargazing: Memoirs of a Young Lighthouse Keeper by Peter Hill in January 2004.[7]
Audience and reception
[edit]According to the BBC's audience statistics, Book of the Week attracts a predominantly female (60%) and older (50% are 65+) audience with 72% of the listeners being white-collar workers.[8]
In 2009, Radio 4 controller Mark Damazer described Book of the Week as "a vital part of Radio 4".[3]
References
[edit]- ^ "What I've learned from 15 years of the BBC National Short Story Award". BBC. September 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
- ^ "Di Speirs. Elected: 2022". Royal Society of Literature. September 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
- ^ a b Plunkett, John (25 November 2009). "100-part global history series to take Radio 4's Book of the Week slot". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
- ^ "Book of the Week: How to Avoid a Climate Disaster by Bill Gates". BBC Programme Index. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
- ^ "Book of the Week: The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama". BBC Programme Index. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "Book of the Week – The Blaze of Obscurity". BBC. 19 October 2009. Archived from the original on 22 October 2009. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
- ^ "Book of the Week: Stargazing: Memoirs of a Young Lighthouse Keeper". BBC Programme Index. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- ^ "Book of the Week Audience Pack" (PDF). BBC. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
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