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Richard and Judy 2009 Book Club – Complete!

Richard and Judy host a TV programme, here in the UK. Every year they chose a selection of books, and then review them on their show. I have been following their book club for a few years, and have read some great books thanks to them.

This year’s Richard and Judy selection didn’t seem as strong as in previous years. I was disappointed with many of the books; the majority were average, or worse, and contained many flaws. I’m not sure that I will read the entire list in future years, especially as I am unable to watch the TV programme now that it has moved onto a satallite channel.

There were a few great reads though. I was very pleased to discover The Luminous Life of Lilly Aphrodite and The Suspicions of Mr Whicher both were rich, informative reads that I highly recommend.

Have you read this years R&J selection? If so, I’d love to know your opinion. Do you think the standard has dropped this year? Will you be reading the list in future years?

 Richard and Judy’s 2009 Book Club Choices


Brutal Art by Jesse Kellerman


Suspicions of Mr Whicher by Kate Summerscale


The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson


When Will There Be Good News? by Kate Atkinson


The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff



The Bolter by Frances Osborne


Netherland by Joseph O’Neill

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The Luminous Life of Lilly Aphrodite by Beatrice Colin


December by Elizabeth H Winthrop


The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway

7 replies on “Richard and Judy 2009 Book Club – Complete!”

Congratulations! I read four – The Gargoyle, The Bolter, When Will There Be Good News and The Suspicions of My Whicher last year before they became R & J books. All safe picks and as a result, yes, the standard probably is a little better. I liked them all, to varying degrees. The rest I decided to wait for, knowing that they would be in plentiful supply in the library and on swap sites a few months down the line. I had a look at the Kellerman and (like you) was unimpressed. Netherland holds no interest for me. December and The Cellist of Sarajevo I have sen and would like to read but I’m in no rush. I picked up the 19th Wife for £1 in a sale (no idea when I’ll get to it) and I have Lily Aphrodite (looking very promising) out from the library right now. Well you asked!

Well, I feel like a loser! I’ve not read any of them, however I have Mr. Whicher on my List. If I could just FINISH GONE WITH THE WIND!!!!! I could move on to the many things on my shelves! OK, I’m off to see if I can get to page 800 tonight. If I do, it would be the first time I’d actually be caught up with the schedule!

Interesting you thought this a weak year, I felt it was quite stroong bar the middling December and the awful Netherland. Whicher and Lilly amazing and I love Kate Atkinson so it had me from hello in some ways. I havent tried do do all of the reads or summer reads before so I only have a few pickings of their earliet years to compare it to which is sad as (if insider info is to be believed) this year is quite possibly the last!

Simon – I’m really sad to hear that this might be the last year. I’ve never read them all in a row like this before, but I have read all of some years eventually, and I found the average score to be much higher – most years have included at least one 5/5 and I don’t think I’ve ever had a 1/5 before. Perhaps I’ll have to do a summary like this for each of the years, so I can do a proper comparison!

Sandy – I’m not surprised that you haven’t read any of them – it’s a UK thing really. I recommend you find Mr. Whicher and The Glimmer Palace though, as they are great reads.

Jane – I’m impressed that you read 4 before the list came out. I only had The Gargoyle before finding it was on the list. I think you’ve read the best ones once you’ve read Lilly – I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

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