Britain鈥檚 first celebrity book club explored in new book

A “fascinating” new book by a Reading researcher tells the story of Britain's first celebrity book club and the judges who moulded the tastes of the nation’s reading public.

Dr Nicola Wilson’s “Recommended! The influencers who changed how we read” focuses on the history of the Book Society – a group of literary figures who shook up the interwar publishing world. 

Published by independent publisher , Dr Wilson’s work has garnered several positive reviews from major outlets. calls Wilson’s book a “fascinating, gossipy and well-researched slice of publishing history”, while the describes it as “unexpectedly moving” and “a tribute to the healing power of reading”.

Dr Wilson, Associate Professor of Book and Publishing Studies and co-director of the Centre for Book Cultures and Publishing, said the project evolved significantly from its academic origins:

“Starting out as a British Academy-funded Postdoctoral Fellowship, this book has been a real journey as I've shifted from an academic project through to more of a narrative, character-led story,” Wilson said.

“I'm keen to continue this aspect of writing and sharing my research with wider audiences and am grateful for all the support and coverage the book has received so far.”

A novel look at the history of popular literature

A forerunner of modern social media literary influencers and celebrity book clubs, the had a huge impact on the tastes of contemporary British readers and the sales of publishers. 

For nearly forty years between 1929-1968, the chose from the best of world literature to mail out one book a month – fiction, history, travel, or biography – to subscribers in over thirty countries.

Drawing on surviving diaries and letters from archives across Reading, Canterbury, Oxford and Austin, Texas, Wilson examines how the judges' personal lives, affairs, and politics informed their recommendations – and shows how the legacy of their taste is still with us on bookshelves today.

A launch event for the book will be held on Tuesday 15 July at 16:00 BST, hosted by the Centre for Book Cultures and Publishing at the 色狗导航.

The event is free and open to all. More information can be found on .