BBC Series, Between the Covers

[Brian.]

I stumbled upon the BBC Series Between the Covers last night and wondered if anyone else has seen it and what they think of it. As far as I'm aware it's the only book programme on mainstream TV in the UK and although it introduced me to a book I think I'll like, I can't say I was too impressed with it. The humour in it felt really really forced and the scripted 'funny' intro to each section was awful. I'm not going to give up on it yet, it might have been a bad one-off, or it may grow on me but I'm quite disappointed by it.

[lunababymoonchild]

I've seen it and like you I wasn't impressed.  Every episode is like that and I thought that it did not provide an inducement to read more.

Edited December 2, 2021 by lunababymoonchild

[Hux]

Panel show comedians talking about some forgettable (but zeitgeisty) contemporary novel for less than three minutes. It's all a bit flimsy.

 

I'd prefer something weightier. I used to (half) enjoy Newsnight Review. They at least focused on one book for about twenty minutes. 

Edited December 2, 2021 by Hux

[willoyd]

I haven't watched, although do mean to.  I was put off when one of my book groups suggested reading one of their 'Winter Warmer' books, a choice of 12 'must read' titles, and I was completely underwhelmed by the list.  None were must-reads, a couple were maybes.   Even the Penelope Fitzgerald title (The Bookshop) was perhaps the one Fitzgerald I didn't actually enjoy much!  Going through their choices for this list and others, I think I just read different books, as very few have any appeal, and where I have read authors or books, I've more often than not found them wanting (there are some exceptions!).  But then Radio 4's Open Book does very little for me either.  A Good Read is far more up my street.  Trouble is, when it comes to fiction, nobody on these programmes ever seems to read anything more than a few years old, if that.  It's as if the twentieth and earlier centuries almost didn't exist.  And as for non-fiction.....(other than for a few memoir/biogs)!

 

talking about some forgettable (but zeitgeisty) contemporary novel for less than three minutes. It's all a bit flimsy.

Nailed it. 3 minutes or 10 minutes, it's always the same on these and other 'arts' programmes.

Edited December 5, 2021 by willoyd

[lunababymoonchild]

Perhaps this series isn't aimed at us i.e. regular readers.  Perhaps it exists to encourage those who would otherwise not read to read and that's why the programme doesn't really mean anything to us.

 

I used to enjoy The Book Show on Sky Arts as presented by Mariella Frostrup, unfortunately cancelled. 

[Madeleine]

I think the Book Show is  still on occasionally, you need to search for it though!

[lunababymoonchild]

7 minutes ago, Madeleine said:

I think the Book Show is  still on occasionally, you need to search for it though!

 

Thank you, I'll have a look.

[timebug]

I prefer the sky Arts one,which is one hour long and goes (a bit!) into more detail of the chosen books. But I agree that nay tv show that may encourage reading from otherwise non-readers or casual readers, is a good thing.

[Anna Faversham]

I was excited to think there was a book programme at last but gave up on it fairly soon.