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Hachette leads the way in R&J WHS summer picks

11.05.11 | Lisa Campbell

Hachette has the lion's share of titles featured in the W H Smith Summer Richard and Judy Book Club list. Five out of the eight books featured in the celebrity couple's high street retailer promotion are from the publishing house—including two from Headline and one each from Sceptre, Hodder and Virago.

Sarah Winman's When God Was A Rabbit and The Death Instinct by Jed Rubenfeld are the chosen titles under Headline, with The Poison Tree by Erin Kelly representing Hodder, The Novel in The Viola by Natasha Solomons is the title for Sceptre, while The Return of Captain John Emmett by Elizabeth Speller features for Virago.

The other three titles in the third Richard and Judy promotion comprise The Confessions of Katherine Howard by Suzannah Dunn from HarperPress and Every Last One by Anna Quindlen under Windmill Books – a Random House imprint. The third is The Summer of the Bear by Bella Pollen (Pan Mac).

Since the W H Smith Richard and Judy Book Club launched in September last year, around 2 million copies of the promotion titles have been sold and the man-and-wife team announced yesterday they have signed an exclusive deal to extend the promotion with the retailer until 2015.

The showbusiness pair both personally read and write recommendations of the eight titles featured in their Book Club three times a year. Richard Madeley said: “Judy and I considered the combination of novels carefully to ensure we picked something for everyone this summer, and guarantee holiday makers exceptionally good reads.

“Secondly, we are delighted that our relationship with W H Smith has proven to be such a success. Nothing makes us happier than reading, and to be continuing reading and selecting books for everyone to enjoy is just brilliant. Here's to many more Book Clubs to come!"

Judy added: “It's a great privilege that we'll be continuing to offer you the best of our recommendations. This summer is exceptional - as well as introducing a further two debut novelists we really have another great mix of titles, authors and genres. From historical dramas to thrillers, romance, suspense and drama, we've got everything you need for your summer reading."

For the first time the Book Club will be accompanied by a podcast containing interviews with the featured authors, available to download for free on iTunes and from the W H Smith website.

Of the Book Club, Rachel Russell, WHS Books business unit director, said: “We've been overwhelmed by the response from our customers, critics, publishers and media alike and we're absolutely delighted that we are building a long-term relationship with Richard and Judy."

The Summer Book Club titles will be available to buy on a three for two offer in WHS shops from tomorrow.
 

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