Latest R&J Book Club line-up features Hanks, Navin, Vaughan

Tom Hanks features as one of five debut authors in the latest WH Smith Richard and Judy Book Club line-up, launched today (4th October), as part of an enhanced campaign that sees an extra selection each year.

As well as Hanks’s collection of short stories, Uncommon Type (William Heinemann), which was dubbed “a fine collection of stories from one of America’s finest actors” by Richard Madeley, the picks include a spread of corporate publishers with a strong thriller theme.

Sarah Vaughan’s tale of politics and sex, Anatomy of a Scandal (Simon & Schuster), appears as the only non-debut on the list while Only Child (Pan Macmillan) by Rhiannon Navin follows a child recovering from a school tragedy. Amy Lloyd’s The Innocent Wife (Cornerstone) explores what happens when a woman’s wish is granted when her boyfriend is released from death row, only for his innocence to be questioned once again.

Historical novel The Tattooist of Auschwitz (Zaffre) by Heather Morris also features on the list, and is based on a true story Slovakian Jews “who fall in love in the most dismal setting”, according to book club organisers while The Cactus (Two Roads) by Sarah Haywood, depicting ‘prickly’ heroine, Susan Green, completes the list.

Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan’s Book Club club will now feature five campaigns annually, with six titles available in each selection, as well as additional recommendations and reviews. Previously the selections were announced three times a year.

“Whether you’re a well-read book worm or in need of a good holiday read, the Book Club welcomes everyone to join in, broaden their horizons and try something new. We’re delighted to have increased the number of campaigns - more books, more reading and more opportunity to welcome new authors to the Book Club,” Finnigan said.

The line-up started life on Channel 4 in 2004, produced by Cactus TV, before moving to online channel Watch. The tie-in with WH Smith began in 2010 and in July the pair revealed the 200th novel they have recommended with the chain retailer. Currently the club is contracted with the high street retailer until 2019.