Maybe it's the right time to try again? (Readers Digest)

Member Name: QueenElf

Product:	Readers Digest
Date:	20/01/06 (1962 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Pocket size, interesting articles, even the adverts are good.

Disadvantages: Problems with previous subcriptions.

I do hope I’ve caught your attention because it’s a long time since “Reader’s Digest” has been reviewed on the site and I’ve found a great difference in their earlier service. I first joined Reader’s Digest about ten years ago when I decided to try to win one of their prize draws, obviously I didn’t, I wouldn’t be here now if I’d scooped the grand prize. “Unlucky” is my middle name, the only prize I’ve ever won is a cheap bottle of wine in my local pub’s Xmas draw. At the time I entered my numbers I signed up to the Digest’s book service with a free book that has over the years proved to be invaluable, I’m talking about the Family Health Guide which was then retailing at about £15.

Unfortunately I had signed an agreement to accept four books over a one-year period. At that time I was still working and it didn’t seem much to pay. My first book was an omnibus and I considered it as good value for money, but suddenly books I hadn’t ordered started to arrive and I got fed up of having to send them all back.
Eventually I tried to cancel my membership, but it took a lot of effort (and much cursing on my part), to get them to accept my cancellation, even though I had fulfilled my part of the deal. I know that other people have had similar experiences in the past and it’s put them off for life.

I felt much the same when I received an invitation by e-mail to subscribe to the monthly magazine back in September 2005. My first thoughts were to ignore it completely but I decided to look at the offer anyway. Once again I thought about that grand prize and the half-price subscription to the magazine seemed reasonable to me. The normal price is £42 but I only paid £21 for the year with a written guarantee along with my first free magazine that I could cancel my membership at any time. I felt much more confident about paying my money and I was allowed a month after receiving my first magazine to pay in full.

What is Reader’s Digest?
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Many people may have picked up a copy in a doctor’s or dentist’s waiting room and leafed idly through it without knowing much about it. It’s a handy-sized magazine about A4 size, which can be carried around in a ladies’ handbag or slipped into a man’s pocket. Originally a USA publication, it is available in thirty different countries, but the edition I’m reviewing is the British one. For more information on the international publications visit their website at RD publications.

Since the very first publication in 1922 Reader’s Digest has gone on to become one of the most widely read magazines in the USA and eventually the UK. The secret of its success is mainly due to its unchanged format, non-political, not controversial and condensing stories into bite-sized readable articles it appeals mainly to an older age group; about 30+ would be my own guess going by the content of the magazine. The British magazine claims to be Britain’s best selling monthly although I can’t find actual figures on this, I’m more interested in the magazine itself.

The policy of staying true to a tried and tested format seems to work well, although some readers may find this a bit too bland for their tastes. If I want to read about politics I’ll read the newspapers and watch relevant programmes on TV. I prefer a magazine that will both entertain me and offer a wide range of articles on different subjects.

So what’s on offer this month?
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The cover stories are as follows:” The new way to lose weight,” an in-depth interview with George Clooney, “Casualty Drama you won’t believe,” “Hero of the Year” and an exclusive poll on “Is the British Family Dead?” Not exactly mind-grabbing but far better than a magazine stuffed full of women’s adverts and the latest in celebrity scandals.
The first page I always turn to is “word power”, fifteen unusual words with a choice of definitions. I love words so testing myself on my understanding is a bit of an ego-boost. I normally manage to get about 90% correct and this is rated as good. Depending on the highlights I choose to read what first grabs my attention. In this case it’s one of the lead stories, an operation carried out for the 1st time on a live patient, a teenager in a near-fatal accident whose head had been nearly been severed from his body.
I do my “light reading” in the morning after a cup of coffee and before breakfast so after reading one article I skip about reading the humorous “fillers” between the main articles. I love a good laugh and I’m always on the lookout for the type of humour that readers send in. The Digest pays between £60 and £100 for these articles and as a would-be writer it’s one of the things that I study carefully wondering whether I can come up with a humorous anecdote.

If I already have a book on the go the Digest is something I can read without getting too absorbed in my book. I’m disabled and unable to work so it can be very tempting to stay in my nightclothes and read all day. I still have housework to do and the occasional trip to the shops so diving headfirst into my current book is delaying the inevitable. This is where the Digest comes in, I can read a few articles without getting completely absorbed but this month there are quite a few things that capture me. I’m really interested in the way to lose weight and comparing it to the new television programme hosted by Paul McKenna, there are many similarities and I’m wondering if this was timed to coincide with the show?
There are fifteen articles in all and the bonus read about an American serial murderer, this can keep me going for the best part of the month along with reading and writing reviews.

I quickly scan the medical pages, which bring the latest discoveries to ordinary people. This month it’s particularly relevant to me with an article on heartburn (I take medication every day for this) and another on heart attacks that I want to skip but since it’s a family problem I read on. I’m dying to read the piece about George Clooney but put it aside for another day, there are dishes to wash and washing and ironing. There’s a special report on a very courageous lady who is fighting for the rights of oppressed women in the Islamic community both in the UK and in Iran. This is a topic close to my heart so I need to give myself time to read it properly. This is only part of January’s issue but the beauty of it is that I can put it down and pick it up when I have the time.

What’s in it for the average reader?
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The Digest never skimps on quality and tries to present a wide range of articles to suit many tastes, men and women both and people of different age groups. There are always a few interviews with celebrities but nothing scandalous or aimed at people who are only interested in the latest gossip. There is usually a hard-hitting article on social issues, a real life story about people surviving against all odds, (current news stories,) the unsung heroes who risk life and limb in the most appalling conditions and various other stories of interest.

Past issues have included heroes such as Frank Gardener, the BBC correspondent who refused to die even after being shot six times. A soldier who was moved by the plight of a young girl caught up in the war in Afghanistan with such horrific burn injuries she couldn’t even eat. Advice on money problems and easy ways to cut fuel bills. Another worrying article about the safety of prescribed medication, tips on dieting and healthy meals and, of course, those light-hearted page fillers that make you laugh.

Summary.
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At about 160 pages this is excellent value for money and has that advantage of being small enough to carry around. Big savings can be made on the Internet at the moment (the current offer is £13.95 instead of the £42 annual subscription) I wish I had waited until now!
So far I haven’t been pestered into buying any of the other services that Reader’s Digest provide, I get my magazine through the post every month and nothing else.
This is a big improvement on the service, which put so many people off subscribing to it, and if it continues in this way I’ll be renewing my subscription when this one runs out. It’ll be interesting to see if loyal customers will get a similar deal on renewal, somehow I doubt this will happen but it does look like the Digest are finally cleaning up their act.
This will come as good news to the many people who have been missing out on a magazine that stimulates the mind and keeps on producing new and interesting stories.

So I’m cautiously giving this the full five stars and hoping that I won’t be let down in the future. I like a magazine that doesn’t pander to current trends. I don’t think there is anything wrong with the usual “glossies” but at my age they no longer appeal to me. I want a tried and trusted magazine that packs a bit of a punch. Reader’s Digest gives me what I expect from past experiences and fills that gap between a full novel when I need to plan my time.
For people on the go it provides a handy read for when you haven’t got time for anything else, its also ideal for long train and plane journeys.
As a subscriber there are additional free features on the Internet site that I haven’t used yet. I’m also pleased to read about a new service, “Your own Talking Magazine” for the blind and visually impaired. Annual subscriptions start at £30 and entitle you tapes from other publications. Has the Digest finally got it right, I would like to think so?

Happy Reading and as always thanks for reading my review.
© Lisa Fuller. Jan 2006.

Summary: A Magazine for most tastes.