Book Reviews in the Sunday Papers (UK)

[beachygirl]

As the dark mornings approach, I am thinking about having a weekend newspaper delivered instead of browsing online. Can anyone advise me which of the main papers has the best section for book reviews? I read mainly fiction so one with a good paperback review section would suit me best. I don't mind whether it is Sat or Sun and I like compact size, not full broadsheet, as my arms are not very long. I also like to read film reviews so if there is one that is good on both, better still. Thanks for saving me a long walk in the rain to my nearest newsagent!

Quite hard to answer as I suspect most of us only read one newspaper and can't comment on the others! I'd say the Guardian Review section on a Saturday is very good, and the Observer's New Review section less so (but New Review does at least have film reviews, whereas the Guardian does its film reviews on a Friday). I don't know about the others, but I imagine the Sunday Times has a good book section because the whole paper is so thick.

Sunday Times has 12 pages of books and 4 of film in its Culture section. I don't muxh like the ST's editorial stance (DH gets it though so I nick the Culture and Travel sections).

Saturday Guardian would be my choice for books alone I think.

I am generally more of a natural Guardianista. However, I find the Saturday Guardian's book pages a bit dry, occasionally veering into Pseuds Corner. I sometimes buy The Times on Saturday instead, as I find the book reviews more to my distinctly middle-brow taste.

Not actual reviews, but I've often been impressed by some of India Knight's recommendations in The Sunday Times magazine.

Thanks, I'll check those out next weekend.

I really like the Saturday Times, although I feel I should really be supporting the Guardian as our only surviving independent newspaper

The Saturday Times is good for books, films and TV. I like to have new interesting drama series and documentaries flagged up in advance and the TV reviewer's taste is excellent IMO.

Like you OP I like compact newspapers and another advantage of a Saturday paper is you have two days at the weekend to get it read

Thanks highlandcoo, will check it out.

I buy both the Guardian and Saturday Times.. pricey but so much pleasure!

I also like the Saturday Times but oddly don't particularly read book reviews, although I do pick up a couple of recommendations from there. I like it more for the food, travel and Weekend features and Caitlin Moran. Also, don't forget that if you shop at Waitrose and spend more than £10, you can get the paper free.

Guardian new review section is good and loads better than the old one but it is a bit highbrow. Also I can’t do Guardian for reasons of being a sane woman who can’t tolerate Orwellian newspeak. Times on a Saturday is good. Observer I find tedious. Amazingly the Mail has been quite good on books - I think in the Mail On Sunday.

The Daily Mail has book reviews on Fridays, also on their website.