This program, 25-28 minutes long, presents either one story per program or one story over the course of several programs. In both cases, each program opens with a very brief introduction of the story and author. In the case of a series of programs on one story, the opening also includes a review of the story thus far. Unlike Off the Shelf on the BBC World Service , Audio Book Club does not have a single reader. In addition, parts are read in such a way as to approach dialogue.
Announcers have no accents, and read well.
The words are well pronounced, the flow of reading is generally good, and there is some verbal dramatization as well. The announcers speak with animation, and thus convey an interpretation of the text simply by the inflections of their voices. Musical selections appear at various points in the program. Although they do help to set the atmosphere of the parts of the story in which they appear, they are often too loud, and divert attention from the words. In a program such as this, mood, tone, and atmosphere should instead be set by the reading itself.