The series began with single annual volumes in 1982 and 1983, then expanded to bi-monthly editions for years 1984–1995, and is published approximately every six weeks.
Examples include Barchester Towers, The Jungle Books, Captains Courageous, Beau Geste, and Wuthering Heights.
In the United States, the James Hilton titles (Lost Horizon, Good-bye Mr. Chips and Other Stories) were printed in two separate volumes whereas in the UK edition, they were combined into one book.
On Our Selection/Our New Selection is different from the rest of the books because not only is the author biography insert included, but also a folder containing six 5.5" x 8.5" prints of artwork by artist Lionel Lindsay.
The prints included are titled Judy Wasn't Frightened Of Jew-Lizards, Sarah Thought It A Fine Effect, 'It's A Lie!'
It is not given a title and depicts the father scratching his bare head riding a horse in the woods at a walk towards the lower right hand foreground.
Reader's Digest also issued a book safe as part of the WBR series, Paradise Lost by John Milton.
The interior of the safe is lined with light gray velvet and is kept closed with velcro strips on the back of the cover and on the middle divider between the two compartments.