UNITED STATES
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549

                                   FORM 8-K

                                CURRENT REPORT
                      Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                      the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


        Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 27, 2005


                     THE READER'S DIGEST ASSOCIATION, INC.
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


            Delaware                       1-10434             13-1726769
 (State or other jurisdiction of      (Commission File      (I.R.S. Employer
  incorporation or organization)           Number)       Identification Number)




                   Pleasantville, New York              10570-7000
        (Address of principal executive offices)        (Zip Code)


              Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
                                (914) 238-1000

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K is intended to simultaneously
satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following
provisions:

[ ] Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17
    CFR 230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17
    CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
    Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
    Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


                                                           Page 1 of 26 pages.







SECTION 2. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

      Furnished herewith are the following:

      Exhibit
      Number              Description

      99.1     The Reader's Digest Association, Inc.'s news release, issued on
               October 27, 2005, relating to earnings.

      99.2     Remarks delivered by Thomas O. Ryder, Chairman and Chief
               Executive Officer, to analysts and investors on October 27, 2005.

      99.3     Remarks delivered by Michael S. Geltzeiler, Senior Vice President
               and Chief Financial Officer, to analysts and investors on October
               27, 2005.

SECTION 7. REGULATION FD

ITEM 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

      Furnished herewith are the following:

      Exhibit
      Number              Description

      99.1     The Reader's Digest Association, Inc.'s news release, issued on
               October 27, 2005, relating to earnings.

      99.2     Remarks delivered by Thomas O. Ryder, Chairman and Chief
               Executive Officer, to analysts and investors on October 27, 2005.

      99.3     Remarks delivered by Michael S. Geltzeiler, Senior Vice President
               and Chief Financial Officer, to analysts and investors on October
               27, 2005.


SECTION 9. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

ITEM 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

    (c)   Exhibits

          Furnished herewith are the following:

      Exhibit
      Number              Description

      99.1     The Reader's Digest Association, Inc.'s news release, issued on
               October 27, 2005, relating to earnings.

      99.2     Remarks delivered by Thomas O. Ryder, Chairman and Chief
               Executive Officer, to analysts and investors on October 27, 2005.

      99.3     Remarks delivered by Michael S. Geltzeiler, Senior Vice President
               and Chief Financial Officer, to analysts and investors on October
               27, 2005.










                                  SIGNATURES

           Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                            THE READER'S DIGEST ASSOCIATION, INC.
                                               (Registrant)


Date:  October 27, 2005
                                    /s/   MICHAEL S. GELTZEILER
                                           Michael S. Geltzeiler
                                         Senior Vice President and
                                          Chief Financial Officer







                                 EXHIBIT INDEX



      Exhibit
      Number              Description

      99.1     The Reader's Digest Association, Inc.'s news release, issued on
               October 27, 2005, relating to earnings.

      99.2     Remarks delivered by Thomas O. Ryder, Chairman and Chief
               Executive Officer, to analysts and investors on October 27, 2005.

      99.3     Remarks delivered by Michael S. Geltzeiler, Senior Vice President
               and Chief Financial Officer, to analysts and investors on October
               27, 2005.