<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!-- - EDGAR Ease Plus 1.0                                   07/25/03  TT    -->
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>
   <periodOfReport>2003-11-21</periodOfReport>
    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000858558</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>READERS DIGEST ASSOCIATION INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RDA</issuerTradingSymbol>
   </issuer>
   <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001270821</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ISAACSON WALTER</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1></rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>READER'S DIGEST ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PLEASANTVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10570-7000</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
         <isDirector>1</isDirector>
         <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
         <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
         <isOther>0</isOther>
      </reportingOwnerRelationship>
   </reportingOwner>
 <nonDerivativeTable>
   <nonDerivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>No Securities Owned</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>0</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeHolding>
 </nonDerivativeTable>
   <ownerSignature>
      <signatureName>/s/WALTER ISAACSON</signatureName>
      <signatureDate>2003-11-21</signatureDate>
   </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

