Good to know
The Reading Agency’s Quick Reads scheme is making reading accessible for everyone
Escaping into a book can be comforting, thrilling, moving or inspiring. It can open up whole new worlds. Studies show that those who read for pleasure have higher levels of self-esteem and a greater ability to cope with difficult situations. Yet one in six adults in the UK struggle with reading, with one in three not reading regularly for enjoyment.
That’s where Quick Reads comes in. Created by The Reading Agency, UK publishers and authors collaborate to release short, accessible books for adults to encourage more people to dive into books, boost mental health and tackle social isolation. Since the programme launched in 2006, more than 5.3 million Quick Reads have been distributed, with over 6.14 million registered library loans. ‘The Quick Reads initiative is an excellent way to open the door to reading,’ says 2024 Quick Reads author and former children’s laureate Malorie Blackman. ‘Books and stories literally changed my life for the better. They have been friends, companions, provided an escape, been a refuge, given me a pool of knowledge and have taught me to aspire to what was beyond my immediate field of view.’
‘I grew up in Tower Hamlets, one of the UK’s worst boroughs for child poverty, and never owned a book as a child,’ says Quick Reads author Kia Abdullah, best known for her courtroom dramas. ‘What I did have were older siblings who took me to the library every Saturday. Reading brought me joy and escapism, and set me on the path to becoming a bestselling author. Quick Reads brings that same joy to emergent readers, which is why I am so incredibly proud to be part of its 2024 programme.’
