Take Part In Tonight’s #ReadingHour!


Shutterstock / Vadym Pastukh © Lady reading book indoors Pic: Shutterstock

Being swept away in the pages of a brilliant book is something so many of us enjoy on a daily basis but there are many others who have yet to discover the joy of losing themselves in a good book…

Making books accessible is key to attracting new readers so The Reading Agency has once again commissioned eight brilliant new Quick Reads designed to reignite people’s love of reading or spark a new passion for books.

The books are available to buy for a bargain price of just £1 and will be distributed across bookshops, libraries and Sainsbury’s stores – they will later also be sold in Poundland (from May 30).

This year’s books are My Name is Why (abridged) by Lemn Sissay, Sofia Khan and the Baby Blues by Ayisha Malik, The Cutting Season by M.W. Craven, The Swimmer by Graham Norton, The Black Mountain by Kate Mosse, Blind Spot by Paula Hawkins, Witness by Alex Wheatle and The Kiss by Santa Montefiore.

World Book Night April 23

For the first time ever, this year’s Quick Reads campaign is being run in conjunction with World Book Night. 84,000 books in total are being gifted to a range of organisations across the UK and Ireland including care homes, foodbanks, homeless hostels, hospitals and refugee charities as part of the World Book Night celebrations.

Why not join in celebrations from your sofa?

At 7pm tonight the #ReadingHour will take place, encouraging people across the country to curl up with a good book.

Four of the books are available as free audiobook downloads from the World Book Night website so they can be enjoyed by everyone.

To find out more or to get involved, visit worldbooknight.org.

Quick Reads 2022 Titles

Quick Reads Titles for 2022

Quick Reads Titles for 2022, released April 14 2022. 84,000 books are being gifted to a range of organisations as part of the World Book Night celebrations on April 23.

Whether you’re looking for romance, crime, historical or real-life inspiration, there’s something for you on this year’s fabulous list – maybe you’ll want to read them all!

My Name Is Why (abridged) by Lemn Sissay

A powerful autobiography detailing Sissay’s experience in the British care system and his rise to acclaimed poet, My Name Is Why is an inspiring tale of triumph in the face of adversity.


Sofia Khan and the Baby Blues by Ayisha Malik (Headline)

Ayisha Malik’s series has been described as the Muslim Bridget Jones, and Sofia’s efforts to find love whilst trying to adopt a child provide a new perspective on the classic romantic comedy.


The Cutting Season by M.W. Craven (Little, Brown)

This thrilling crime novel pits an eccentric detective against a feared contract killer, as M.W. Craven draws on his own experiences as a probation officer to create the breath-taking and blackly comic Washington Poe series.


The Swimmer by Graham Norton (Hodder & Stoughton)

From the author of The Sunday Times’ bestseller Home Stretch, The Swimmer is an insightful and compassionate tale of a retired teacher struggling to unravel a bizarre mystery on the Irish coast.


The Black Mountain by Kate Mosse (Pan Macmillan)

A story of one woman’s attempts to warn a small community about imminent danger, Kate Mosse’s latest historical novel brings Tenerife’s tragic past to life.


Blind Spot by Paula Hawkins (Transworld)

From the author of bestselling thriller The Girl On The Train, Blind Spot is a nuanced story of grief and deception filled with complex female characters.


Witness by Alex Wheatle (Profile)

Alex Wheatle examines the impacts of gang violence in this tense exploration of crime and loyalty.


The Kiss by Santa Montefiore (Simon and Schuster)

This compelling tale of dysfunctional families, based on a true story, features Santa Montefiore’s trademark blend of romance and mystery.


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