Adults who read for just 30 minutes a week are 20% more likely to report greater life satisfaction. However, only half (50%) of adults now read regularly, down from 58% in 2015, and 1 in 10 find reading difficult.
The charity’s Quick Reads campaign culminates on World Book Night (23 April) when thousands of Quick Read titles are distributed to community settings. Pop this into your diary and we’ll let you know how it goes.
A tool for social change, Quick Reads are short, accessible, diverse, affordable – and ultimately, great reads. The Quick Reads initiative is now in its 19th year.
One of its authors is the romance writer Cathy Bramley – above
Cathy Bramley is a British author of sixteen romance novels, and has sold almost two million copies worldwide. Her books have hit the UK best sellers’ list and have been nominated for several awards including the British Book of the Year 2023. She ran a PR and Marketing agency before starting writing in 2013. An avid reader who grew up with libraries. Her Quick Reads title, Between Friends, is a feel-good read about relationships and community.
Cathy said:
“I am delighted that my novella has been selected for the Quick Reads campaign for 2025. When I was sixteen, and an avid reader myself, I volunteered for the Right To Read Scheme. I worked solely with a young widow, a mother of two, whose first language wasn’t English and who struggled to read. Despite all the difficulties she was going through, her goal was simply to read a bedtime story to her children. I have never forgotten the brightness of her smile the day she reported back that she had been able to do just that. The Quick Reads books have such an important role in our diverse society, and I’m honoured to play a small part in the next generation of them.”
Other authors involved are: Fiona Cummins who is an award-winning former journalist. Rattle, her debut novel, was the subject of a huge international auction and has been translated into several languages. She has since written several bestsellers.
Dr Alex George is a TV doctor, author, and Youth Mental Health Ambassador to the government. Alex has become a leading voice in mental and physical health and wellbeing and uses his platform to make health and medicine more accessible to millennials and beyond.
Abir Mukherjee is the Times bestselling author of the Wyndham & Banerjee series of crime novels set in Raj-era India which have sold over 400,000 copies worldwide and been translated into 15 languages. His books have won numerous awards including the CWA Dagger for best Historical Novel.
Cathy Rentzenbrink is a passionate ambassador for Quick Reads as a project director for Quick Reads before pursuing her career in writing. She is the author of the Sunday Times bestseller The Last Act of Love, A Manual for Heartache, Dear Reader: The Comfort and Joy of Books and Everyone Is Still Alive. Cathy has taught for Arvon, Curtis Brown Creative, at Falmouth University and at festivals and in prisons.
Leila Aboulela is an award-winning novelist whose novels have been translated into 15 languages. She was the first winner of the Caine Prize for African Writing. Leila grew up in Sudan and now lives in Scotland.
It all sounds fascinating, and such a worthwhile Agency doesn’t it. Find out more: https://readingagency.org.uk/