We love reading.
There, we said it. We're totally, enthusiastically, passionately, tremendously in love with reading. As a library and learning centre, that probably doesn't come as much of a shock. It's really what we do, along with enjoying biscuits and puntastic jokes.
We also know that not everyone feels the same about reading. Some might never have enjoyed it, or have found it difficult or uninteresting. Others might feel they have no time, or simply feel guilty for seemingly "wasting time" reading for pleasure. For some, it's intimidating, especially if you struggle with reading or find a huge book daunting.
And that's totally why the Quick Reads initiative from The Reading Agency is Quite Remarkable.
Each year, they enlist the most popular, brilliant authors and storytellers to write a shorter read for those of us who lack time or confidence to tackle some huge doorstep of a novel. They cover all kinds of genres, from romance to action thrillers and murder mysteries, and they have an ever-growing selection of titles. This year's selection includes "On The Rock" by Andy McNab, "The Double Clue- Poirot Short Stories" by Agatha Christie (and edited by Sophie Hannah and John Curran), and an abridged edition of "I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up For Education and Was Shot By The Taliban."
And they are amazing. With everyone from your youngest learners to our most sage members of staff borrowing a Quick Read, it quickly becomes apparent that it's such a good idea. They're nicely compact for handbags, pockets or desk drawers. They're a finely crafted story - reminiscent of a novella or longer short story - and it takes a great deal of skill, judgement and excellence of language to engage a reader so thoroughly and quickly. It brings to mind Jane Austen's famously modest quote about "...the little bit (two inches wide) of ivory on which I work with so fine a brush..."
What's really heartening is to see how beautifully the Quick Reads selection fits with another Reading Agency initiative, Reading Ahead. Another literacy boosting idea, this year we've been running it across college, with whole tutor groups joining in, discussing what they're reading and providing encouragement and moral support.The Quick Reads selection fits seamlessly in with our fiction collection, with regular covers incorporating subtle branding. They are gratefully discovered by daunted prospective readers. Suddenly, the idea of reading six things, even six books, seems far more achievable - even enjoyable.
And that's the real value of Quick Reads. Because they provide an entry point - like an unobtrusive, cleverly disguised entry point to Narnia. They're the first step in a journey of a thousand miles. They're the planting of a seed. They're hope. Because from these small beginnings, you can achieve and go further than you ever dreamed. Because that's why reading, and libraries, are so important. They open up new pathways; shape ideas and dreams; provide knowledge and learning from which we progress and grow, develop and transform our lives. Reading is integral to our most fundamental values as a nation, and it's why we will continue to champion National Libraries Day, literacy and reading - and why we felt there was no better way to show our support than to share our love of Quick Reads.
We have almost a hundred titles available to borrow from the Learning Centre at Yeovil College, and a National Libraries Day display by Learning Centre Assistant, Robyn Murgatroyd.
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