National Year of Reading

The National Year of Reading is about enjoying reading in ways that work for you.

The theme is Go All In. If you are into it. Read into it.

It is about reading more of what you already love and discovering new interests along the way. That is why we are inviting you to come back and check our monthly themes, and discover more about the things you love to read about.

We are supporting the National Year of Reading by encouraging people to read more for pleasure, through a programme of free author events and themed activities taking place across the county.

What is happening in Kent

Throughout the year, libraries across Kent will be promoting reading for pleasure through:

• monthly reading themes
• library events and reading groups
• free author talks and special events
• book displays and reading lists.

What’s on offer will change each month, giving you new ways to get involved.

November’s theme is wellness

Discover how your local library can support wellness this winter. From Warm Spaces and community groups, to free resources and information to help you understand and manage health and wellbeing, the library is here for you.

Browse, reserve and borrow our recommended wellness reads.

The power of prevention

Did you know? Libraries deliver millions in value through support for mental health and wellbeing including:

• weekly arts and craft sessions for older people in libraries across the South East generate at least £491,000 each year in health and wellbeing benefits
• library volunteering in the South East generates at least £342,000 in wellbeing value annually, reducing isolation and boosting life satisfaction
• loneliness reduction activities in libraries across the South East generate at least £913,000 in health, productivity and wellbeing value each year.
  These figures are conservative estimates, calculated using Treasury-approved methods, and are based on real attendance and participation data from libraries across the South East, including our libraries in Kent.

Read the full report.

Discover clubs and activities at your local library

Meet local people, make new friends and learn new skills and hobbies.

Join one of our library groups.

Reading Well book collections

Reading Well book collections support you to understand and manage your health and wellbeing using helpful reading.
The books are all recommended by health experts, as well as people with lived experience of the conditions and topics covered and their relatives and carers. Books from Reading Well collections are free for everyone to reserve and borrow from Kent Libraries.

Learn more about Reading Well.

For mental health

Reading Well for mental health provides helpful information and support for managing common mental health conditions, or dealing with difficult feelings and experiences. Some books also include personal stories from people who are living with or caring for someone with mental health needs.

Browse and borrow books from the mental health collection.

For families

Reading Well for families recommends reading to support parents and carers to look after their wellbeing in pregnancy and the early years. Some of the recommended books provide information and advice; there are also personal stories, illustrated books and poetry.

Browse and borrow books from the families collection.

For children

Reading Well for children provides information, stories and advice to support children’s mental health and wellbeing. The books have been chosen and recommended by leading health professionals and co-produced with children and families.

The booklist is targeted at children aged 7 to 11, but includes titles aimed at a wide range of reading levels to support less confident readers, and to encourage children to read together with their siblings and carers.

Browse and borrow books from the children collection.

For young people

Reading Well for teens suggests recommended reading and digital resources to help understand feeling and boost confidence. Young people and health and wellbeing experts have chosen the books to help manage emotions and cope with difficult times.

The booklist is targeted at young people aged 13 to 18 and includes a range of reading levels and formats to support less confident readers and encourage engagement.

Browse and borrow books from the young people collection.

For dementia

Reading Well for dementia recommends helpful reading and digital resources for people living with dementia. There are also books for family, friends and carers. The booklist provides reliable information, advice and support as well as personal stories and age-appropriate books for children.

The booklist is targeted at people living with dementia, carers and family members including younger children to help them understand more about dementia.

Browse and borrow books from the dementia collection.

Mood boosters

Browse our collection of mood-boosting books - uplifting, feel-good reads chosen to boost mood and support wellbeing. Featuring a range of fiction and non-fiction titles, the collection celebrates the many ways reading can help us feel good, whether through laughter, comfort, escapism, inspiration or connection.

Browse and borrow books from the mood boosters collection.

Get involved

There is no right or wrong way to take part in the National Year of Reading.

Why not:

• visit your local library
• join a reading group
• try an eBook, audiobook or eMagazine
• attend a library event or author talk.

Every bit of reading counts.

Look out for National Year of Reading activities

Some library activities are part of the National Year of Reading. These include reading groups, Storytimes and more for all ages.

Look for free author talks and special events for the National Year of Reading.