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.
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Go All In for National Year of Reading with Kent Libraries and Archives - video transcript
September’s theme - if you're into it, read into it!
Throughout September we’ll be highlighting easy ways to read your own way, to make more time for reading, and to help little ones keep up their reading momentum following this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.
Our book of the month for September is The Wonder by Tom Percival, a beautiful picture book about appreciating moments of tiny wonder! This is one of the brilliant recommended titles from the official Summer Reading Challenge booklist, available all year round and perfect for children who want to continue their reading journey.
Go All In - why not pick your own book of the month, inspired by your own passions and interests.
Need inspiration? Explore the National Year of Reading website.
Discover your local book community
Reading Groups
We are proud to support over 700 reading groups across the county.
Reading groups and book clubs are a great way to meet people and share your views about books. They generate exciting debates and may lead you to consider books that you would never have imagined reading.
Find a Reading Group near you.
Book Club Day
Book Club Day UK (11 September) celebrates the joy, connection and impact of shared reading, while supporting more people to start or join book clubs in their communities.
The day is a chance to bring people together to enjoy the power of reading and book talk, discover resources and for clubs to welcome new readers into their circle.
Thinking of starting a Reading Group? Want to learn how your Book Club can make the most of the support and services available through library membership? Read our top tips for Reading Groups.
Beyond Words Book Clubs
Beyond Words Book Clubs meet regularly in libraries across Kent to read word-free picture stories from the Books Beyond Words series. The Book Clubs give people with learning disabilities somewhere to make friends, have fun, and tell their own stories.
Learn more on the Beyond Words website.
Talking Books Book Club
Love audiobooks? The Talking Books Book Club is a dedicated online audiobook club for adults! In a world first, readers are able to access and listen to the same book at the same time worldwide with the ULibrary app.
Every month a brilliant new audiobook will be added to the app’s Book Clubs tab for you to listen to and discuss.
Learn more on the Talking Books website.
Read your own way
Audiobooks
Listen anytime, anywhere! Discover the joy of audiobooks.
Thousands of bestsellers, classics, children’s, young adult and non-fiction titles are available to listen to for free with our eLibrary apps. Spice up your cooking and chores, take time to relax on your commute, listen together or as you drop off to sleep.
Bag Books
Bag Books can help to enrich the lives and support the learning and development of both children and adults with severe learning and physical disabilities.
They are multi-sensory stories with each book consisting of individual pages of card, with items and materials attached which help the listener get inside the story. All kinds of noisy, smelly, feely objects and materials take the listener on a sensory journey!
Ask a Kent Librarian for more information about borrowing our Bag Books.
Dyslexia Friendly
Discover award winning accessible books. There’s a wide range of adult, young adult and children’s titles available with larger print, dyslexia friendly font, dark text colour and lighter non-white pages - all designed to be super-readable.
Ask a Kent Librarian to help you find dyslexia friendly titles you’ll love.
Quick Reads
Quick Reads are short books and great stories by bestselling authors, written in an accessible and easy to read style.
They are a perfect choice to help new readers access the power of reading, and lapsed readers fall back in love with the habit.
Ask a Kent Librarian to help you find, reserve and borrow your new favourite Quick Read.
Storysacks
Storysacks are all about bringing stories to life for children! A storytelling experience, each sack contains a beloved children's picture book with a selection of toys, puppets and extra materials little ones will love. Storysacks are free and can be borrowed just like a book from the library.
Browse, reserve and borrow Storysacks.
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.