Resources
The Book Club Hub is here to support leaders and members of book clubs by sharing digital resources for the latest releases. Filter the resources for adults, children’s or young people’s books.
Let the Light In by Jenny Downham and Louis Hill - author videos and discussion guide
‘An extraordinary book, tenderly told. There is so much loss, beauty, hope and care in its pages. I read it all at once, but it will stay with me for a very long time to come’ – Katya Balen Leah and Charlie are handling their family’s loss in very different ways. Their choices push them down difficult and perilous paths which eventually collide, sending shockwaves through their community. This astounding, compulsive novel explores love, power, money, art, and asks: what matters most in the...
The Reading Agency's March Booklist - Picture Perfect
Our Picture Perfect Booklist is a collection of books that prove a picture really can be worth a thousand words! This specially curated list showcases highly illustrated books, graphic novels, and powerful visual storytelling that enhances the story being told. Whether you’re a comic book enthusiast or simply love books that bring stories to life with stunning imagery, this list is perfect for you. Dive in, turn the pages, and let the pictures speak for themselves. Our librarian readers have...
Book Club Hub - Book Club User Guide
The Book Club Hub is a platform connecting readers and book clubs of all ages across the UK. It is managed by national reading charity, The Reading Agency. The Book Club Hub offers book club leaders access to free offers from publishers and prizes in return for reviews, gives them the chance to read the latest books and author news to help them pick their next read, and allows them to download resources to use with their club. Readers can also share reviews of the books they have read and...
Book Club Hub - Librarian and Teacher User Guide
The Book Club Hub is a platform connecting readers and book clubs of all ages across the UK. It is managed by national reading charity, The Reading Agency. The Book Club Hub offers book teachers and librarians the support of providing free copies to their clubs in return with reviews and the latest news and resources to support your meetings. *For every book club, every genre, every reader. * How to make the most of the Book Club Hub Download the guide at the bottom of the page to help you...
How to start a book club
The Book Club Hub is a platform connecting readers and book clubs of all ages across the UK. It is managed by national reading charity, The Reading Agency. The Book Club Hub offers book club leaders access to free offers from publishers and prizes in return for reviews, gives them the chance to read the latest books and author news to help them pick their next read, and allows them to download resources to use with their club. Readers can also share reviews of the books they have read and...
The Reading Agency's December Booklist - Books of the Year
At The Reading Agency, we have read a lot of brilliant books over the past year; books that have made us laugh, cry and left us with a lot to discuss. Our team have picked the books that have stood out for them in 2024. We hope you find some inspiration for your next read, or perhaps spot a few titles you have enjoyed yourself! Our team have shared three words to describe each book to help you decide if the book is for you. We would also love to hear what books you’d recommend for the list on...
November Booklist 2024 - Spine-tinglers & Nail-biters
As we enter the cold and dark months, we have created a booklist filled with our favourite spine-tinglers and nail-biters to captivate readers who enjoy suspense, mystery, and supernatural adventures (at different levels of scariness). From eerie children’s tales to chilling adult thrillers or horrors, these books are perfect for readers who love to be kept on the edge of their seats or want to escape with paranormal characters. Featuring everything from haunted castles and creepy night...
Reader Reviews: September 2024
Do you know we offer reading groups free sets of books every month? All we ask for in return are reviews. If you’d like to find out more you can sign up to our newsletters. We will be sharing reviews from our readers who have received copies of the latest books from our publisher partners. You can see all of the open offers here. If you are part of an adult reading group, or manage a children’s or young people one, make sure you sign up to our Reading Groups for Everyone where you can find...
September booklist 2024 – Debuts
The debut authors and/or illustrators’ booklist features an exciting array of new voices in publishing, spanning genres from humorous children’s stories to gripping adult thrillers. These fresh perspectives bring unique and compelling narratives to readers, making them a vital addition to the literary landscape. Supporting debut authors is crucial as it encourages diverse storytelling and helps cultivate the next generation of literary talent and we hope you will enjoy reading our picks. Our...
August booklist 2024 – Escape with a Book
Summer is a time for adventures and immersive experiences, so we have created a booklist perfect for readers looking to escape into captivating stories. These sixteen books offer a variety of escapes, from adventurous expeditions and magical journeys to heartwarming romances and engaging puzzles, ensuring every reader finds their perfect summer getaway even if you cannot leave your house. Our librarian readers have shared three words to describe each book to help you decide if the book is for...
My Teeth in Your Heart by Joanna Nadin - Discussion Notes
2024, Cambridge, England Billy’s got problems. A Levels, a mum who checked out of parenting a while ago, and then… there’s what Billy’s done to Cass, her person. Some secrets are too toxic to keep, but there’s no way Billy can let this one loose. 1974, Famagusta, Cyprus Anna’s a good ex-pat girl, focused on her A Levels, dreaming of studying at Cambridge, and definitely not looking for the love of her life. But then love does come, closely followed by war, and Anna’s carefully crafted world...
The Reading Agency’s April booklist - Nature and Conservation
Earth Day 2024 will take place on 22 April. To support any activity you may want to run, we have collated a booklist with a mix of poetry, fiction and non-fiction books with strong themes of nature and conservation. We would love to hear what books you’d recommend on social media using #booklist and tagging @readingagency. You can see our past booklists here. Our monthly booklists The monthly themed booklists are co-ordinated in-house by the Reading Partners team. The aim of our booklist...
GollanczFest - digital assets
Gollancz is the UK’s #1 Sci-fi, Fantasy & Horror publisher, bringing you epic books by the likes of Brandon Sanderson, Victoria Aveyard, Patrick Rothfuss, Joe Abercrombie, Natasha Pulley, and many more. Its fan-favourite festival GollanczFest returns on 16 March, and to celebrate, we’re taking over libraries nationwide! Download a digital pack to help you put a fantastical spin on your library. Dig out your favourite sci-fi classics and celebrate the romantasy stars of tomorrow with an...
The Reading Agency’s February booklist - LGBT+ History Month
LGBT+ History Month takes place every February. Our booklist this month is for librarians and teachers to help them celebrate stories with strong LGBTQ+ representation or that are by LGBTQ+ creators. LGBT+ History Month is an opportunity to discover LGBT+ past and celebrate its present and future. Every year, Schools OUT sets a different theme for the month and provides free resources for education settings, businesses, services and organisations to help them celebrate and ‘Usualise’ LGBT+...
Reader Reviews January 2024
Did you know that we offer free reading group sets of books for groups every month? All we ask for in return are reviews. If you’d like to find out more you can sign up to our newsletters. Every month we will be sharing reviews from our readers who have received copies of the latest books from our publisher partners. If you are part of an adult reading group, make sure you sign up to our Reading Groups for Everyone where you can find lots more reviews from readers and apply for sets of books...
The Reading Agency’s January booklist - New Year, New Adventures
To kick off 2024 we have picked books that will either help you learn something new or will take you away on new adventures. Whether you’re looking to delve into some self-improvement, explore the wonders of nature, conduct mind-boggling science experiments, or embark on thrilling fictional journeys, our picks should help to start your year of exciting adventures. Tell us on social media by tagging readingagency and using #booklist. You can also find the booklists on our Bookshop.org page...
Tottenham's Big Read 2023 - Amazing Bodies Activity Pack - Greyscale
This version of the activity pack is in greyscale for printing. This activity pack is available to support children’s reading of the book, Amazing Bodies by Dr Ronx. Find fun reading and writing activities to test children’s understanding, as well as exciting science experiments to show the content of the book in real life. The Reading Agency are supporting the Bernie Grants Arts Centre in giving away free copies of Amazing Bodies, by award-winning trans non-binary emergency doctor, CBBC’s...
The Reading Agency’s November booklist – Debuts
November marks National Novel Writing Month or NaNoWriMo (as it’s more commonly known). We want to celebrate some of our favourite debut authors/illustrators of 2023. From beautifully illustrated picture books, thrilling middle grade, YA titles to escape with and a mixture of non-fiction and fiction adult titles. Dive in today and don’t forget to tell us what you thought of any of the books on the list. You can buy the books from Bookshop.org. Looking to share the magic of reading with young...
You Could Be So Pretty by Holly Bourne Reading Group Questions
Reading group questions for You Could Be So Pretty by Holly Bourne. Change the rules. Reclaim your power. If you can… What would you choose? “Razor-sharp and compelling, it is essential reading for every teenage girl.” The Observer “This book is brilliant, brutal and beautiful. A spectacular must-read that manages to put into words all the things that can be so hard to say about the world today.” Beth Reekles “The Doctrine exists to make us believe we are less than, so we don’t have...
The Reading Agency’s October booklist – Poetry
National Poetry Day (5 October) is a day to share, read and even write poetry. To celebrate, we’ve put together some of our favourite poetry picks. You can buy the books from Bookshop.org. Looking to share the magic of reading with young readers? Join us on 29 November at 10am where award-winning poet Joshua Seigal will be sharing the magic of poetry in a free digital workshop. Perfect for KS2 students. Book your place here We would love to hear what books you’d recommend for the theme on...
When You Lose it by Roxy and Gay Longworth Extract and Discussion Guide
A reading guide plus extract for When You Lose it by Gay Longworth. About the book Roxy was 13 years old when she was coerced then blackmailed into sending explicit photos, which were spread around her school. The shame led to self-loathing. The blame led to a psychotic breakdown. Roxy started hearing voices. Then she started seeing things… What happens when your teenager starts to lose it, and then you lose each other? What happens when you can’t tell your mother you desperately need help?...
The Reading Agency’s September booklist – STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)
National Coding Week is an annual event that aims to help adults, young people and children with learning digital skills. National Coding Week will be happening from the 18-24 September so we are celebrating our favourite books that have strong themes to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). You can buy the books from Bookshop.org. We would love to hear what books you’d recommend for the theme on social media using #booklist and tagging @readingagency. You can see our past...
Blade Breaker by Victoria Aveyard - digital assets
A DIVIDED REALM MUST RALLY, AN UNSTOPPABLE ENEMY MUST BE DEFEATED, AND THE FATE OF THE WORLD RESTS ON A BLADE’S EDGE. Andry, a former squire, fights for hope amid blood and chaos. Dom, a grieving immortal, strives to fulfill a broken oath. Sorasa, an outcast assassin, faces her past when it returns with sharpened teeth. Valtik, an old sorceress, summons a mighty power. And Corayne, a pirate’s daughter with an ancient magic in her blood, steps closer to becoming the hero she’s destined to...
It's OK To Be Angry About Capitalism by Bernie Sanders - digital assets and event livestream
It’s OK to be angry about capitalism. It’s OK to want something better. Bernie Sanders takes on the 1% and speaks blunt truths about a system that is fuelled by uncontrolled greed, and rigged against ordinary people. Where a handful of oligarchs have never had it so good, with more money than they could spend in a thousand lifetimes, and the vast majority struggle to survive. Where a decent standard of living for all seems like an impossible dream. It’s OK To Be Angry About Capitalism...
Gecko Press - publisher spotlight
Gecko Press is an independent, small-by-choice, publisher of children’s books translated from books by some of the best writers and illustrators in the world since 2004. We choose books excellent in story, illustration and design, with a strong heart factor, and that can be read hundreds of times. Based in New Zealand, we are by nature an international business, both in what we publish and where we sell our books. Gecko Press has been represented in the UK by Bounce Sales & Marketing for...
Cranthorpe Millner Publishers - spotlight
Cranthorpe Millner Publishers is an independent publisher based in Cambridge. Their first big title was Shaun Wallace’s autobiography, Chasing the Dream, which we published October 2018, and now they have a catalogue of just over 50 authors, though their aim is to stay small, releasing between 20-40 titles per year. To highlight an exciting, upcoming through months they have selected some of their upcoming titles to highlight and there is even some fantastic POS available for World Mental...
Sofia Khan and the Baby Blues: Discussion Guide
Reading guide and discussion questions to accompany the Quick Read title Sofia Khan and the Baby Blues by Sofia Malik. Print this resource to use with a book group or literacy class.
The Cutting Season: Discussion Guide
Reading guide and discussion questions to accompany the Quick Read title The Cutting Season by M.W. Craven. Print this resource to use with a book group or literacy class.
The Swimmer: Discussion Guide
Reading guide and discussion questions to accompany the Quick Read title The Swimmer by Graham Norton. Print this resource to use with a book group or literacy class.
Witness: Discussion Guide
Reading guide and discussion questions to accompany the Quick Read title Witness by Alex Wheatle. Print this resource to use with a book group or literacy class.
