The Reading Agency recently held a Creative Development Day hosted in partnership with ASCEL and Arts Council England. The event brought together young volunteers, librarians and members of arts organisations for a day of discussion and brainstorming, all with the aim of encouraging creative collaboration between the two sectors. Phil Redmond, television producer and screenwriter, addressed the audience and spoke about some of his experience with libraries and young volunteers. You can hear his speech on The Reading Agency’s website.
Compelling reads
During the event participants of all ages were asked to suggest a ‘compelling read’. Here are the results with the title and a summary of the plot or the reason someone found it compelling.
* Wonder
U.S. boy goes from home education to school
* Before I go to Sleep
It was recommended to me by a librarian and reading it with my reading group really brought the book alive
* My first Makaton
This book helps children with special needs lean dancing
* The last concubine
Fiction set within the factually accurate civil wars of Japan and the formation of Tokyo. Very interesting.
* The hunger games
Catches your imagination
* Jack and Jill
Quick read
* Lorna Doone
Local interest about Exmoor
* The Woman in White
A Victorian thriller about the rights of women
* Shadow Sister
Dutch translation novel
* 15 days without a head
* Road to Wigan Pier
Social history and realism
* Half of a Yellow Sun
* The Help
Vivid, feminist. Unputdownable and wanted to know what happened to the characters next.
* The Hare with the Amber Eyes
Compelling non-fiction about an inheritance. Good for people who don’t read non-fiction.
* The Room
Completely unique
* Spot of Bother
It’s about cancer but its funny – seems impossible but its not!
* The Family Moskat
Epic family history
* Big Nate
The boy with the biggest head in the world. A bully who tries to bring down other people by pointing out their insecurities
* Teach yourself Icelandic
Great if you want to learn Icelandic!
* When God was a Rabbit
Great easy read from a child’s perspective
* Prep
The blurb doesn’t do this book justice – it is much more emotionally tuned to the experiences of adolescence than books for young people and is very readable
* Knowledge of Angels
* The Lincoln Lawyer
* The Host
Compelling because the main character is conscious of having her own soul and someone else’s
* The Host
Different and exciting – it leaves you wondering
* The Eyre Affair
Funny, clever, confusing, great
* Sometimes a Great Notion
* The Invention of Murder
* Dirt Music
* A monster Calls
This year’s must-read. You will be surprised!
* America over the Water
* Rastamouse
* The Weight of Water
Making poetry accessible – a beautiful emotional story
* The Malkin child
The story of the Lancashire witches from the voice of a 9 year old
* Walking home
* Good Strategy Bad Strategy
* Northern Lights
Clear language and strong story
* David Copperfield
Compelling because of its main character – a young man trying to find his way in the world
* What was Lost
Might seem dark but does present an uplifting view of life
* The map of love
Compelling story of two generations in Egypt
* Wonder
Truly wonderful
* A spot of bother
Family story. Dysfunctional. About the workings of someone’s mind.
* Jasmine skies
Friendship, cultural heritage, family ties. Set in India and UK, binging back divisions.
* The summer book
Get involved
You can tell us what your compelling reads are in the comment box below. You can also share this page with any friends looking for their next read via facebook and twitter.
