Resources
The Reading Agency's February Booklist - LGBT+ History Month
Discover The Reading Agency’s February booklist celebrating the voices and stories of the LGBT+ community. There is compelling non-fiction, captivating romance and heart-stopping sci-fi among this selection of classic and brand-new titles. Tell us what you think of the books on this list, or any others you have read, by tagging us on social media: @readingagency
Beasts of a Little Land Reading Guide
Sweeping through decades of Korean history, Juhea Kim’s debut novel charts the intersecting fates of Jade and JungHo, two characters whose lives are brought together against a background of occupation and war. From the perfumed chambers of Miss Sil- ver’s courtesan school to the frozen forests of Manchuria and the glamorous cafés of a modernizing Seoul, Beasts of a Little Land is a richly historical, romantic story of love and resilience. Dive deeper into the world and themes of the book with...
Cyrano reading group activity guide
Cyrano de Bergerac (Peter Dinklage) is a man ahead of his time, dazzling one and all with ferocious wordplay and brilliant swordplay. Except, that is, in matters of the heart, where his “unique physique” inhibits him. He has yet to declare his feelings to the luminous Roxanne (Haley Bennett), but once she locks eyes with handsome King’s Guard recruit Christian (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), it is love at first sight. Cyrano promises her that he will befriend and protect Christian – and soon learns...
Adult January Booklist: Hope
After an exceptionally challenging two years, The Reading Agency had compiled a booklist for adults centred around the theme of ‘hope’. From manifestos on feminism, the environment and LGBTQ+ rights, to memoirs of overcoming monumental hardships, to bitesize short stories to lift your spirits, this list will invigorate and inspire readers as we enter 2022! Tell us what you think of the books on this list, or any you have read, by tagging us on social media: @readingagency
Bruno's Challenge & Other Dordogne Tales digital assets
Digital assets for libraries and other organisations to promote Bruno’s Challenge & Other Dordogne Tales by Martin Walker on social media.
Extract of The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry
The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry is one of the novels featured on series 3 of BBC Two’s Between the Covers. Find a reading group guide here. Find out about Between the Covers.
Extract of Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan is one of the novels featured on series 3 of BBC Two’s Between the Covers. Read an exclusive extract of the novel here. Find out about Between the Covers.
The Reading Agency's Books of the Year! Adult
At The Reading Agency, we have read a lot of brilliant books over the past year; books that have made us laugh, cry and get through those challenging lockdown months. Members of our team have picked the book that stood out to them and shared a few words on why they loved it. We hope you find some inspiration for your next read, or perhaps spot a few titles you have enjoyed yourself! Tell us on social media by tagging @readingagency and using #BooksOfTheYear.
Extract of Still Life by Sarah Winman
Still Life by Sarah Winman is one of the novels featured on series 3 of BBC Two’s Between the Covers. Read an exclusive extract of the novel here. Find out about Between the Covers.
Reading Friends resource pack: The Imperfect Art of Caring
This free resource pack for The Imperfect Art of Caring by Jessica Ryn has been designed for Reading Friends projects. It contains an extract from the book and discussion questions intended to support conversations and reflections on personal experiences and stories. About the book Violet Strong is strong by name but not by nature, or so she thinks. She listens but never talks about herself. She’s friendly but doesn’t have many real friends. She’s become good at keeping people at a distance...
The Prince of the Skies A3 Poster
From the bestselling author of The Librarian of Auschwitz, Antonio Iturbe, comes a captivating historical novel based on a true story – the extraordinary life and mysterious death of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, author of The Little Prince. Here is a downloadable A3 poster.
The Prince of the Skies Reading Group Questions
From the bestselling author of The Librarian of Auschwitz, Antonio Iturbe, comes a captivating historical novel based on a true story – the extraordinary life and mysterious death of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, author of The Little Prince. Here are some downloadable questions for reading groups.
Booker Prize 2021 shortlist reading groups
If you’re reading any of the Booker Prize 2021 shortlisted titles, these reading guides will help to spark discussion and get you thinking.
His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie - Book Club Kit
Oneworld have created a Book Club Kit for His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie. His Only Wife is a captivating debut and a Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club Pick! ‘Vivid, witty and utterly absorbing.’ Daily Mail In one of the most talked about and hilarious debuts of the year, Afi Tekple, a bright young seamstress from a small town in Ghana, is convinced by her family to marry a man she has never met. The fact that she doesn’t know Elikem seems a small price to pay for a marriage that offers her...
November Booklist for Adults: Noteworthy Non-fiction
From the interviews with famous people about love in all its forms, to the experiences of a GP during the Covid pandemic, to the history of The Beatles, our list of noteworthy non-fiction has something for everyone.
RISE by Maliha Abidi: competition resources
This pack contains an PDF sampler of the book RISE by Maliha Abidi and a promotional poster for a competition inspired by the book. RISE celebrates the inspirational stories of 100 remarkable women of colour. From the entrepreneur with a homemade marmalade business who went on to found Women’s World Banking, to the first Black female astronaut, these trailblazers have risen above challenges to reach dizzying heights. For the competition, we ask entrants to submit a written profile or artwork...
Adult October Booklist: Perfect Poetry
Celebrate National Poetry Day on 7 October 2021 – and every day! – with this fantastic selection of poetry collections, anthologies and song lyrics.
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath - Reading Guide
Faber have created a reading guide to one of the BBC’s ‘100 novels that shaped our world’, and the Guardian called ‘a modern classic’. The Bell Jar, Sylvia Plath’s only novel, is partially based on Plath’s own life. It has been celebrated for its darkly funny and razor sharp portrait of 1950s society, and continues to reach new readers and sell millions of copies worldwide.
100 Poets by John Carey Reading Group Questions
John Carey has compiled a short, uniquely valuable anthology of verse based on a simple principle: select the one hundred greatest poets from across the centuries, and then choose their very best poems. Here are some book club questions to aid discussion.
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr Reading Group Questions
Readers questions for the award winning All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. WINNER OF THE 2015 PULITZER PRIZE FOR FICTION NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER WINNER OF THE CARNEGIE MEDAL FOR FICTION A beautiful, stunningly ambitious novel about a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II. A perfect choice for book clubs.
Adult September Booklist: The Power of Reading
To celebrate National Literacy Day on 8th September 2021, we have created a list of books perfect for less confident readers, people developing their literacy skills, and those looking for something short and sweet! There is a mix of fantastic fiction, engaging non-fiction, and snappy short stories, plus cookbooks and graphic novels.
National Reading Group Day - library toolkit
This toolkit will help librarians to plan for National Reading Group Day on 14 September. Activity packs for Reading Friends and Chatterbooks groups will be available soon. Contact readinggroups@readingagency.org.uk with any questions.
Adult August Booklist: For the Love of Books
To celebrate Book Lovers’ Day on 9 August, we have compiled a list of books all about the joy of reading, bookshops and libraries! The list also includes titles which think are perfect for inspiring a love of reading.
Choose Songbirds for your next Reading Group
We are pleased to be able to offer downloadable Reading Group questions for Songbirds, the powerful follow-up to The Beekeeper of Aleppo. Nisha has crossed oceans to give her child a future. By day she cares for Petra’s daughter; at night she mothers her own little girl by the light of a phone. Nisha’s lover, Yiannis, is a poacher, hunting the tiny songbirds on their way to Africa each winter. His dreams of a new life, and of marrying Nisha, are shattered when she vanishes. No one cares about...
Radio 2 Book Club titles April-June 2021
Here are all the titles recommended by the Radio 2 Book Club on the Steve Wright in the Afternoon Show from April to June 2021. These books were chosen in collaboration with librarians in the UK. You can find out more on our website.
National Poetry Day Discussion Notes
Join in the National Poetry Day celebration on 7 October by choosing a book from the list of recommended books for reading groups. There’s no right or wrong way to approach poetry, or to appreciate and discuss it. This guide will provide your group with questions for each of National Poetry Day’s recommended reads. Enjoy!
Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line by Deepa Anappara - Reading Guide Booklet
Discover the heart-rending, unforgettable novel longlisted for the Women’s Prize 2020 with Vintage’s Reading Group Booklet. We would love to see how you use the reading guide on social media using #DjinnPatrol and @VintageBooks. ‘A dazzling, wonderful book’ ELIF SHAFAK ‘The arrival of a literary supernova… Warning: if you begin in the morning, don’t expect to get anything done for the rest of the day’ NEW YORK TIMES In a sprawling Indian city, three friends venture into the most dangerous...
The Courage to Care Reading Guide
The Courage to Care is a vital and timely book about inspirational nurses, and the bravery of patients and families, from the bestselling author of The Language of Kindness. Written by Christie Watson and published by Vintage.
The Courage to Care Downloadable Poster
The Courage to Care is a vital and timely book about inspirational nurses, and the bravery of patients and families, from the bestselling author of The Language of Kindness. Written by Christie Watson and published by Vintage.
THE FATHER film discussion guide
In THE FATHER, Hopkins plays the eponymous role of a mischievous and highly independent man who, as he ages, refuses all assistance from his daughter Anne (Olivia Colman). Yet, such help has become essential following Anne’s decision to move to Paris with her partner. As Anne’s father tries to make sense of his changing circumstances, he begins to doubt his loved ones, his own mind and even the fabric of his reality. This discussion guide created by Kova PR can be used to inspire...
