Resources
The Book of Night Women: Discussion Guide
Reading guide and discussion questions to accompany the Big Jubilee Read title The Book of Night Women by Marlon James. Print this resource to use with a book group or literacy class.
The Reading Agency's April Booklist for Adults - Autism
We have created a list of brilliant books written predominantly by autistic authors and representing a diverse range of experiences, stories and voices. We have used identity first language (autistic) in line with current best practice, unless a different term has been used by an autistic author in their work. We are proud to have worked with Autistic UK on the creation of this booklist. Autistic UK is an Autistic People’s Organisation (APO) – an organisation run by autistic people for...
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.
My Name Is Why (Quick Reads): Discussion Guide
Reading guide and discussion questions to accompany the Quick Read title My Name Is Why (abridged for Quick Reads) by Lemn Sissay. Print this resource to use with a book group or literacy class.
The Black Mountain: Discussion Guide
Reading guide and discussion questions to accompany the Quick Read title The Black Mountain by Kate Mosse. Print this resource to use with a book group or literacy class.
Blind Spot: Discussion Guide
Reading guide and discussion questions to accompany the Quick Read title Blind Spot by Paula Hawkins. Print this resource to use with a book group or literacy class.
The Kiss: Discussion Guide
Reading guide and discussion questions to accompany the Quick Read title The Kiss by Santa Montefiore. Print this resource to use with a book group or literacy class.
Bless the Daughter Raised by a Voice in her Head digital activity pack
These resources are designed to be used with children aged 15+ to explore the debut poetry collection by Warsan Shire, Bless the Daughter Raised by a Voice in her Head. The digital activity pack contains: Bless the Daughter review sheet (PDF) Bless the Daughter activity pack (PDF) Audio recording of four poems, read by Warsan Shire (WAV)
'French Braid' Reading Group Guide
THE MAJOR NEW NOVEL FROM ONE OF THE GREATEST STORYTELLERS OF OUR TIME French Braid is a brilliantly perceptive, painfully true and funny journey deep into one family’s foibles, from the 1950s right up to the changed world of today When the kids are grown and Mercy Garrett gradually moves herself out of the family home, everyone is determined not to notice. Over at her studio, she wants space and silence. She won’t allow any family clutter. Not even their cat, Desmond. Yet it is a clutter of...
'House of Music: Raising the Kanneh-Masons' Reading Guide
Explore the themes of travelling and being at home, music, family and community from House of Music with these prompt questions for your reading group. About the Book Seven brothers and sisters. All of them classically trained musicians. One was Young Musician of the Year and performed for the royal family. The eldest has released her first album, showcasing the works of Clara Schumann. These siblings don’t come from the rarefied environment of elite music schools, but from a state...
'The Coffin Club' Reading Guide
Dive deeper into the themes of the The Coffin Club with this discussion guide for your reading group. About the Book Some people would kill for a second chance. Kat is rebuilding her life. After losing her husband in a tragic accident, moving to the countryside is her chance to start again. Encouraged by her new and only friend Ginny, Kat joins New Horizons, dubbed the Coffin Club by its members. And that’s how she meets Nico. Instantly drawn to each other, Nico seems like Kat’s perfect...
'Build Your House Around My Body' Reading Guide
Longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2022, Build Your House Around My Body is an unforgettable debut that hurtles through the ghostly secrets of Vietnamese history. This reading guide from Oneworld Publications includes prompt questions to encourage and guide conversation about the book within your Reading Group.
The Reading Agency's March Booklist: Wonder Women
To mark International Women’s Day (8 March) and celebrate the achievements, triumphs and general brilliance of women and girls around the world, we have created a booklist that represents all these things! From a sweet-toothed recipe book to a history of women’s clothing, to a depiction of Death as a Black working-class woman – with some brilliant translated fiction among them – we hope these books provide something for everyone to discover and enjoy. Tell us what you think of the books on...
The Unholy Trilogy Reading Group Questions
Dive deeper into the world of Lisa McInerney’s ‘The Unholy Trilogy’ with these reading group questions to help guide your discussion.
Otherlands by Thomas Halliday - digital pack
Discover the past as you’ve never seen it before in Otherlands Otherlands is an epic, exhilarating journey into deep time. Travelling back in time to the dawn of complex life, and across all seven continents, award-winning young palaeobiologist Thomas Halliday gives us a mesmerizing up close encounter with eras that are normally unimaginably distant. There are lots of digital resources that you can use to enter the display competition from Penguin Press. You can download the pack here. To...
The School for Good Mothers Reading Guide
This reading group guide for ‘The School for Good Mothers’ includes an introduction, discussion questions, and ideas for enhancing your book club. The suggested questions are intended to help your reading group find new and interesting angles and topics for your discussion.
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.