Here at LoveReading it's fairly obvious that we love to read, the name is a dead giveaway! Although we know we may be preaching to the converted, chances are you know someone who doesn't read as an adult. Maybe a friend doesn't understand how you find the time to get through the latest bestseller while juggling life, work, childcare and the incessant distractions provided by screens of all sizes. Perhaps a family member wonders why you always have your nose in a book. We already know the joys books can bring but it can feel like a very closed group for someone who might not have had the same experiences and opportunities that allowed us to fall in love with reading. 

UK charity The Reading Agency's flagship initiative Quick Reads publishes abridged versions of bestsellers or brand new stories from popular authors in order to provide a less intimidating stepping stone to reading as an adult. These books are designed to be short and suitable for a range of reading abilities but pack all the punch of their more traditionally sized counterparts. In essence they are perfect for anyone who struggles with reading, and a great entry point for readers looking to discover, (or re-discover) the joys of reading.

Why should I read? 

Chances are, if you’re reading this, you’re a regular reader who loves books. You’ve discovered the joy of stories, and are enjoying all the benefits reading brings, from improved mental health and mental agility, to enhanced empathy. 

Alongside such big picture paybacks, there’s also the fundamental fact — and immediate pleasure — of reading having the power to make you roar with laughter, hide under the covers, sob your heart out, or experience unadulterated joy. What’s not to like about being entertained, unplugged, and away with the fairies (in the best possible way)?

All that considered, research on adults’ reading habits compiled by the Reading Agency, a charity devoted to “helping people to tackle life's big challenges through the proven power of reading”, makes for pretty sobering reading. The headline news is that 31% of adults in England don’t read at all in their spare time. That rises to a whopping 46% of people aged 16-24. What’s more, 16% of adults in England and Northern Ireland score at the lowest level of literacy proficiency.

However, studies show that adults who read for just 30 minutes a week are 20% more likely to report greater life satisfaction. Furthermore regular reading has far-reaching social impacts; improving health, wellbeing, life chances and social connections. So not only is reading an entertaining and enjoyable passtime, it's actually good for you. 

Start reading as an adult.

Maybe it feels like there’s just not enough hours in the day, or maybe the non-reader in question never got into reading in the first place. Whatever the reason, the trick to (re) discovering the magic of reading is to find what floats your boat, much like adopting healthy eating habits — it goes without saying that you’re not going to stick to eating five a day if it feels too worthy, or if the food just isn’t appetising, or satisfying.

With that in mind, one great way to discover the joy of reading, or to rediscover your reading mojo (especially if you’re pushed for time) is through finding fiction that’s in-your-face gripping, accessible and on the short side — criteria met by all the books in our Quick Reads category. Here you’ll find pithy, accessible books by some of the best and most popular contemporary writers, from feel-good fiction by Jenny Colgan, to all-out action from Andy McNab, and a whole lot more besides. You can find out more about the 2025 Quick Read books here in our blog. 

Read on to explore dozens of gripping quick reads that are perfectly-pitched to spark non-reading adults into discovering the magic of getting lost in a good book, along with a few poetry* anthologies that also come recommended as ways into reading.

*Fear not if you’re still haunted by having to study poetry at school — it’s definitely not always impenetrable!