The Reading Agency and Health Education England are proud to launch Uplifting resources: for the NHS from the NHS. Bringing together a crowd-sourced collection of ten books and a supporting list of digital resources, all recommended by NHS staff, for NHS staff, to provide inspiration, give hope and promote wellbeing. The collection will be available in all 184 Health Education England library services from today so NHS staff can easily access the books.

The collection of ten books have been recommended via a survey circulated by the NHS and the final list was selected by a panel of NHS staff. The book collection contains fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, and a supporting collection of uplifting digital resources, including poems, websites, videos and apps and is accessible on the NHS website.

The book collection is made up of the below titles:

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesey

“Beautiful, heart-warming and soothes the soul. It makes you realise life is good.” Senior Staff Nurse

Three Things About Elsie by Joanna Cannon

“This book….is a poignant reminder that ‘even the smallest life can leave the loudest echo” GP

The Lido by Libby Page

“Although there are some sad or difficult moments in the story, it is all about human connection and finding the things that bring the sparkle to your life” NHS Quality Improvement team

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

“Beautiful writing – a really moving and interesting story. Some lovely detail about wildlife and the power to cope in very difficult circumstances” Urgent Care Sister

The Salt Path by Raynor Winn

“Life-affirming…a testament to strength when everything is against you and life seems at its very worse. It is about rediscovering what is important…a book that helps me put things into perspective” Community Nurse

Calypso by David Sedaris

“Short accessible stories which made me laugh out loud” Doctor

The Lost Spells by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris

“This is a stunningly beautiful book. The paintings are just gorgeous, and the writing is too. A soothing love letter to nature” NHS Improvement team

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

“Brilliant book about a Japanese café where you can travel back in time, beautiful story!” NHS Intensive Care Team

Happiness FM by Mary Dickins

“The writing is so witty….Treat yourself to this, it’ll definitely brighten your day.” NHS Clinical Coder

Love in Colour by Bolu Babalola

“…Engages all the senses and lifts the reader right out of their everyday setting” NHS Librarian

Karen Napier, CEO, The Reading Agency said:

"The Reading Agency is delighted to be working with Health Education England on this collection of uplifting books to bring the proven power of reading to NHS staff through their fabulous network of libraries.  This diverse collection of books, by fantastic authors, has been carefully selected by those working for the NHS to provide something uplifting for their colleagues who have worked ceaselessly and inspired us all during the pandemic and beyond.  Whether it's a novel to lose yourself in, or a short story or poem to momentarily whisk you away from the now, there's something for everyone in this list, hopefully encouraging us all to take a break with a book this Health Information Week.  With our thanks to all NHS staff across the country, we hope this collection brings a smile to your face."

Ruth Carlyle, Head of Knowledge and Library Services, Head Education England said:

"NHS knowledge and library services provide access to evidence for care, but they also provide support to NHS staff who want to develop new skills or to improve their own wellbeing. This set of books and digital resources funded by Health Education England adds to the ongoing role played by knowledge and library services within the NHS. We thank all NHS staff for the vital roles that they play and hope that the collection will bring individuals a few uplifting minutes."

Libby Page, author of The Lido said:

"I'm delighted that The Lido has been included as an uplifting read for inclusion in NHS libraries for staff. Doctors, nurses and other health professionals within the NHS do such a fantastic job and if my book is able to offer them a moment's pause and respite after a busy and stressful day, that means a lot to me. Mental health is a subject close to my heart and I believe it's vital that those in caring positions are also supported to take care of themselves; reading can be a welcome distraction and moment of calm. My sister and best friend are both trainee doctors so I've seen first-hand how challenging working in healthcare can be - I hope that dipping into The Lido will provide a well-deserved break, as well as touching on subjects like mental health and loneliness that I'm sure NHS staff encounter daily in their jobs. I feel very proud to have my book included on this wonderful list."

For other suggestions of books to celebrate the NHS, check out our collection 9 Books with the NHS at their Heart