Stormzy Champions Quick Reads As The UK Celebrates The National Year Of Reading

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK“, Stormzy champions Quick Reads in the UK’s National Year of Reading 2026 to empower non-readers and lapsed readers with the “superpower” of reading during this landmark year of celebrating and expanding literacy for all.

British music icon Stormzy has lent his influential voice to The Reading Agency’s Quick Reads programme, highlighting reading as a powerful tool for personal growth and change. His support arrives during 2026, designated as the National Year of Reading—a major UK-wide campaign aimed at reversing declining reading habits and encouraging people of all ages to embrace books as part of everyday life.

Addressing the UK’s Reading Challenges

Nearly half of adults in the UK do not identify as readers, contributing to what has been described as a reading crisis. The National Year of Reading, led by the Department for Education in partnership with organisations including the National Literacy Trust and The Reading Agency, seeks to reconnect individuals with the joys of reading by linking it to their existing interests and passions. The campaign encourages the nation to “Go All In” on reading to enhance wellbeing, social connections, and opportunities.

Quick Reads: Two Decades of Impactful Accessibility

Launched in 2006, Quick Reads marks its 20th anniversary in 2026 with its most expansive efforts yet. The programme produces short, engaging books crafted by bestselling authors, tailored for adults who are new to reading, have lapsed in the habit, face time constraints, or are neurodivergent. These titles undergo thorough accessibility checks to ensure they build confidence and enjoyment in reading.

Over the years, Quick Reads has distributed more than 5 million books, partnered with over 30 publishers, and generated over 6 million library loans. It plays a central role in tackling barriers such as limited time, low confidence, and language challenges, making reading approachable and rewarding.

The initiative centres around World Book Night on 23 April, when thousands of Quick Reads titles are distributed free to libraries, prisons, community organisations, charities, and foodbanks nationwide.

Stormzy’s Enduring Commitment to Literacy and Voices

Stormzy, renowned for his contributions to music, culture, and social justice, has long advocated for greater equity in the arts. Through his #Merky Books imprint at Penguin Random House, he promotes diverse storytelling and underrepresented perspectives. In 2020, he established the #Merky Foundation, committing £10 million over a decade to advance racial equality and justice reform.

His backing of Quick Reads aligns with this mission, as he views both music and books as avenues for self-expression and identity. He has emphasised how reading supported him in his youth and continues to do so, describing it as a “superpower” that helps people navigate life.

A New Title from #Merky Books

Among the six new Quick Reads titles released for 2026 is Hunger Pains by Derek Owusu, published by #Merky Books. Owusu, an award-winning writer and poet who did not read a book until age 24, has praised the programme’s gentle, accessible approach that eases people into the pleasures of fiction and non-fiction. He expressed excitement at contributing to its legacy and helping others gain confidence in reading.

The full 2026 lineup includes a variety of genres such as thrillers, romance, and contemporary fiction:

• The Girl in the Picture by Rachel Hore (Simon & Schuster)
• Cell One by Leye Adenle (Simon & Schuster)
• Sweet Charity by Rosie Goodwin (Bonnier Books UK)
• The Woman Next Door by Louise Jensen (HQ, HarperCollins)
• Hunger Pains by Derek Owusu (Merky Books, Penguin Random House)
• The Last Bench by Carmel Harrington (Headline, Hachette)

Ambitious Expansions for 2026

To celebrate the anniversary and align with the National Year of Reading, The Reading Agency has introduced significant enhancements. For the first time, Quick Reads will be available as audiobooks. The charity will also announce a major new partnership and a special title for World Book Night. Additionally, plans include gifting half a million Quick Reads books to prisons across the UK.

Research from The Reading Agency demonstrates that consistent reading improves mental health, social mobility, and overall life prospects. The organisation aims to prove that reading is inclusive and that even one book can spark a lasting habit.

As the UK marks this pivotal year, initiatives like Quick Reads—bolstered by prominent supporters like Stormzy—continue to make reading accessible and transformative for everyone.

Find more now:

Quick Reads can be ordered from: The Reading Agency

readingagency.org.uk | @readingagency