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Reading Well

Reading Well helps people to understand and manage their health and wellbeing using recommended reading.

The books are all chosen and recommended by health experts and people living with the conditions covered. People can be recommended a title by a health professional, or they can visit their local library and take a book out for free.

Many of the Reading Well titles are also available to borrow as e-books and audiobooks.  Visit your local library website to find out how to join the library and access books electronically.

There are five book lists available:

Reading Well for children
Reading Well for teens
Reading Well for mental health
Reading Well for long term conditions
Reading Well for dementia

Four of these lists are available in Wales as part of an integrated programme. These are Reading Well for dementia, Reading Well for adult mental health, Reading Well for children and Reading Well for teens. A selection of books from each list are available in Welsh and can be borrowed for free from public libraries.

Visit the Reading Well website for more information about the books.

Reading Well is delivered by The Reading Agency in partnership with Libraries Connected as part of the Libraries Connected Universal Health Offer. It is funded by Arts Council England and Welsh Government. Reading Well is supported by a range of professional health bodies including NHS England, the Royal College of GPs, the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the British Psychological Society

Impact and reach

Reading Well is evaluated each year to ensure that it delivers positive outcomes. Over 3 million Reading Well books have been borrowed from libraries and 91% of people surveyed found their book helpful.