If Quick Reads have helped you get back into the reading habit, we would love to hear from you.
Ten new titles were launched on World Book Day, 4 March 2010. Following an online poll, voted for by readers, the Quick Reads Readers’ Favourite Award Winner 2010 is Peter James for his book The Perfect Murder
Tell us what you thought of the books by sending us a book review.
Read Previous Reviews:
- Buster Fleabags – Rolf Harris
A lovely story of Rolf from a boy to a man; the adventures he had with his lovely dog Buster Fleabags. Loads of funny bits, sad bits and even how Rolf saved his life. Well worth reading.
- Nicky
- Thank you!
Thanks to World Book Day, Quick Reads and the Skills for Life Tutors. I had a tour of the Newcastle City Library. I'm a lot more confident now in knowing what to look for and what I like to read. Before Skills for Life and the Quick Reads books I had not read for a number of years. I read all of the time now and I know what kind of books that I like to read. I also have a good idea for the different writers to look out for. The size for the book does not put me off anymore. Thank you for helping me to start reading again. I now enjoy lots of different books.
- Hazel, Newcastle College
- One Good Turn - Chris Ryan
I would recommend this book to people of all ages from teens onwards as it is an action packed thriller full of twists and revelations but also cleverly set in the ugly and brutal backdrop of the first world war in France. Another good thing about this book is it's only around a hundred pages; it will not take you very long to read this book.
- Luke -SFL student at Riverside College Widnes
- Hello Mum – Bernadine Evaristo
I would say this is the best book I've ever read!! It is very thin (of course when it's from Quick Reads). It's about a 14 year old boy that lives in London, in a very bad place, and he wants to be 'cool' and gets himself into drug dealing. I would say read it; it's wonderful...! By the way, the book is written like a letter he wrote to his Mum.
- Vanessa
- Family Learning Breakfast - a success
As with all of these things that we try, the initial take-up is usually quite slow but, having introduced the books on World Book Day with a free breakfast for all participating adults, we then made a display on Parents Evening and encouraged parents to borrow a book then. We are slowly gathering momentum now and I am finding parents at my door wanting to change their books ( just like the children! )
Parents' comments...
'I read this book and then gave it to my 15- year old to read. I have also bought a copy for my nephew. I think it's good for them to read.' ('Hello, Mum')
'This book was brilliant. I read it all within the same day. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. That dog felt like my friend.' ('Buster Fleabags')
'It's easier to get a book from you than go to the Library.'
'I used to read quite a lot but I don't have much time now. This was nice and quick and I liked it because I could finish it.'
'This was such an endearing story. I never cry at books and I did at this one.' ('Buster Fleabags')
- Julie Ash, Norfolk Community Primary, Sheffield
- The Perfect Murder - Peter James
I have just finished reading Peter James The Perfect Murder - What a fantastic quick book! picked it up and hour or so ago and could not put it down! The twist was awesome! I would recommend this to anyone! When can i get the next one?
- Clair Murphy
- Happy Families - Adele Parks
A lovely read for the bath or the bus, but more than that a great introduction to chick lit. I work in a FE College library and one student last year told us it was the first book she had ever read because the story was something she could relate to herself-not like many chick lits - this story was like a real person curling up with a cup of tea and telling you about their day, lovely.
- Jess Haigh
- Student Reading Group
During the last academic year two groups of students met on a weekly basis to read the Quick Reads. The students gave comments about the books and I created a display in the learning resource centre of photographs and thoughts about the books. The students thoroughly enjoy the relaxed environment to meet and the LRC provided refreshments and biscuits. Two new groups of students are about to begin to read the Quick Reads for this new term, meeting again on a weekly basis.
- Sharon Gray, Hartlepool College
- Wow! What have Quick Reads done for me?
Before starting my Move On English course at Abbotsmead I had basically given up on reading novels. But Quick Reads are small enough to get started again and yet also contain all the interesting information inside to make them enjoyable. I now love losing myself in a book and enjoy sharing the ideas with others. I hope this is the start of reading again for me, and I am now exchanging books with friends and discussing other books and authors. Quick Reads are an ideal opportunity to get back into reading without being put off by the size of a novel, or in my case, feeling guilty for not doing something more productive [how wrong have I been!]
- Maureen Mulgrew
- Lily - Adele Geras
I enjoyed this interesting uncomplicated story which uses modern and realistic ideas. It’s a sad story on several levels but at least at the end we find out that Marie’s innocence is understood by one of the other characters. It ends quite abruptly but leaves the reader to imagine what might happen next.
- Kate Brown
- Survive the Worst and Aim for the Best – Kerry Katona
Kerry certainly proves in this book that she is a survivor. The book being a quick read makes Kerry’s journey seem quicker and easier than I’m sure it really has been.
If you have never been in any of the situations described then this book is an eye opener.
- J. Guest
- Humble Pie – Gordon Ramsey
Moving, engaging and inspiring. This book is a fabulous read on many levels. Gordon’s childhood was challenging and would have broken a lesser man, but instead he used it to fuel his efforts as a chef and as a result became what he is today. There were real insights into the restaurant trade that were most enlightening. Meals out will never be the same again.
My life is most definitely enriched from reading this book. We in Britain should be most proud of Gordon Ramsay. What an awesome man!
- Ms. M. E. Morgan (Leeds, UK)
- Twenty Tales from the War Zone - John Simpson
Perfectly formed. If you’ve not read John Simpson’s books then this is a perfect starting point. If, like me, you’re a bit of a fan then this is a very nice work and can be read in a few hours, yet the memories will stay with you for weeks. And like Simpson himself, I too had a nightmare about the IRA man’s chilling words to him at the Funeral. If I say any more, I’ll give too much away! Enjoy!
- Saul Richman
- Book of Short Stories – The Sun
I usually find short stories frustrating to read but these were really enjoyable. The authors all and beginnings, middles and ends so that they felt complete. I enjoyed them all although they were very different, but ‘Henry’ by Elizabeth Brassington was outstanding and deserved to win first prize. All a great read.
- Heather Jefferies
- Burning Ambition – Allen Carr
For smokers everywhere, Carr’s tale should be held up as an example of how to quit the habit. Whether you are interested in ways to stop smoking, ways to encourage a friend or loved one to stop, or simply out of interest in what is by itself a remarkable tale, this book is a good read.
- Alistair Potter
- Dr Who: Revenge of the Judoon
Remember, it’s a Quick Read. For £1.99, you can’t really fault that. With that in mind, yes it is short, but then it is meant to be and I felt that I was reading a 10th Doctor and Martha story. It reminded me somewhat of the ‘Short Trips’ books that have previously been published for the preceding Doctors. The author has clearly watched enough of Tennant’s episodes to know who he’s writing about and how to write him. So far, I’ve found the story easy to follow, easy to read and it has left me wanting to know what’s about to happen. And that in my mind, is a brilliant foundation for a good book.
- A. J. Martin (Cambridge, England)
