Fall in love with reading Friday, January 20, 2012 - 09:33

Do you love to lose yourself in a good book? Many of us do, but what happens when the love affair turns sour?

Rachael Morgan from Neath Port Talbot absolutely hated school. "I was labelled the naughty one, and was eventually diagnosed with severe dyslexia. I made it to college but found that I couldn't cope and soon left", she said. Things changed for Rachael when she joined a Family Learning class, and began to learn to read alongside her daughter. "I like learning now," said Rachael, "I'm a totally different person to the one I was at school".

Rachael is not alone. An estimated 12% of adults in Wales lack basic literacy skills, and parents who lack confidence in reading are much less likely to inspire a love of reading in their children.

Quick Reads are brilliantly written short books for people who want a fun, fast read, have lost the reading habit or find reading tough. NIACE Dysgu Cymru has teamed up with the Welsh Books Council to help launch the new 2012 titles on St Dwynwen's Day - the perfect date to fall in love with reading! The Quick Reads / Stori Sydyn 2012 titles will be launched at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay on Wednesday 25th January at 11.30am and at Neuadd PJ in Newborough, Anglesey, later the same day at 6.30pm.

Rhydian Thomas, Senior Campaigns Manager at NIACE Dysgu Cymru, said "We're delighted to be involved in the launch of the new Quick Read 2012  titles in Wales. Through our network of Learning Festivals, we've arranged 'Fall In Love With Reading' events in every Welsh county as part of a wider programme of free learning tasters in January, so wherever you are you can try your hand at something new".  

Delyth Humphreys, Head of the Children's Books and Reading Promotion Department at the Welsh Books Council, added: 'The Quick Reads / Stori Sydyn campaign is gaining momentum and encouraging thousands of people across Wales - many of whom may not have read a book before - to give reading a go.

 'The new titles for 2012 offer a fascinating mix of subject matters both real-life and fiction, which I'm sure will appeal to people of all ages and interests.'

For details of free learning tasters, including Quick Reads events, in your area go to www.yourfuturechoiceaction.org.uk or call 0800 100 900.