Stormzy has called reading a 'superpower' as he backed the Quick Reads initiative, which aims to encourage non-readers and lapsed readers to pick up a book. The musician's publishing imprint, #Merky Books, part of Penguin, is publishing one of this year's six Quick Reads titles.
The #Merky Books title is Hunger Pains by Derek Owusu, a 128-page novel about a fitness enthusiast whose obsession takes a toll, leading him to a dangerous online community. Owusu, who did not read a book until age 24, said he wished he had discovered Quick Reads sooner, describing them as accessible, affordable and gentle.
The Quick Reads initiative, run by The Reading Agency for 20 years, releases short, digestible books specifically for non-readers, lapsed readers, people with short attention spans, and neurodivergent readers. This year, for the first time, the titles will also be available as audiobooks, and half a million copies will be distributed to UK prisons.
All Quick Reads undergo a rigorous accessibility review process, including testing for readability and suitability for adults rebuilding reading confidence. The six titles go on sale in April for £1 each, with other authors including Carmel Harrington, Rachel Hore, Louise Jensen, Rosie Goodwin and Leye Adenle.
