Quick reads

An exciting new initiative for reluctant or emergent adult readers - even those who may never have picked up a book before.

The scheme is supported by a host of organisations nationwide, including Arts Council England and WH Smith, and books are priced at £2.99.

The bite-sized books are written by some of the most well-known authors in the UK and another 12 brand new Quick Reads were published earlier this month, to coincide with Adult Learners' Week 2006.

Authors include Scottish writer Val McDermid, Joanna Trollope, Ruth Rendell, Richard Branson, Andy McNab, Maeve Binchy and many others and there is something for everyone, with topics including crime, women's fiction, adventure, fantasy, humour, self-help and football.

The books are available all over the UK, in both high-street and independent bookshops, supermarkets and libraries, and the Quick Reads website has a store-finder database which you can use to locate your nearest stockist.

Even if you don't live near a stockist, you can order books direct from the list of wholesalers or publishers which can be found on the Quick Reads website.