Key Takeaways
- The Hay festival is launching a new campaign called The Pleasure List to collect recommendations for the most pleasurable books to entice new readers.
- The campaign aims to combat falling literacy rates in the UK and reverse the downward trend of adults reading for pleasure.
- Readers can submit their recommendations through a call out form and enter a draw to win a bundle of books for a public space of their choice.
- The National Year of Reading 2026 is a government-backed initiative to address the decline in reading among children and adults.
- The final selection of books will be unveiled at Hay festival 2026, which will take place from 21 to 31 May.
Introduction to The Pleasure List Campaign
The Hay festival is launching a new campaign called The Pleasure List, which aims to collect recommendations for the most pleasurable books to entice new readers. The campaign is run in partnership with the government’s National Year of Reading 2026 and seeks to combat falling literacy rates in the UK. According to Hay festival president Stephen Fry, the campaign is "great news for book lovers, but the stats show we’re a dying breed." Fry notes that fewer and fewer people in Britain are reading for pleasure, and the campaign aims to change that. The Pleasure List will share the "most un-put-downable" reads in the hopes of helping reverse the downward trend of adults reading for pleasure.
The Importance of Reading for Pleasure
The National Year of Reading 2026 was announced by education secretary Bridget Phillipson in July, and it seeks to address the sharp decline in reading among children and adults. In November, the education committee launched an inquiry into the decline in reading for pleasure. Phillipson emphasizes that "this can’t be just a government mission. It needs to be a national one. So, it’s time for all of us to play our part, put our phones down and pick up a book." The Hay festival is playing its part by pulling together a reading list that can entice the most reluctant reader to start. Fry is urging readers to submit their recommendations for The Pleasure List, asking "what’s the book you raced through in one sitting? What book never fails to cheer you up? What’s the first book you remember falling in love with?"
How to Get Involved
Readers can submit their recommendations for The Pleasure List through a call out form. Each contribution enters readers into a draw to win a bundle of books for a public space of their choice. Hay festival CEO Julie Finch notes that "more and more people feel that books aren’t for them, or they don’t know where to begin." The Pleasure List "will offer a joyful starting point to help people on their reading journeys." By submitting their recommendations, readers can help create a list of books that will inspire and delight new readers. The campaign is a great opportunity for book lovers to share their passion for reading and help make a positive impact on literacy rates in the UK.
Upcoming Events and the Future of The Pleasure List
The final selection of books will be unveiled at Hay festival 2026, which will take place from 21 to 31 May. A selection of earlybird events have been released, with the full programme set to be published in March. Bernardine Evaristo, Lea Ypi, Samira Ahmed, and David Olusoga are among authors scheduled to attend. The Hay festival is a great platform for book lovers to come together and celebrate their shared passion for reading. The Pleasure List campaign is an exciting initiative that has the potential to make a real difference in promoting reading for pleasure and combating falling literacy rates in the UK. By getting involved and submitting their recommendations, readers can help create a list of books that will inspire and delight new readers for years to come.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
In conclusion, The Pleasure List campaign is a great initiative that aims to promote reading for pleasure and combat falling literacy rates in the UK. The campaign is run in partnership with the government’s National Year of Reading 2026 and seeks to create a list of the most pleasurable books to entice new readers. By submitting their recommendations, readers can help create a list of books that will inspire and delight new readers. The Hay festival is a great platform for book lovers to come together and celebrate their shared passion for reading. The Pleasure List campaign is an exciting initiative that has the potential to make a real difference in promoting reading for pleasure and combating falling literacy rates in the UK. As Fry notes, "it’s time for all of us to play our part, put our phones down and pick up a book." By getting involved and submitting their recommendations, readers can help make a positive impact on literacy rates in the UK and promote a love of reading that will last a lifetime.