Reading fun is not just for children this summer - Library service encourages adults to read ‘two’
Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Libraries Service wants adults to celebrate their love of books and reading again this summer.
Following last year’s successful summer reading challenge to encourage adults to read more, libraries are launching Adults Read Two again online and in libraries.
Entrants over 16 just need to read two books between 5 July and 7 September, 13 to 15-year-olds can also enter with parental permission.
Choose from a library book, eBook or eAudiobook, to be in with a chance to win £50 of book vouchers through a prize draw, there will also be a £50 book voucher prize for 13 to 17-year-olds and Brio Leisure seven-day adult passes.
Sign up at www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/read or pick up a flyer from your nearest library. A winner will be chosen at random.
The Council’s Cabinet Member for a Fairer Future, Councillor Lisa Denson said:
Adults Read Two complements our highly successful Summer Reading Challenge which attracts thousands of school age children every summer. Our wonderful libraries want adults to celebrate their love of books and reading too this summer. As well as the chance to win a prize, taking part in ‘Adults Read Two’ has potential health and wellbeing benefits. Reading a book for just six minutes has been shown to be more relaxing than having a hot drink, listening to music or watching television and can have a direct and significant impact on stress levels. Whether it be a gripping thriller or a cosy romance, reading can help improve an individual’s health and wellbeing.
The Borough’s libraries are making it as easy as possible to take part by saying that any book can be read in any format. You can also join the library online and get instant access to free online resources including eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines and eNewspapers.
And just for fun from 1 August take part in the #BooketList. The Council’s Libraries team have selected their 30 favourite reads from the last 12 months including ‘The Best of Everything’ by Kit De Waal, ‘The Vipers’ by Katy Hays and ‘The Life Impossible’ by Matt Haig. The list can be used for ideas for your reading over the summer and will be available online. Follow Cheshire Libraries on Facebook, X and Instagram and join in the conversation.
The following author visits are also planned:
Katy Watson will be at:
Great Boughton Library Thursday 31 July 7pm.
An evening with Katy Waston bestselling author of The Three Dahlia’s series - celebrating the Golden Age of Crime Fiction with a modern twist. Her latest book ‘Deadly Night at the Theatre’ published in July is described as ‘an utterly gripping English cosy murder mystery’.
Kelly Mullen will be at:
Neston Library Thursday 14 August 7pm
An evening with crime writer Kelly Mullen. Her debut novel 'This Is Not a Game' is set to be one of the big crime fiction debuts of 2025. Her second novel, 'A Murder in Eight Cocktails', publishes April 2026.
Kelly has had an illustrious career, working as a producer in Hollywood and as a marketing executive in New York and London. As an executive producer, her credits include the Academy Award-nominated movie Trumbo, starring Bryan Cranston and Helen Mirren, and the AppleTV+ documentary Dads, which she produced with Ron Howard. It's going to be a fascinating evening, so don't miss out.
Caz Frear will be at:
Winsford Library Wednesday 20 August, 6pm
An evening with Caz Frear, creator of the Cat Kinsella crime novels. Caz will be chatting about her latest standalone novel ‘Five Bad Deeds’, a dark and twisty thriller about secrets, lies and revenge. Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty, Laura Marshall and T. M. Logan.
They also have Summer Scares, as the Librarian of Weeping Bank returns to Northwich Library at Weaver Hall Museum on Thursday 7 August, 6.30pm with a new ghostly story…’Figure on the Pier’
A ghost story to chill the spine from the shelves of Weeping Bank Library, written by A. G. Smith and read by ‘The Librarian’.
Weeping Bank brings engaging, candlelit performances of ghost stories to community spaces, creating intimate and unique experiences for both avid and reluctant readers, gothic horror fans and lovers of traditional storytelling.
Maybe unsuitable for under 15s and those of a nervous disposition.
Tickets for events available at: www.ticketsource.co.uk/cwaclibraries
More information, including terms and conditions, on Adults Read Two can be found at www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/read