Reading for pleasure

6th March 2026

Many of us will have enjoyed, to varying degrees, the simpler pleasures of World Book Day. Each institution recognised the importance of the day in encouraging a focus on reading, and reading for pleasure. We are not all the same and our differences are our strengths – not everywhere had to dress up as your favourite literary character; be that pupils, students and staff. Everywhere did something and, as always, when our children are in working with us, despite the background noise, we had a fantastic response, with a genuine engagement in reading and literature. Well done and thank you to all those who supported and participated.

At the heart of the WBD messaging this week, as always, has been the understanding that reading for pleasure, can take us out of ourselves and out of the moment. In these turbulent times that might be more important than ever. There’s so much to worry about, yet so little we can do. To cope we all need to be able to switch off and take ourselves away to the world that only literature can take us. Importantly, reading allows for our imagination to spark. We are on our own, when reading, in our word or in our interpretation of the author’s world – they will not ever be the same. This will promote a feeling of well-being – a psychological impact. This will also promote a positive physical reaction. Research recently published suggests that our stress levels reduce.

Reading for as little as six minutes a day can reduce stress levels by up to 68%, according to a University of Sussex study. It acts faster and more effectively than other relaxing activities such as listening to music, having a cup of tea or coffee, or walking. Reading lowers the heart rate and eases muscle tension.

We shouldn’t need a motivation to read – it should be just for pleasure. But it is good to know it’s actually doing us some good.

‘Reading is an exercise in empathy; an exercise in walking in someone else’s shoes for a while.’ Malorie Blackman

‘There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.’ Will Rogers

‘Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.’ Mark Twain