By Isle of Wight Observer
The IW Observer has signed up as a supporter of the National Year of Reading, a nationwide campaign encouraging people of all ages to discover – or rediscover – the joy of reading.
The initiative, led by the charity Go All In, aims to inspire a million new readers across the UK by highlighting the life‑enhancing benefits that books and stories can bring.
Throughout the year, the IW Observer will be shining a spotlight on the Island’s libraries, community reading projects, and the many people who work tirelessly to promote literacy. From Ryde to Freshwater, our libraries remain some of the Island’s most valued public spaces – places where children discover their first stories, adults find new interests, and communities come together. The National Year of Reading places particular emphasis on supporting children and young people, helping them build confidence, imagination and essential skills for life. Reading for pleasure is one of the accurate predictors of future success, so we will be sharing practical ideas, local events, and inspiring stories, to help parents, carers, and schools to encourage reading at home.
The IW Observer will also highlight the Island organisations already doing outstanding work, from volunteer‑run book groups, to literacy charities, and school initiatives. By promoting these and providing regular coverage throughout the year, we hope to play our part in helping more Islanders pick up a book – whether it’s a child discovering their first favourite story, or an adult returning to reading after many years. We thought we’d ask a few prominent Islanders what books they are enjoying at the moment.
HM’s Lord-Lieutenant – Susie Sheldon
“I am reading a book called ‘Down the Wild River North’, written by Constance Helmericks. It is a story of how she, and her two teenage daughters aged 11 and 14, spent two summers canoeing down the Peace, Slave and Mackenzie rivers in Canada/Alaska to the Arctic Ocean in 1965. An astonishing story of camping in mud/driving rain/bugs/mosquitoes/rapids and bears-living-off- the-land. Survival.
“At home I have been reading the Narnia books, with my grandchildren ages 7 and 5. Especially The Horse and his Boy.”
High Sheriff – Jacque Gazzard
“I’ve just read Introducing Mrs Collins, by comedian and member of Austentatious Rachel Parris. I am not one for tampering with the classics and so almost missed out on her reimagining of what happens to Charlotte Lucas, from Pride and Prejudice, after she marries Mr Collins. I loved it so much I felt bereft when it was finished and so downloaded the audiobook and listened to it all again!
“In our house we don’t get to read children’s books these days, but I was gripped by ‘Fourth Wing’ by Rebecca Yarros. Definitely a book for older teens, it’s dragons and sexy drama set in a battle-weary imaginary world. If I’d read it at eighteen, Austen might have been too tame to contemplate!”
Joe Robertson – East Wight MP
“I am currently reading Roald Dahl’s The BFG with my children. I haven’t read fiction for years but it is fun starting all over again with some of the books I used to enjoy as a kid. Last week we got inspired to make some Frobscottle and pack a couple of Snozzcumbers for school to celebrate World Book Day. Luckily the Fleshlumpeater was nowhere to be seen!”
Richard Quigley – West Wight MP
“I’m currently reading ‘Anywhere but Here’, by Nicola Kelly. It’s a tough but informative read about our immigration system.
“I’m lucky to be able to read regularly to my grandson. He currently loves Tabby McTat (I know the song by heart) and the Highway Rat, both by Julia Donaldson.
“If I want cheering up, I go back to Spike Milligan’s war memoirs. I must have read them 5 times, but laugh out loud every time.”
