Introduction:
SHORT BOOKS AND GREAT STORIES TACKLING THE ADULT LITERACY CRISIS
One in six adults in the UK – approximately 9 million people – find reading difficult, and one in three people do not regularly read for pleasure. Quick Reads, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, plays a vital role in addressing these shocking statistics by inspiring emergent readers, as well as those with little time or who have fallen out of the reading habit, with entertaining and accessible writing from the very best contemporary authors.
OYINKAN BRAITHWAITE: The Baby is Mine (Atlantic)
LOUISE CANDLISH: The Skylight (Simon & Schuster)
KATIE FFORDE: Saving the Day (Arrow)
PETER JAMES: Wish You Were Dead (Macmillan)
CAITLIN MORAN: How to Be a Woman, abridged (Ebury)
Over 5 million Quick Reads have been distributed since the life-changing programme launched in 2006. From 2020 – 2022, the initiative is supported by a philanthropic gift from bestselling author Jojo Moyes. This year, for every book bought until 31 July 2021, another copy will be gifted to help someone discover the joy of reading. ‘Buy one, gift one’ will see thousands of free books given to organisations across the UK to reach less confident readers and those with limited access to books – bring the joy and transformative benefits of reading to new audiences.
Book Synopsis:
They can’t see her, but she can see them…
Simone has a secret. She likes to stand at her bathroom window and spy on the couple downstairs through their kitchen skylight. She knows what they eat for breakfast and who they’ve got over for dinner. She knows what mood they’re in before they even step out the door. There’s nothing wrong with looking, is there?
Until one day Simone sees something through the skylight she is not expecting. Something that upsets her so much she begins to plot a terrible crime…
From the author of Our House, the British Book Awards Crime & Thriller of the Year.
You can now buy all 6 Quick read titles in paperback and ebook for the amazing price of £1. Up until the end of July 2021 every time a book is bought one will be gifted to help more people discover the joy of reading.
Please click on the link below to get your copy or why not visit your local indie bookstore.
My Review:
As most of my friends will tell you I’m a huge advocator of reading. I love discussing and sharing books with people so in my mind the Quick Reads program is an amazing idea, especially as it means I have more people to share my passion with. The main reasons I hear for people not reading are they haven’t got the time or they think they aren’t smart enough, both of which, I feel, are addressed in the Quick Reads selection of books. They are all designed to be easy reads that will appeal to everyone and are all about 100 pages long so can fit into a limited time frame. I chose to review The Skylight as I’m a huge fan of this author so I was intrigued to read a short story from her.
The author does a great job of quickly absorbing the reader into the story and the setting for the book. We are introduced to the interesting main character Simone who seems a bit of an insecure and needy person. My opinion of her changed as the story went on and while I initially felt sorry for her I quickly grew to dislike her. In my opinion none of the characters were very likeable but it was fascinating to learn more about them, especially how they interacted with each other which I thought gave away a lot of their personality.
I must admit that I haven’t read many short stories but I was impressed with how the plot unravelled with the author managing to fit a lot into the pages, including a few flash backs which I thought very clever. The book is gripping from the start and the atmosphere increased until I wasn’t able to put the book down. I found myself both wanting to continue reading as I wanted to find out what happens but also to stop as I was feeling increasingly uneasy about Simone and wasn’t sure I wanted to know what she would do next.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be recommending it to friends. I’ve actually treated myself to the other Quick Read books which I hope to read soon.
Huge thanks to Hannah Bright from Midas publicity for my copy of this book.
About The Author:
Louise Candlish is the Sunday Times bestselling author of fourteen novels. Our House, a #1 bestseller, won the Crime & Thriller Book of the Year at the 2019 British Book Awards, was longlisted for the 2019 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year, and was shortlisted for the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award. It is soon to be a major ITV drama made by Death in Paradise producers Red Planet Pictures. Louise lives in London with her husband and daughter. Visit her at LouiseCandlish.com or connect with her on Twitter @Louise_Candlish.
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