Libraries see a 263% increase in lending of Reading Well for young people titles

Public Lending Right data, released today, shows that loans of the 35 titles on the Reading Well for young people scheme have quadrupled, compared with the same period in the previous year.

With 1 in 10 young people experiencing mental health issues, it’s not just self-help books that teens are turning to for support with anxiety, depression, eating disorders or other mental health conditions and difficult life experiences. Data has revealed that the most loaned titles tended to be fiction.

The top ten most popular books from the list, according to Public Lending Right data, include fiction titles The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon, I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson, as well as Juno Dawson’s non-fiction title Mind Your Head.

Why reading fiction can improve health and wellbeing

Reading for pleasure has been linked to a reduction in the symptoms of depression and people who read books regularly are on average more satisfied with life, happier, and more likely to feel that the things they do in life are worthwhile.

Reading Well for young people, launched in April 2016, provides 13-18 year olds with 35 books recommended by health professionals and young people with first-hand experience of mental health issues. The books are available to borrow for free from 93% of library authorities in England.

Get involved

See the full Reading Well for young people book list.

Learn more about individual titles with an overview of the books.