Crime
writers Leye Adenle and Louise Jensen
are 2026 Quick Reads authors.
The Reading Agency is gifting thousands of Quick Reads books on World Book Night (23 April) during the National Year of Reading.
Six new Quick Reads titles, spanning crime, romance and contemporary fiction, are published especially for the national charity’s celebration of reading, World Book Night. Two of the six are the crime authors Leye Adenle and Louise Jensen.
On World Book Night, the UK is encouraged to host book themed parties, book swaps, as well as dedicate time to read in a national #ReadingHour from 7-8pm.
The Reading Agency is gifting over 35,000 Quick Reads distributed free of charge, supported by publishers, to libraries, charities, and in community settings. The Quick Reads books will also be available in supermarkets and retailers for just £1, and available to borrow in public libraries.
Leye Adenle is a Nigerian-born crime thriller author, known for his gripping and suspenseful stories that explore the darker side of human nature. His debut novel, Easy Motion Tourist, won the prestigious Prix Marianne in France in 2016.
With a growing reputation as one of the most exciting voices in contemporary crime fiction, Adenle's work has been praised for its sharp prose, memorable characters, and unflinching portrayal of the darker side of human nature.
Adenle is a frequent speaker on issues related to African literature and culture, and has given talks at universities and literary festivals around the world. He is also an advocate for gender equality, and his writing often explores the experiences of women in Nigerian society.
Leye Adenle said: “Everything about Quick Reads is the reason I write. Books have the magical power to create empathy, deepen understanding, broaden horizons, and even shape worldviews. They have changed the world, one mind at a time. What an immense honour to be part of this year’s Quick Reads campaign and to create art for such an important cause.”
His Quick Reads, Cell One follows the story of rookie cop, Bobby Fatokun, who has left his life in London for the hustle of Nigeria’s capital, Lagos. When his boss, Superintendent Adams is kidnapped, it triggers a race to find him as his captors start a countdown to his live execution. Without knowing who he can trust, Bobby will have to rely on his instincts alone to find the truth before time runs out.
Louise Jensen’s Quick Reads is the psychological thriller, The Woman Next Door.
Louise has sold over a million copies of her international bestselling psychological thrillers, and they have been translated into twenty-five languages. Louise has been nominated for multiple awards including Goodreads Debut Author of the Year, The Guardian's 'Not The Booker Prize', and she has also been shortlisted for two CWA Dagger awards. Louise lived in Northamptonshire.
As short,
affordable, and carefully crafted books, Quick Reads help to give readers
confidence and rediscover a joy of reading.
Louise Jensen said: “When The Reading Agency asked me to write a Quick Reads novella it was an immediate yes. Both my husband Tim and I were so excited that after ten years of me writing books, this would be the first one he could read. Tim is dyslexic and although he has been so supportive of my career neither of us thought he’d ever read anything longer than one of the short stories I write for magazines. Until I wrote The Woman Next Door, that is.
“Tim read, and loved, the very first draft and it was such a joy to hear his views on the characters and plot. Since then, we’ve bought other Quick Reads books for him to enjoy and because of these, he’s developed a real love of reading. It really is such a wonderful campaign and one that I’m proud to be part of. “
The Woman Next Door tells the story of two neighbours, two secrets, and one chance at survival. Running from her past, Meena hopes to find peace in her new home. But her neighbour, Ada, is a mystery. While Meena and Ada are watching each other, someone is watching them. With danger closing in, they must rely on one another to survive, but when both are lying, trust becomes the deadliest weapon. What secrets lie next door?
Quick Reads helps adults overcome barriers to reading by providing short, accessible books by leading authors. Unlike other short-form fiction, Quick Reads go through a rigorous review process to ensure accessibility – including testing for readability, concentration, and suitability for those rebuilding reading confidence.
Karen Napier, CEO, The Reading Agency, said: “Quick Reads are more than short books – they’re stepping stones back into reading that are designed to fit modern life. Literally turning a page can change your life – improving wellbeing, focus, and even life satisfaction. The National Year of Reading is the perfect moment to make reading part of everyday life again.”
The
full list of 2026’s Quick Reads:
Rachel Hore – The Girl in the Picture (Simon &
Schuster)
Leye Adenle – Cell
One (Simon & Schuster)
Rosie Goodwin – Sweet
Charity (Bonnier Books UK)
Louise Jensen – The
Woman Next Door (HQ, HarperCollins)
Derek Owusu – Hunger
Pains (Merky Books, Penguin Random House)
Carmel Harrington – The Last Bench (Headline, Hachette)
Findings from The Reading Agency’s State of the Nation’s Adult Reading 2025 report show:
Only half
of UK adults (53%) describe themselves as regular readers – down from 58% in
2015.
Nearly
half (46%) struggle to focus on reading due to distractions, rising to 55%
among 16–24-year-olds.
Almost
half of under-44s now read “on the go” while commuting, exercising or doing
chores.
Three in
five adults (nearly 33 million) say the cost-of-living crisis leaves them with
less time and money for leisure.
2026 marks
20 years of the life-changing Quick Reads initiative.
Throughout
2026, to mark its 20th anniversary, The Reading Agency aims to gift up to one
million Quick Reads to communities across the UK.
Since the
programme launched in 2006, Quick Reads has collaborated with over 30
publishers to create and distribute 5.4 million copies with over 6.2 million
library loans.
The books
can be ordered online from The Reading Agency.
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