If you’re someone who wants to get back into reading but can’t face a massive novel, or if you’re just looking for something fun and free to do during your lunch break—this is for you. On 23 April, Waterstones in Bradford is hosting a proper celebration for World Book Night that’s all about making reading easy, fun, and for everyone.
Free books, a famous author, and absolutely no scrolling
You know that feeling when you finally find a book that clicks—the kind that makes you miss your bus stop or skip Netflix? That’s exactly what The Reading Agency’s Quick Reads are made for. These short books are designed to be super approachable. Like, “you could finish one before dinner” approachable.
On Tuesday, 23 April from 11:30 AM, Waterstones Bradford will be giving away 1,000 free Quick Reads. That’s not a typo—1,000 books, no catch. Just turn up early because it’s first come, first served. And let’s be real, free books don’t hang around.
Meet Abir Mukherjee—yes, that Abir Mukherjee
If crime fiction’s your thing, or even if it’s not (yet), you’ll get the chance to hear bestselling author Abir Mukherjee read from A Rising Man, one of the Quick Reads titles. His stories blend British India history with detective drama, so they’re gripping and give you something to chat about over dinner. He’ll be reading live, and there’s something magic about hearing an author tell their own story, right?
Join the read-in: no phones, no pressure—just books
At 12 noon sharp, everyone’s invited to take part in a mass read-in. For half an hour, people all over the shop—sitting on benches, leaning on shelves, standing around awkwardly with a coffee in hand—will just be reading. Any book will do. Doesn’t matter if it’s a thriller, a cookbook, or even the back of a cereal box (okay, maybe not that last one).
No speeches. No filters. No hashtags. Just humans and books. Which, let’s face it, sounds kind of lovely in a world full of notifications and noise.
Why this matters—and why Bradford
It’s easy to forget how powerful reading can be, especially if it’s not already part of your day-to-day. But events like this help people reconnect with books. Or even just remember that reading doesn’t have to mean Shakespeare or huge textbooks—it can be quick, fun, and exactly what you need to escape your own brain for a bit.
Bradford being the host for this makes total sense, too. It’s a city packed with stories—from its people to its history—and now it’s shouting loud and proud about reading.
Here’s what’s happening on 23 April, broken down:
- Free Book Giveaway:
📍 Waterstones Bradford
🕚 From 11:30 AM
🆓 1,000 Quick Reads available (first come, first served) - Meet the Author:
👤 Abir Mukherjee reads from A Rising Man - Mass Read-In:
🕛 12 PM to 12:30 PM
📵 Phones away—books out - Media coverage:
🎥 Cameras will be there, so don’t be shocked if you end up in a newspaper with a book in your hand
Quotation
“Sit, stand, lean – just read! No phones, no distractions—just the power of books.”
Final thoughts
You don’t need to be a bookworm or a library cardholder to take part. You just need to show up. Whether you’re grabbing a free book, catching a reading, or just fancy the quiet buzz of a no-phones reading crowd, World Book Night at Waterstones Bradford is going to be something special.
And hey, even if you only read for 10 minutes—you’re still a reader. That counts.
See you on 23 April. Don’t forget to bring your curiosity.
