Book News: Galaxy Quick Reads Release Six New Books

Six exciting new Galaxy Quick Reads titles released on 2nd February.

These books are part of the annual campaign to improve adult literacy.

This is the seventh year Quick Reads has been sponsored by Galaxy and the second year it has been run by the Literary Agency.

One in six adults struggle with reading in the UK. This year, Quick Reads will continue its work to break down the barriers that prevent people from picking up a book.

From a re-imagining of Beauty and The Beast, to a road trip in search of Poldark, the titles include books from Jenny Colgan and a special edition of Feel The Fear and Do it Anyway by Susan Jeffers.
There is also a crime collection featuring Harry Bingham, Clare MacKintosh and Mark Billingham.

The first Quick read is Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway by Susan Jeffers. Released by Ebury, this is a specially adapted book drawing on the landmark self-help book by the late, Susan Jeffers. This is the first time a self-help book has been released in this series and what a great one to kick it off.

Everyone has fears and worries that stop them from progressing and going for the things they want in life. The simple life-changing exercises in this book will teach anyone to turn uncertainty into action.

The second, released by Orion is Dead Simple. This is a collection of short stories from some of the UK’s best crime writers.

Authors featured include Mark Billingham, Clare MacKintosh, James Oswald, Jane Casey, Angela Marsons, Harry Bingham, Antonia Hodgson and CL Taylor.

There are eight stories that will have many twists and turns; a man who attempts to commit the perfect murder, a widow who is about to lose more than her husband and a murderer who, when is he is about to be hanged realises that there could be worse things that happen to him.

Rowan Coleman’s Looking For Captain Poldark (Ebury) will have characters embark on a road trip. Four people, united by their love of Poldark come together to search for their hero.
See if four strangers can find friendship as well as a certain hunk on their way south.

The fabulous Rowan Coleman (who is herself, dyslexic,) said, “I’ve had times in my past where it seemed impossible to have access to the world of words…I want to draw back the curtain for other emerging readers and help them access the many wonderful opportunities that are waiting between the pages of a good book.”

The Other Side of You by Amanda Craig is released by Little Brown and is a re-imagining of Beauty and The Beast. Set in London, the story centres around Will. Will must run or die. Having witnessed a murder, the gang on his estate is after him. Then Will meets Padma. After that, he must decide whether to follow his good or his bad side.

This book draws from Amanda’s conversation with gang members as well as her own experience of fighting a burglar in her own home. Amanda said, “he was someone who had taken a wrong path in life, and I kept wondering what had led to this.”

One False Move is released by Hodder and is by Dreda Say Mitchell. It’s a gritty novel set on Devil’s Estate in London.

Hayley swore that once she got out of prison, she would turn her life around. However, the estate doesn’t make it easy. One false move and her life is over.

Dreda is the author of the Flesh and Blood Trilogy. She grew up on a council estate in London’s East End and discovered her love of book through her local library.

She is passionate about improving the life chances of black and working class children. She’s also working as an Education consultant in prisons and young offender’s institutes.

Finally, but by no means least, is A Very Distant Shore by Jenny Colgan. It’s released by Little Brown.
It’s a romantic novel set on a remote Scottish island. A Syrian refugee goes there to work as a doctor. He is embraced by the local community but can he forget his past?

Jenny is based in Scotland. She’s the author of many bestselling novels including The Little Beach Street Bakery.
When writing this book, Jenny said, “I have a daughter with reading issues, so I understand the frustrations around it a little and I was thrilled to be part of something so positive.”

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.