Welcome to Maidenhead's Big Read
We're big fans of reading, there is truly no greater pleasure in life than curling up in a big armchair and getting lost in a good book, magazine or comic.
So you can imagine how ecstatic we are to announce the first ever Maidenhead's Big Read, coinciding with World Book Day in March 2019.

​Maidenhead's Big Read, organised by Maidenhead Community Book Festival, ran from Saturday 2 March to Sunday 17 March 2019 and included a whole host of exciting events and activities including Story Telling with Once Upon a Bus, author and illustrator interactive events and talks in town; drop in book reading groups, reading to/with volunteers events, pop-up book shops and book exchanges in the library, local shops and cafes, and these are all complementary to what our local schools are planning.  All of which were free to attend.
In addition, we also ran competitions for everyone to get involved with, such as the Town Read, organised in partnership with the Library, where people could vote for their favourite book (from a given list of titles).  The Maidenhead Advertiser also sponsored a fact-finding competition. ​In future years, we plan to hold other competitions such as design our Big Read Bunting and design an imaginative artistic Book Stop.
 
We want to get everyone in Maidenhead excited about literature, literacy and creativity whilst giving you the tools to create your futures because we believe that you can live your dreams through the power of reading and that the future is yours to write.

Future Events

We are pleased to confirm that The Big Read will take place from 28th February to 8th March 2020...so put the date in your diary now and check back regularly for updates!

Big Read Inspiration Theatre

Big Read Stop
Bringing bestselling authors, sporting heroes, prominent politicians, influential journalists and stars of the screen to share their stories and lives with the public.

Inspiring young readers

We are proud to be working with a number of local schools to bring reading and books to life, inspiring our young generation.

Several authors are visiting schools to share their passion for writing and read to children and a very special visitor, The Gruffalo, is also going on tour to meet and greet young fans!
Incorporating the bookshop, book swap, reading groups and display areas. A place to relax, unwind and curl up with a book, magazine or comic,  let your imagination run wild! 

The Big Town Read

Vote for the book you’d like to read!  As part of Maidenhead’s Big Read we want to encourage more people to pick up a book and bring the community together.  In partnership with the Library Service we have selected six titles for adults and six titles for children for you to choose from...
Our aim is to encourage adults and children from all backgrounds to read more, own books and visit their local library



​Get involved in The Big Read today....