What happens when a teenager finishes a great book? If they’re lucky, they find another. But for too many, that’s where the story ends. They hit a wall. In fact, when we surveyed more than 1,000 students aged 13–16* about their reading habits, "I can’t find a book I like" was one of the biggest barriers to reading.
It’s not a capability issue. Students are confident readers (scoring themselves an average of 3.5 out of 5). It’s a connection issue.
Earlier this year, we launched This is Lit, a new book club designed to celebrate the best of 21st-century literature during The National Year of Reading 2026. Alongside the launch, we explored what makes today's teenagers tick when it comes to books. What we found provides a different perspective on how we think about student disengagement.