I have always enjoyed reading from a young age, and try to read as many books as I can. Generally, I prefer to read books in braille rather than audio. I like to imagine the characters in my head and struggle to do this with audio books if it’s not a good reader.

I choose not to use E-books, because I find them difficult to download and don’t want to pay for them. However, if you are a fan of audio books, the RNIB have a free Talking Books service. This gives you access to over sixty thousand audio books read by a mixture of professional actors and volunteers. You can choose to receive the talking books on either Daisy CD or USB stick.

I receive my books from the RNIB Library Service, which is free to join and they send books directly to your door. You can have up to six books at any one time, though this number increases to 14 if you are studying. If there are specific books you like to read, you can create a request list on the library website where you can select your favourites, and add and remove books as you wish. Although I do have a request list, I prefer to get a surprise every time I receive a book as this makes it more exciting. I am a wide and avid reader and read any book they send me, even ones I wouldn’t usually choose. I feel it is important to do this because it takes me out of my comfort zone and forces me to read a genre I wouldn’t normally consider.

My Favourites

My favourite author is Jacqueline Wilson and I have read almost all of her books. Although she is a children’s writer, I like the subjects that she writes about which involve strong, feisty girls going through difficult family experiences such as divorce or grief. I also enjoy books that are set in Cornwall by authors such as Helen Dunmore and Daphne Du Maurier. My favourite genre I like to read is teenage fiction. I love the Noughts And Crosses trilogy by Malorie Blackman. At the time of writing this article I’ve just started the last book in the series. I also love books that are set in Ireland by authors such as Cecelia Ahern and Siobhan Dowd. The length of time it takes me to read a book can vary from a few days to several weeks, depending how much I’m enjoying it. I read twice a day, when I wake up in the morning and before I go to bed at night. I find it’s a fantastic way to relax and escape from the world for a while.

Are there any particular reasons you enjoy reading? Who are your favourite authors and genres? Please feel free to share them! I hope this article has given you some great inspiration as well as recommendations for your next good read!

Resources

Visit the RNIB website to find out more about the Talking Book Service and Braille Library

Visit our Leisure Section to find out about accessible books and reading and