Take 10 to Read is a national campaign to encourage reading for pleasure and raise awareness of the benefits of reading for our sense of wellbeing and mental health. The campaign takes place on or around World Mental Health Day on 10th October and encourages people of all ages to drop everything and read for 10 minutes. The 2026 #Take10toRead campaign will include an attempt to set a new Guinness World Record™ for the most people reading online in 12 hours as part of the National Year of Reading.

The world record attempt will take place on 8th October between 9.00am and 9.00pm via a series of four pre-recorded events with leading authors and influencers. Each event will be repeated three times over the 12 hour window and includes a dedicated 10-minute reading session during which participants will read together as part of the world record attempt. Events include:

• Ages 5 to 8: A reading of Super Uma by Rashmi Sirdeshpande followed by a draw-along activity with illustrator Nakul P.
• Ages 8 to 12: Frank Cottrell-Boyce will read from The Blockbusters and explore some of the book’s themes.
• Ages 12 to 16: Nathanael Lessore will discuss topics linked to his book What Happens Online, including themes of identity, confidence, family and school life.
• Ages 16+: Infuencers Coco Omer and Zubs, alongside National Year of Reading ambassadors, will discuss their own reading and how it impacts on their emotional wellbeing.

Schools and libraries from all over the world can register to receive a link to their chosen event or events. Participants can read any book, comic, magazine or other reading material or their choice and only need to attend one session to be part of the world record attempt. Further details are available on the NLT’s website.

Cost: Free

About National Literacy Trust: NLT is an independent literacy charity working with schools and communities to give disadvantaged children the literacy skills to succeed in life. The charity runs literacy programmes, CPD training courses for teachers, and provides online resources and tools to its members. It also undertakes research into all aspects of literacy and campaigns to raise awareness of literacy issues.