As we say farewell to June – which granted sporadic sunshine among sometimes heavy showers – you may be looking forward to a long, hot summer getaway. The luckiest among you may already have jetted off to sunnier climes and be reading this beneath a shady parasol on a deeply cushioned sun lounger.
For booklovers, summer holidays present the ideal opportunity to laze the days away soaking up the rays, topping up your vitamin D levels, and reading multiple unputdownable books back-to-back.
More than half of UK adults are regular readers
According to research from the Reading Agency, 53% of UK adults consider themselves regular readers. Meanwhile, 61% of people who used to read regularly and have allowed the habit to lapse say there are too many distractions preventing them from focusing on a full-length book.
Whether you’re an avid reader or would like to reestablish a lapsed reading habit, this summer is a perfect time to find a page-turner you love.
Reading for pleasure is good for overall health and wellbeing
Even if you only manage to find 30 minutes of peace and quiet to read before you go to sleep each night, reading for pleasure every day could help to:
- Improve your sleep
- Reduce your stress levels
- Decrease the risk of dementia
- Increase empathy and strengthen relationships with others.
If you prefer to measure the true beneficial value through data, the Reading Agency reports that: “Compared to non-readers, regular readers are 86% more likely to report feeling a sense of belonging to their community, 58% more likely to report feeling generally happy, 51% more likely to report finding it easy to relax and 45% more likely to report sleeping well.”
Independent bookshops you’ll want to visit time and time again
The Book Shop Leek
A gem of a bookshop, and a great excuse for a drive and a spot of lunch.
This cute independent shop has regular offers and has recently started featuring weekly book reviews on Instagram – ideal if you’re always on the lookout for fresh reading material.
With a wide range of fiction, as well as local history books, bird books, walking guides, and OS maps, it’s ideally located for a day out or a stop-off during a weekend getaway.
If you’re trying to track down a hard-to-find title or simply love hunting for book treasure, plan ahead to visit the warehouse, which houses around 15,000 second-hand books. Browse with zero commitment – but be sure to give a day or two’s notice before you rock up.
To find out more, visit the website for offers and news or follow @thebookshopleek on Instagram to keep up to date with the weekly reviews.
Nantwich Bookshop and Coffee Shop
In an era where many independent bookshops have struggled to survive, this well-known and highly regarded store has been around for more than two decades.
The shop is just a 30-second stroll from our Nantwich agency office, and we pop in regularly for a browse, a coffee, and the occasional sweet treat. We can also vouch for the all-day breakfast, jacket potatoes, and lip-smacking selection of toasties.
Whether you work up an appetite browsing the shelves or need to refuel partway through a big book-shopping spree, there’s no better spot to stock your shelves or find fresh inspiration.
Find out more on the website or use the link to order for delivery and support this fabulous local store.
Book, Bean, & Ice Cream, Kirkham
This busy, friendly independent bookshop, nestled on Kirkham’s high street, is a gem. And with 270 Google reviews and an overall score of 4.7 stars, we’re not the only ones who love this thriving independent bookshop.
While the homemade cakes and ice cream are firm favourites, the thoughtfully curated selection of books provides something for every taste.
Presided over by Elaine Silverwood and her fabulous staff, the bookshop hosts regular author events and book signings – attracting children, families, and customers from far and wide. More often than not, events take place in schools and are so popular tickets sell out fast – despite large venues!
Find out more through the website or join their 3,400 Facebook followers to stay up to date with all the goings-on.
Chapters Book Bar, Chester
This lovely independent bookshop and wine bar is the stuff of dreams. Founded by best friends Megan Nicolaides and Megan Yapp, the delightful store opened in March 2026, and customers are invited to browse the shelves and enjoy a drink from 10 am every day.
Elegant and welcoming, the space provides a warm, intimate atmosphere, encouraging customers to relax and stay a while.
Along with a carefully curated selection of fiction and non-fiction titles, the indie store serves wine, coffee, non-alcoholic drinks, and snacks.
Speaking about their venture together, the two Megans said: “Think of us as your book-loving best friends, always hunting for the stories, moments, and experiences that might just make your day. If you leave feeling relaxed, inspired, or excited to come back, then we’ve done what we set out to do.”
So, whether you’re an avid reader or picking up your first book in a while, you’re sure to discover something exciting to keep you turning the pages.
Find out more on Chapters’ website or keep up with the latest news on Instagram and get ready to fall in love with reading – again and again.
Great summer reads to pack in your case or load on your Kindle
Returning to research from the Reading Agency, 25% of non-regular readers said they would read more if they received recommendations from friends and family.
So, here’s a selection of brilliant reads to look out for this summer…
