Reading Lessons by Carol Atherton

Pre-order: Published 4/4/24

Bookseller Review by Kath:

This is a joy to read. Everyone interested in why we read and everyone who teaches English literature needs a copy of this. It validates the value of books. Atherton, a teacher of over 25 years, shines a brilliant light on secondary set texts and how she believes they encourage empathy, insight, independence of thought, awareness of others, the broadening of horizons and the use of the imagination to think what must it be like to live in another’s shoes. Students need all of these qualities to step out into the world beyond education. They need excellent teachers with the time and passion of Atherton,who has clearly inspired all whom she teaches. Today, the focus is evermore on STEM subjects. Read this and be reminded why deep reading, dissection and discussion of a book, opens the mind and at whatever age, this is a book for all of us. Atherton sensitively takes us on her personal journey to books, to Oxford, to teaching and to those books she has read, will read again and what these books offer her pupils, as well as herself. Prose, poetry, plays – they are all here – illuminated by a teacher who so clearly demonstrates the value in teaching literature.