The Queen's Reading Room

News

7th March 2026

The Queen’s Reading Room celebrates 100 years of Gateshead Central Library

The Queen’s Reading Room talk at Gateshead Library, featuring Molly Ramdsen interviewing Peter James and Richie Campbell [left to right].

Last weekend, The Queen’s Reading Room was delighted to produce a talk with author Peter James and actor Richie Campbell at Gateshead Central Library in Tyne and Wear as part of its 100th anniversary celebration.
The Gateshead Libraries’ event welcomed residents, families, artists and authors for a wonderful array of cultural and creative activities and talks.
On a gloriously sunny Saturday, bestselling crime writer Peter James, known for his much-loved Detective Superintendent Roy Grace series, met with fans and signed copies of his latest book The Hawk is Dead. Fans of ITV’s adaptation of the series Grace queued to meet Richie Campbell, who has been bringing Detective Sergeant Glenn Branson to life since the series began in 2021. Both Peter and Richie spoke to a group of avid readers from our partner, Reading for Wellbeing, an organisation that highlights the emotional, social and community benefits of reading.
The Queen’s Reading Room is on a mission to help everyone make room for reading. We were therefore honoured to join Gateshead Libraries’ celebration: an institution dedicated to putting books at the heart of community life.
With huge thanks to everyone involved, especially Rachel Ridley, Service Manager at Gateshead Central Library, and of course to Peter James and Richie Campbell for their incredible – and at times hilarious – insights into the world of Roy Grace.

3rd February 2026

Judging panel convene to discuss The Queen’s Reading Room Medal nominations

Today a panel of esteemed judges convened in London to choose the winner of the inaugural Queen’s Reading Room Medal from our shortlisted candidates. The Queen’s Reading Room team read each nomination for this award, and selected the shortlist prior to the Judges’ panel. We were so impressed by the quality of nominations received last year, which detailed inspiring stories from reading heroes all around the nation.
The Queen’s Reading Room Medal celebrates individuals who have championed reading, books and literature in communities around the UK. The award has attracted a stellar judging panel consisting of figures from across the publishing industry including Jonathan Douglas (CEO of The National Literacy Trust), Dan Conway (CEO of The Publishers Association), Nels Abbey (Founder of the Black Writers’ Guild), Baroness Gail Rebuck (Chair of Penguin Random House), Alison Tweed (CEO of Book Aid International), Sarah Mears (Programmes Director for Libraries Connected), and Ann Cleeves (author and Founder of Reading for Wellbeing).
All finalists and the overall winner will be notified of the outcome in due course, and the overall winner will then be presented with the inaugural Queen’s Reading Room Medal at a glittering ceremony in London.

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27th January 2026

The Queen’s Reading Room stages ‘The Hamnet Experience’

On Tuesday 27th January, The Queen’s Reading Room staged ‘The Hamnet Experience’ at The May Fair Hotel in London, in partnership with Universal Pictures and Focus Features. The black-tie private screening celebrated Maggie O’Farrell’s award-winning novel and its stunning cinematic adaptation by Academy Award® winning director Chloé Zhao, starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal.
Upon arrival, guests enjoyed a glass of champagne from Corney & Barrow while admiring some of the exquisite costumes from the film ‘Hamnet’ in the company of costume designer Malgosia Turzanska herself, who shared exclusive insights into bringing the world of ‘Hamnet’ to life through her stunning period designs. The evening continued with a very special Q&A on stage, where The Queen’s Reading Room Trustee, Gyles Brandreth, was joined by author Maggie O’Farrell, producer Liza Marshall, set decorator Alice Felton, casting director Nina Gold and cast members including Joe Alwyn, Jacobi Jupe and Olivia Lynes. The conversation was followed by a screening of ‘Hamnet’: guests witnessed Maggie O’Farrell’s exquisite prose transformed into cinematic poetry in this breathtaking adaptation that captures the intimacy, grief, and enduring power of Shakespeare’s untold family story.
Her Majesty Queen Camilla attended the evening and met cast and crew before joining the audience for the film screening, to the delight of all present.
Thank you to everyone who attended and to all our partners for a truly unforgettable evening.

Photos by Ian Jones

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23rd January 2026

The Queen’s Reading Room unveils second pioneering neuroscience study in partnership with The Bentley Foundation

The Queen’s Reading Room has unveiled plans for its second major research project, in partnership with The Bentley Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Bentley Motors, and led by Professor Sam Wass at the University of East London, deepening understanding of how shared reading may transform lives through stress reduction, stronger social bonds, and improved wellbeing.
The laboratory controlled study will explore the physiological and psychological impact of shared reading groups and book clubs, deepening understanding of how reading together may reduce stress, strengthens social bonds, and improves mental health.
Building upon The Queen’s Reading Room’s groundbreaking 2024 primary study, which inferred that just five minutes of reading can reduce stress by nearly 20%, this second phase of research will employ rigorous scientific methodology to examine the transformative effects of reading within group settings and book clubs.