Introduction

Abstract

Over the last two decades, the vital importance of reading to human flourishing and whole-life fulfilment has attracted strong and public notice as well as research and practice crossing diverse groups and disciplines—reading charities and arts organisations; psychologists, neurologists and human scientists; literary scholars and writers; medical researchers and professionals. Reading and mental health has thus become a burgeoning field of enquiry, urgently in need of a text which consolidates current thinking and existing knowledge. This volume brings together best practice and best evidence via the diverse and complementary perspectives of practitioners, beneficiaries, interdisciplinary researchers and commissioners.