Reading Lessons

Reading Lessons is many books in one: a fresh and frank memoir of almost three decades as a secondary school English teacher, a love letter to literature itself, and a compelling argument for why young people continue to need novels, poems and plays ... At a time when English is under attack as an academic subject, Carol Atherton’s powerful defence of it reminds us what we are in danger of losing.

Robert Douglas-Fairhurst, author of The Turning Point

Generous, humane and constantly surprising. An urgent defence of the power of literature to create empathetic, interrogative citizens

Emma Smith, author of Portable Magic: A History of Books and their Readers

Beautifully written, sensitive and full of warmth ... A vital point of reflection for anyone who has taught, or been taught, English literature ... Thought provoking and illuminating

Jeffrey Boakye

'Essential ... At a time when the importance of the arts in education is being eroded, Reading Lessons makes a powerful case for the study of literature. If you are in the job you are in because you loved literature at school - or even if you didn't love it so much - this book is for you'

Caroline Sanderson, The Bookseller

This exhilarating report from the educational frontline shows how literature can excite – but also perplex – young readers. Indeed, it shows how the excitement and the perplexity often belong together

John Mullan, author of The Artful Dickens

Atherton must be an inspiring teacher if her marvellous book is anything to go by ... Profound and empathetic ... Highly entertaining ... An engrossing book and a testament to a life well lived

The Independent, Books of the Month

Original and clever ... You want to force this book on the educational experts and politicians who are so sure they know how schools should operate. If your children are studying English literature, they should read this. But if you love books, you will want to read it yourself.

The i

Magnificent ... Reading Lessons is enlightening, moving and surprisingly emotional. Filled with humanity and love, this book speaks to the very heart of who we are

My Weekly

She demonstrates how a generous and attentive teacher is able to wrestle meaning and relevance ... Nothing is more valuable than teaching a subject that encourages young minds to push beyond the confines created by the algorithms of social media, which is where her pupils live when they are not underlining bits of text in coloured Biro. Unlike any Stem subject, "doing English" requires young readers to enter imaginatively into the lives of others. And that, for "Miss", remains the greatest transferable skill of all.

Guardian, Book of the Day

Gentle and humane, a tribute to a vocation as much as to a discipline

TLS

A beautiful, thoughtful, vital book about the importance of stories. I loved every page ... Her story is fascinating and moving and one everybody should read, but especially any teacher of English who might be wondering if there’s any point to what they’re doing…there’s every point!

Louise Morrish

For those of us who credit our English teacher for our love of books, this is the perfect read. An exploration of the books taught at school, written by a teacher of 30 years, this is a gorgeous tribute to both teachers and the power of literature.

inews, The 14 most underrated books of 2024

Marvellous…The book is part memoir, part love letter to teaching…and also a profound and empathetic guide to the literature studied in our classrooms, full of shrewd asides and gritty asides from a sensitive reader

The Independent – A bounty of books