• To mark the National Year of Reading, the National Literacy Trust and the British Council are teaming up to set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for ‘The most people reading together online over 12 hours’ on 8 October
• The new record will highlight the wellbeing benefits of reading in the run up to World Mental Health Day
• A host of National Year of Reading ambassadors including Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Nathanael Lessore, David Larbi, Nadia Shireen, Ben Mercer, Alice Loxton and T.J. Power to take part
• People wanting to get involved can sign up now
Children, young people and adults around the world are being invited to pause for 10 minutes and read together to experience the wellbeing benefits of reading for a brand-new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title taking place in the lead up to World Mental Health Day (10 October).
The new record for the ‘most people reading together online over 12 hours’ will be held on 8 October where schools, families and people in workplaces, libraries and community settings will be invited to take part in online events designed for different age groups: 5-8 years, 8-12 years, 12-16 years and 16+.
Each event will feature a special author or guest, alongside ten minutes of dedicated reading time, and the event for adults (suitable for ages 16+) will be hosted by BookTok personalities Coco Omer and Zubs J Malik with contributions from National Year of Reading ambassadors. Registration is now open, so people can sign up and get involved.
This marks a collaboration between The National Literacy Trust and the British Council in the National Year of Reading 2026.
Author, screen writer and National Year of Reading Ambassador Frank Cottrell-Boyce said:
“What a treat it is to be part of this record attempt. Stories belong to the whole world – all our stories are shared, and that’s a wonderful thing.
“Some of the most important reading experiences of my life have been when someone else was reading to me – my dad, a teacher and, more recently, my own children.
“I’m honoured to be able to join in taking ten minutes to slow down, share a story and remind ourselves just how brilliant reading together can be.”
The new record attempt coincides with the National Literacy Trust’s annual #Take10toRead campaign which aims to make reading an accessible part of everyday life, while highlighting the opportunities reading can provide for relaxation, reflection, creativity, connection and exploring different perspectives.
The partnership with the British Council offers the opportunity to reach up to 700 million people across 150 countries around the world through its culture and educational networks, making the record attempt truly global.
Fiona Iglesias, Head of Schools at the British Council, said:
“The British Council is proud to be partnering with the National Literacy Trust as part of the National Year of Reading on this brand-new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title.
“By bringing together young people, educators, libraries and communities in a shared reading experience, we are celebrating the power of stories to unite people across borders.
“Reading has the power to inspire imagination, spark curiosity, broaden horizons and build understanding across countries and cultures.
“As an organisation committed to supporting peace and prosperity through cultural relations and educational opportunities, we are delighted to play a part in an initiative that brings people together through a shared love of reading and celebrates its ability to connect communities around the world.”
David Hayman, Director of The National Year of Reading 2026, said:
“We’re delighted to be partnering with the British Council on this exciting GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title attempt during the National Year of Reading to take the National Literacy Trust’s Take 10 to Read campaign global. Take 10 to Read highlights the wellbeing benefits of reading and encourages people of all ages to take just 10
minutes to read in the run-up to and around World Mental Health Day.
“Together, we’ll create a shared reading moment that transcends borders and demonstrate the power of reading to bring people together, support wellbeing and inspire a lifelong love of reading. In the National Year of Reading, the message is simple: whatever you’re into, take 10 to read into it.”