Leisure reading

Bogged down with recommended texts? Fancy something a little lighter? Take a look at the University's opportunities for reading for pleasure.

Leisure reading collection

Come and browse our printed Leisure Reading Collection on level 4 of the Pilkington Library. Situated alongside the comfortable seating area, you can choose from a broad range of genres including contemporary fiction, graphic novels, biography, crime, fantasy, horror, and science fiction. We have sought to broaden the collection recently to ensure inclusivity and representation of the broad range of voices across campus, to better represent the identities and experiences of our University membership. As such, you will find many titles written by authors of under-represented or marginalised groups.

In the London Library there is also a selection of non-fiction books  for things like Guides to London.

Four items at a time can be borrowed for a period of four weeks. We don't want to interrupt your reading enjoyment so these books cannot be recalled by other users. However, reservations may be placed.

If English is your second language and you'd like to improve your English language skills by reading for pleasure, try our Graded Readers which are available in graded language stages and stocked at 428.64. You might also like to take a look at our stock of Manga graphic novels.

Libby app

Widely used by public libraries, the University Library now has a subscription to Libby.  This service enables us to support the wellbeing of all our users by providing access to a wide range of leisure reading, wellbeing, and audiobook titles.  Content includes ebooks, emagazines, and much more.  This service is available to everyone on both the Loughborough and London campuses.

Simply download the Libby app, sign in and get started!

The app can be downloaded from the app store, or from a link on the Libby homepage. You can also access Libby on your computer's web browser. If you need any support, then please contact library@lboro.ac.uk and we will be happy to help.

 

Library Book Club

If you like to discuss your leisure reading with other people, why not come along to our thriving Library Book Club? This is a hybrid club for all members of the University so you can choose to come in-person to the Library or join the discussion online. Our reading focus is on diverse topics that are both inclusive and engaging. Register your interest here or email library@lboro.ac.uk for more information.

Did you know?

Reading is good for us! As well as the recognised mental health benefits - 'Reading for as little as 6 minutes is sufficient to reduce stress levels by 60%'(1) - there is a proven link between how often we read for pleasure and how well we do academically - 'Frequency of reading correlates strongly with academic achievement.'(2)

So, nourish your wellbeing and up your academic game with a good book - another reason to reach for that novel you've been meaning to read for ages!

 

1). Lewis, D. (2009), Galaxy Stress Research. Mindlab International, Sussex University. Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/5070874/Reading-can-help-reduce-stress.html (Accessed: 6 August 2024).

2).National Endowment for the Arts (2007) To read or not to read: a question of national consequence.Research report 47. Available at: https://www.arts.gov/impact/research/publications/read-or-not-read-question-national-consequence (Accessed: 6 August 2024).

Kanopy

Kanopy is a streaming platform which provides Loughborough staff and students with access to films, TV shows, and documentaries. 

Fulfilling both educational and leisure needs, the vast collection includes many canonical and independent films as well as thought-provoking documentaries. 

Kanopy can be viewed on your computer, TV, or mobile device with apps on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, Samsung TV, and Amazon Fire Tablet, all you need is your Loughborough university credentials to sign in.