About

First Choice Books is a unique free online searchable database that contains books that are appropriate for work with adult literacy learners (Entry Level 3 – Level 2). The database holds a combination of mainstream titles and titles specifically written for emergent readers (adults who can read but who have yet to build reading stamina and experience) - such as Quick Reads, New Island, Sandstone and Barrington Stoke as well as audio titles from WF Howes.

First Choice Books supports work on the Six Book Challenge and the Vital Link programme for libraries and literacy. First Choice Books is managed by The Reading Agency.

What types of books are on First Choice Books?
There’s everything from love and relationships to science fiction and from sport to fun and humour. You’ll find fiction, non-fiction, poetry, short stories and graphic novels as well as children’s titles (ideal if you are working with families).

Are the books assessed?
Yes all the books on the database have been assessed for their accessibility using criteria developed by The Vital Link. To find out more about the criteria and how you can add a title to First Choice Books go to Found a new book?

What you can do on First Choice Books:
Adult literacy learners can:

• Use Quick Search to find titles they want to read
• Do a rating and/or add a comment on a title they have read
• See what other people are saying about the books

Librarians and learning providers can:

• Use Advanced Search to find titles by readability level, type and/or category
• Find newly added titles to the database
• Print off booklists
• See the criteria for individual titles
• Add a title that you think is appropriate for adult literacy learners

For more information contact us.