The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival has today announced the re-launch of The Big Read, sparking a three-month campaign ahead of the Festival in October (10-19 October).
After a decade-long hiatus, The Big Read will return to The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival this autumn, bringing readers together through the shared experience of reading a compelling novel by an exciting debut author.
Ahead of the Festival’s full programme announcement next month Wednesday 13 August, The Big Read announcement provides audiences with a glimpse into what to expect from the 2025 programme, with a particular emphasis on celebrating and nurturing new and talented voices through its extensive ticketed and free programme, including stars from stage and screen alongside up-and-coming writers, poets and thinkers.
For its 2025 relaunch, the Festival will spotlight British-Cambodian writer Kaliane Bradley’s The Ministry of Time –the #1 bestselling debut novel of 2024 – a gripping, genre-defying tale that blends history, science fiction and romance to invite readers to consider what it means to re-write history and fall in love while doing it. Bradley will be making an appearance at the Festival in October to celebrate The Big Read and the future of literary talent more widely.
“I’m incredibly honoured that The Ministry of Time has been chosen for the official re-launch of The Big Read,” says author, Kaliane Bradley. “The idea of thousands of people coming together to share a story means so much to me as an author. This book was born out of questions about home, history and who we become when the past walks into our present. To see it become part of a community reading journey feels deeply fitting and I’m excited to be part of the conversations it sparks.”
The Big Read is a community-wide celebration and campaign centred around reading for pleasure, joy and connection. The campaign launch will see readers invited to engage with The Ministry of Time through book clubs, giveaways, surprise book drops in Cheltenham and beyond in the lead-up to the Festival.
First launched in 2015, The Big Read has a rich legacy of uniting Festival audiences around landmark works of literature. Its 2025 revival represents a fresh chapter and commitment to supporting debut authors, strengthening community connections and celebrating the transformative power of reading.
Nicola Tuxworth, Head of Programming at The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival, said: “We are thrilled to bring The Big Read back in 2025 and even more excited to spotlight a brilliant new voice in British fiction. Kaliane Bradley’s debut offers everything we want in The Big Read: ambition, originality and deep emotional resonance. This project is about joy, discovery and reading together and we can’t wait for people to get involved.”
As well as being this year’s Big Read pick, Kaliane Bradley will appear at The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival when it returns 10-19 October. The full programme will be announced on Wednesday 13 August.
Click this link for more information
https://www.cheltenhamfestivals.org/news/the-big-read-2025
- Follow @cheltfestivals on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and #CheltLitFest for further updates
- Sign up for e-news alerts at www.cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature
