Ferryside in Carmarthenshire, Llanybydder in Carmarthenshire, and Mayals in Swansea are among just seven locations in Wales chosen from more than 2,000 public nominations for the community book‑sharing boxes.
The initiative, run in partnership with US non‑profit Little Free Library, will see 90 of the distinctive Penguin‑branded boxes installed across the UK during September. Each will operate on a simple “give a book, take a book” basis, with a local volunteer steward looking after the stock.
(Image: Matt Alexander/PA Media Assignments)
Local sites chosen
In Ferryside, the Little Book Stop will be based at the village’s independent lifeboat station, which has been run entirely by volunteers since 1835.
Llanybydder’s book stop will be installed at the bandstand on Station Terrace, while in Mayals the box will be located on Mayals Road.
Each stop will launch with a curated selection of children’s and adult titles from Penguin’s 90‑year history, including The Boy, The Mole, The Fox & The Horse by Charlie Mackesy, The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman, Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo, Look Up! by Nathan Bryon & Dapo Adeola, and The Story of Tracy Beaker by Jacqueline Wilson.
‘Celebrating reading and community’
Penguin’s Chief Brand Officer Rebecca Sinclair said: “Books and reading are a great way to build connections and create communities, and the sheer amount of interest we received shows just how much people are looking for this. We’re excited to see the impact the Little Book Stops have on the local communities selected.”
Little Free Library CEO Daniel Gumnit said the boxes would “spark curiosity, bring neighbours together, and make books more accessible in the communities where they’re needed most.”
The full list of UK locations will be revealed throughout September on Penguin’s website.
