Premier League stars reveal their favourite books

Frank Lampard chose a book on Abraham Lincoln's political genius. Credit: Premier League

A footballer from every top flight club has selected their favourite books as part of an initiative from The National Literacy Trust and Premier League.

A host of sport biographies, Roald Dahl novels and even a book on the "political genius" of Abraham Lincoln were selected by 20 professional footballers.

The players' book selections are part of Reading Stars, a programme which uses children's passion for football to motivate them to enjoy reading and improve their reading level.

Chelsea's Frank Lampard, who has his own series of children's football books, said:

Below is a list of players and their favourite children and adult books:

Arsenal - Wojciech Szczesny

  • Children's book: The Glass Mountain and other Polish Fairy Tales by Elsie Byrde

  • Adult's book: How Not to Be a Professional Footballer by Paul Merson

Aston Villa - Jed Steer

  • Children's book: The Hobbit by JRR Tolkein

  • Adult's book: One Shot by Lee Child

Cardiff City - Andrew Taylor

  • Children's book: Roy of the Rovers: The Unauthorised Biography by Mick Collins

  • Adult's book: Craig Bellamy: GoodFella by Craig Bellamy

Chelsea - Frank Lampard

  • Children's book: Ratburger by David Walliams

  • Adult's book: Team of Rivals: Lincoln Film Tie-in Edition: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Kearns Goodwin

Crystal Palace - Aaron Wilbraham

  • Children's book: Alien Alby by Kaye Umansky

  • Adult's book: Gazza: My Story by Paul Gascoigne

Everton - Steven Naismith

Steven Naismith chose a Harry Potter book. Credit: Premier League

  • Children's book: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by JK Rowling

  • Adult's book: Gone for Good by Harlan Coben

Fulham - Dan Burn

  • Children's book: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

  • Adult's book: Angels and Demons by Dan Brown

Hull City - Liam Rosenior

  • Children's book: Oxford Junior History: Tudors and Stuarts by R.E.C Burrell

  • Adult's book: Pep Guardiola: Another Way of Winning: The Biography by Guillem Balague

Liverpool - Raheem Sterling

Raheem Sterling chose Zlatan Ibrahimovic's book. Credit: Premier League

  • Children's book: Holes by Louis Sachar

  • Adult's book: I am Zlatan Ibrahimovic by Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Man City - Joleon Lescott

  • Children's book: Funnybones by Janet & Allan Ahlberg

  • Adult's book: Ronaldo: The Journey of a Genius by James Mosley

Man Utd - Ashley Young

Ashley Young chose a book by tennis star Andre Agassi. Credit: Premier League

  • Children's book: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

  • Adult's book: Open by Agassi

Newcastle United - Sammy Ameobi

  • Children's book: The BFG by Roald Dahl

  • Adult's book: Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien

Norwich City - Russ Martin

  • Children's book: James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

  • Adult's book: The Damned United by David Peace

Southampton - James Ward-Prowse

  • Children's book: James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

  • Adult's book: David Beckham by David Beckham

Stoke City - Charlie Adam

  • Children's book: The Gruffalo's Child by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

  • Adult's book: My autobiography by Alex Ferguson

Sunderland - John O'Shea

John O'Shea was one of many footballers who chose a Roald Dahl book. Credit: Premier League

  • Children's book: Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl

  • Adult's book: Sycamore Row by John Grisham

Swansea City - Nathan Dyer

  • Children's book: The Twits by Roald Dahl

  • Adult's book: My Premier League Diary by Ashley Williams

Tottenham Hotspur - Jan Vertonghen

Jan Vertonghen said he was a Dan Brown fan. Credit: Premier League

  • Children's book: Matilda by Roald Dahl

  • Adult's book: Inferno by Dan Brown

West Bromwich Albion - Jonas Olsson

  • Children's book: Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren

  • Adult's book: Bob Dylan, Chronicles, Volume One (first part of his memoirs)

West Ham United - Joey O'Brien

  • Children's book: The Cry of the Wolf by Melvin Burgess

  • Adult's book: Engage: The Fall and Rise of Matt Hampson by Paul Kimmage

Click here to find out more about Premier League Reading Stars