The nation’s largest annual promotion of books and reading promises Australians an experience they won’t be able to put down.

Minister for the Arts The Hon Peter Garrett AM today announced the launch of Books Alive 2008, a month-long campaign featuring a host of activities to tempt people to pick up a book.

Books Alive aims to introduce all Australians to the joys of reading, and includes a list of recommended books, a giveaway feature title, promotions, advertising and author tours throughout August.

‘There’s no better time to start reading than during Books Alive. I encourage everyone to pick up a copy of the Books Alive guide, find a quiet spot, and discover the joys of reading,’ Minister Garrett said.

‘There are 50 books to choose from and there really is something for everyone. The books have been hand-picked by book-lovers for their quality, broad appeal and range of interests. The majority of books on the list are by Australian authors so it’s also a good opportunity to support our home grown writers.’

Research commissioned for Books Alive 2008 has found that Australia is already a nation of book lovers, with around 92 percent of people reading for pleasure in the past month and 63 percent going into a bookshop.

‘While it’s great to see so many Australians love their books, there are many people who by lack of opportunity or inclination we’d like to invite to pick up a book over the next month,’ said Books Alive chair Sandra Yates AO.

Books Alive features several exciting initiatives throughout August:

• More than 8.5 million Australians will read about 50 Books You Can’t Put Down through inserts in all
  News Ltd Sunday newspapers and a further 500,000 copies of the guide will be distributed through
  booksellers.
• More than 200,000 copies of Michael Robotham’s new adult crime thriller Bombproof will be given
  away with the purchase of any one of the 50 reads;
• National author tours taking in metropolitan and regional centres by Michael Robotham and other
  Books Alive authors and a range of other bookseller initiatives; and
• Nationwide advertising campaigns will promote Books Alive 2008.

Books Alive is an Australian Government initiative developed through the Australia Council for the Arts and supported by the local book industry. Books Alive will run from Sunday 27 July to Sunday 31 August.

Media enquiries – Andrew Parker 0402 936 466 or a.parker@creative.gov.au

Related links

Books Alive 2008 – reading research