The Hon Rod Kemp was Minister for the Arts and Sport from Friday 23 November 2001 to Tuesday 30 January 2007. This site is available for archival purposes only.
Books Alive and the Great Read Guide
The Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, today launched the biggest promotion of books and reading ever staged in Australia.
The Australian Government’s 2005 Books Alive initiative promotes books and reading to all Australians by providing 50 ‘remarkable’ books selected by a team of industry experts placed in the one guide - The Books Alive Great Read Guide.
“Books Alive makes choosing a good book easier for those looking for a new read or those wanting to rediscover the joys of reading,” Senator Kemp said.
“Whether young or old, hopeless romantic or history buff, literary critic or pop fiction fanatic, there is something for everyone in The Books Alive Great Read Guide.”
Launched today and finishing in late August, the Books Alive initiative will see some 2.5 million copies of The Books Alive Great Read Guide distributed across the country.
In addition, a free copy of Matthew Reilly’s Hell Island will be on offer to all those who buy a book from The Books Alive Great Read Guide during the campaign.
Now in its third year, Senator Kemp said more Australian publishers and more Australian authors are involved in The Books Alive Great Read Guide.
“ During the previous two Books Alive campaigns, every one of its titles reached the bestseller lists. With over half of the titles in this year’s Great Read Guide written by Australian authors and with more than 10 Australian publishers represented, it is clear that Books Alive is great news for the Australian book sector,” Senator Kemp said.
“It is great news also for the Australian book reader.”
The Books Alive Great Read Guide is available at bookstores, libraries, cafes and some department stores across the country. For more information about Books Alive visit www.booksalive.com.au.
28 July 2005
Media contact: Michael Christo, 03 9650 7274 or 0409 040276