First NZ Book Month launched

The first-ever Book Month has beeenlaunched in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Project director Phil Twyford said people were being asked to bring their favourite New Zealand book to huge bookcases in each city.

The books will be donated to the Books in Homes programme, which will distribute them to needy children.

Mr Twyford said the aim of Book Month was to showcase the diversity of New Zealand books and to encourage more people to write.

He said a lot had changed since the only good kiwi books were the Edmonds Cookery Book or Barry Crump's work.

Mr Twyford said activities were planned in virtually every town and city.

- NEWSTALK ZB