Voices under the Sun 陽光下的聲音

Warm Winter Read (#WarmWinterRead) is a campaign by Public Libraries Victoria, to encourage readers aged 16+ across the State to develop long-lasting reading habits. Whether it’s books, magazines, ebooks, or eAudiobooks – reading is highly beneficial for our physical and mental wellbeing.

As Warm Winter Read explains: “Engaging in reading for pleasure can help reduce depression, loneliness, and dementia, while enhancing empathy, self-esteem, and cultural awareness.” Your Library Ltd (formerly Eastern Regional Libraries) says it even better: “Reading is vital to a healthier, happier, more connected nation.”

The campaign helps readers track the days that they read over June, July and August 2024. By registering with Warm Winter Rea (https://vic.readbooks.com.au/wwr), readers can create their own account by selecting their local library service. They are then challenged to read for at least 60 days – whether it is five minutes or five hours each day.

Readers are further challenged to complete six activities during the three-month period. These are not compulsory – but you can receive reward points and badges that eventually give you a chance to win some bookish prizes.

For example, readers can create a cosy reading spot, “complete with blankets, pillows, and your favourite hot beverage”. They can start reading a new series of books OR the next book in a series. They can also get out and about with an audiobook, “on your commute to work, walking the dog, or while completing household chores”.

The other challenges include “Literary pair or share” (whip up a recipe from the pages of a book or pair a meal or drink with your latest read), “Discover worlds” (read a title that transports your mind), and “Recommend or review a title”.

Indeed, as of the writing of this article, readers on Warm Winter Read have already reviewed books such as Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, Me Before You by Jojo Moyes, Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick, and A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J Maas.

For those looking for reading inspirations, the campaign engaged eight Australian authors as ambassadors with fantastic book recommendations. Their own latest titles are also worth reading.

These authors are: Pip Williams for the theme of “Time & Place”, Garry Disher for “Crime Fiction”, Shelly Parker-Chan for “Other Worlds”, Matt Preston for “Foodies”, Melissa Lucashenko for “Literary Fiction”, Alison Goodman for “Cosy Reads”, Ahona Guha for “Balance”, and Michael Earp for “Young Adults”.

This reviewer finds it easy to participate in Warm Winter Read. While some may think the campaign website a bit basic, it’s an excellent start, and there’s something special about sharing a space online with fellow bookworms across Victoria.

As British author Joanna Cannon said via The Guardian: “The human brain loves a game. Scratch the surface and you’ll find that most people are very goal-focused, because reaching a specific target releases a healthy dollop of dopamine into our system and we start to become very pleased with ourselves.”

Well, if it can encourage more people to start reading, then why not?

Note: This article was published under the title “Promoting a reading habit” by Ranges Trader Star Mail, June 18, 2024, P.15.

Also Note: You can follow this reviewer’s reading progress and related literary musings via X (@ChristineSun1) and/or Instagram (@christineyunnyusun).