Australian Matthew Reilly’s book Hell Island, which was specially commissioned by Books Alive, has been selected for the UK’s World Book Day 2006.

‘Hell Island played a major role in the success of this year’s Books Alive campaign,’ said Books Alive chair Sandra Yates.

‘Over 200,000 copies were given away during August 2005, and Matthew travelled tirelessly during the month promoting the initiative.

‘We were very pleased with Matthew’s contribution to Books Alive, and delighted to see this talented young Australian being further recognised internationally.’

In 2006 the UK’s World Book Day launches a publishing initiative called Quick Reads aimed at increasing the number of adult book readers.

A star line-up of 12 authors – including Marian Keyes, Ruth Rendell, Maeve Binchy, Joanna Trollope and Matthew Reilly – have each written a short novel for publication March 2006.

The essence of the new program is to reach out to the UK’s 12 million ‘forgotten readers’.

‘The Quick Reads initiative is one of the most exciting and ambitious publishing events of 2006. Our aim is to transform the lives of millions of adults who have difficulty reading,’ said Gail Rebuck, CEO of Random House Group, who is spearheading the Quick Reads campaign.

‘With the help of these bestselling writers, including Matthew Reilly, we want to take emergent readers and make them addicted readers – so that reading for pleasure becomes not just a skill, but a habit.

‘We’re delighted to have Matthew Reilly on board.’

Books Alive is an Australian Government initiative that aims to encourage all Australians to experience the joys of reading.