The SHKP Book Clubs 10 Good Books poll closed with very good feedbacks as over 16,000 people have voted for their favourite books within just two months, scaling new heights in the promotion of reading in Hong Kong. The Club is following up by staging the latest round of book review competition, inviting members of the public to submit their reviews on the 10 good books. The Club hopes it will further the reading momentum already in place.

Over 16,000 votes cast with keen support from schools

SHKP believes that knowledge drives the creation of values and people should read and learn more to broaden their perspectives. The poll met with overwhelming support, with over 16,000 votes cast among 30 nominations on the 'home' theme. The voters included those from 800 schools, which represent about 60% of all primary and secondary schools. Those who voted also included teachers, nurses and professionals like lawyers, senior citizens as old as 91 years and kindergarteners. The voters have played a part in electing the best titles.

The 10 good books include stories told by two sisters who lost their father to SARS epidemic, love letters between a couple and other inspirational stories for children. In all these, the message of 'home' is clearly told. The Club has announced results of over 200 selected winners who have voted for any of the 10 good books to receive book coupons worth about $50,000 in total.

Noted figures serve as judges for new round of book review competition

To keep it going, the Club has launched the latest round of review competition on the 10 good books. The competition starting in mid-October will run until January 6, 2006, with a number of noted figures serving as judges. They include SHKP Vice Chairman and Managing Director Raymond Kwok, Chinese University of Hong Kong Vice-chancellor Prof . Lawrence J. Lau, Open University of Hong Kong President John Leong, Youth Commission Chairman Philemon Choi, Department of Government and Public Administration of Chinese University of Hong Kong Senior Instructor Ivan Choy, Federation of Hong Kong Writers Director Chau Mat-mat serving as judges, and Standing Committee on Language Education and Research Chairman Michael Tien as an adviser.

More activities and a children reading corner

Apart from the competition, the Club has diverse activities to promote reading culture in this knowledge-based city. The Club has just held a seminar series on children psychology, with experts elaborating on the topic using some of the good books. The Club has also stage a children reading corner at New Town Plaza in Shatin, which will offer a selection of children books, colourful activities, story telling sessions and puppet shows to encourage children to read more. The reading corner will offer chances for parents and children to get together and improve relationship.