People learn from six percent of what they hear but 86 percent of all they learn they get from what they read. An author once shared his thoughts on reading: "To read good books casually will not suffice. One must study every sentence and make sure of its full message. Good writers do not intend that we should get their full meaning without effort. They expect us to dig as one is compelled to dig for gold…. There is nothing that will strengthen the mind, broaden the vision, enrich the soul more than the reading of good books."

Australians know the lasting value of reading as an important skill. Millions of dollars are spent every year on books. Some avid readers and bookworms would even shell out $100 from their payday advances to stack up on good books. That is why Australians are in full support of reading programs for kids. Civil society groups and the government are working hand in hand to promote reading to children. Today, serious questions are being posed concerning the effect of emerging technologies and media, such as the internet and other mobile applications, on the reading habits of children and teens. A national research was made on the reading experiences of young people ages 10 to 18 year olds. One of the things that the research focused on was to identify the attitudes and motivational triggers that influence their reading habits.

In this regard, the Australian Government came up with the initiative to organize the Book Alive project through the Australia Council for the Arts. In simple terms, the project urges people to buy one or more books from the Books Alive "50 Books You Can’t Put Down" promo. Free books are then added to the ones already purchased. These books range from captivating novels to interesting biographies of people from all walks of life. Here are several book choices that are proudly Australian in nature and content.

Travel. "The Ribbon and the Ragged Square" by Linda Christmas; "Tracks" by Robyn Davidson; "In the Land of Oz" by Howard Jacobsen; "Finding Connections" by PJ Kavanagh

Society and Culture. "Triumph of the Nomads" by Geoffrey Blairney; "The Lucky Country" by Donald Horne; "The Rest of the World is Watching: Tasmania and the Greens" by several essayists

History and Politics. "A Short History of Australia" by Manning Clarke; "The Other Matilda" by Miriam Dixon

Fiction. "Tirra Lirra by the River" by Jessica Anderson; "Holden’s Performance" by Murray Bail

Books can be valuable investments, not just for children but for adults as well, because these open the readers to a wide-range of experiences. For people who are on a budget or their instant payday loan is already set aside for household expenses, they are always welcome to go to the library and borrow books to their hearts’ content.