Readings Carlton has been announced as the Independent Bookseller of the Year at the 2009 Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA). Readings represented Victoria in the shortlist that included booksellers from across Australia.

Readings also won the Bookseller Marketing Campaign of the Year for the promotion of Nam Le’s The Boat.

Readings chose The Boat as Australian Book of the Month in June 2008 as part of our series highlighting new and emerging Australian writers. The Copyright Agency Limited sponsored this series. We commissioned an interview-based feature article by Cate Kennedy, which was published in our newsletter and on our website. We hosted an event with Nam Le and Cate Kennedy attracting 450 people. The Boat was also chosen for our Australian Book Clubs and displayed with point-of-sale in our shops. We sold 571 copies in June 2008 and over 3200 copies to date. Nam says: ‘I can say without doubt that Readings’ support for The Boat has been a cornerstone of its success in Australia.‘

Congratulations to all the other ABIA winners too. You can find the full list of 2009 winners here.