New readers’ prize for best novel
«If you like a book, say so!» is the slogan of a new competition for the best Greek novel. Jointly organized by SKAI radio and the National Book Center of Greece (EKEBI), the competition asks readers to nominate their favorite novel of the year. The competition will begin in bookstores, which will set up readers’ committees, then SKAI’s listeners will have their say. The aim is to get readers talking about the books they like and bring literature to the forefront of daily discussion. Bookstores Each of the 16 bookstores taking part in the competition will set up readers’ committees to agree on a list of the 10 best Greek novels published in 2005. The 16 lists must be sent to EKEBI by November 19 and the five novels that get the most votes from the readers’ committees will go on sale with a ribbon labeled «Candidate for the SKAI-EKEBI Readers’ Prize.» In the next phase, a judges’ committee will be set up, with one person from each of the 16 readers’ committees, three SKAI 100.3 listeners (chosen from those who have expressed an interest by post, e-mail or fax) and a literary critic. This committee will judge the five books and SKAI listeners will be able to express their views in a special box on the radio station’s website www.skairadio.gr. Listeners’ votes will count in the final choice. In late February, the judges’ committee will meet to announce the winner at an event held by the two organizers, and the winning book will go on sale with a ribbon «SKAI-EKEBI Readers’ Prize.» Next year the organizers hope to expand the project to include more bookstores and to include other genres such as detective fiction and children’s literature. Readers’ prizes are well established abroad; Canada, France, Britain and Belgium are some of the countries where they have done a great deal to promote reading. Just last week Greek writer Alki Zei won the Bookworms’ Prize in France for her book «Constantina and her Spiders,» translated by Giselle Jaena Peren. The competition is divided into sections judged by school pupils of different ages, and Zei’s book was chosen by children in the second and third year of junior high school. Readers’ committees Readers who would like to join the readers’ committees can apply to the following bookstores: -Bibligora, 73 Vyzantinou, Nea Ionia, tel 210.277.5706. -Ekfrasi, 26A Kyprou, Argyroupoli, tel 210.996.1695. -Eleftheroudakis, 17 Panepistimiou, Athens, tel 210.325.8440. -Epi Skinis, 47 Tritonos, Palaio Faliron, tel 210.985.4352. -Estia, 60 Solonos, Athens, tel 210.363.5970. -Evripidis sti Stoa, 11 V. Constantinou, Halandri, tel 210.680.0644. -Zafeiriou, 77 Patroklou, Ilion, tel 210.261.8156. -To Thema, 30 Panagi Tsaldari, Vyronas, tel 210.764.2809. -Kokkali, 94 Taxiarchon, Korydallos, tel 210.495.2635. -Libro, 10-12 Glykonos, Athens, tel 210.722.8647. -Patakis, Akademias & Gennadiou, Athens, tel 210.381.1740. -Papasotiriou, 23 Stournari, Athens, tel 210.332.3300. -Savvala, 188 Z. Pigis, Athens, tel 210.330.1251. -To Vivliopoleio, 97-99 Skra, Kallithea, tel 210.956.4718. -Tsamantaki, 32 Karaoli, Piraeus, tel 210.413.8114. -Forum Ideon, 439 Mesogeion, Aghia Paraskevi, tel 210.608.0363.
