Well Done, Those Men, by Barry Heard will be the Victorian book for the National Year of Reading Our Story after readers all over the State voted for their favourite of six shortlisted books.

The announcement was made at the Victorian launch of the National Year of Reading on Tuesday February 14 at the State Library of Victoria.

The book is one of eight books that will represent each State and Territory in Australia. A mystery, a memoir, a journey into the outback, a sinister and haunting tale, an unsolved disappearance, uncontrollable desires, the horrors of war, laughter, heartbreak and a dark secret – you'll find them all in the eight books that Australians have decided will be the National Year of Reading 2012 collection. The full set of eight winners was announced at the national launch event, where Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced the beginning of the National Year of Reading.

The winning titles were:
Smoke and Mirrors, by Kel Robertson (ACT);
The Idea of Home, by John Hughes (NSW);
Listening to Country, by Ros Moriarty (NT);
The White Earth, by Andrew McGahan (QLD);
Time's Long Ruin, by Stephen Orr (SA);
Wanting, by Richard Flanagan (TAS);
Well Done, Those Men, by Barry Heard (VIC) and
Jasper Jones, by Craig Silvey (WA).

Existing book groups, new groups and individual readers can go online and register as a member of Our Story, to join in the discussion about the books that have been chosen and be in the running to WIN a book pack of the 8 winning books and an e-Reader with thanks to The National Year of Reading. Runners up will receive a book pack (Competition closes: 30 April, 2012) Click here to register.
 
Yarra Plenty Regional Library has a rich schedule of lively events planned for the National Year of Reading.

For a start, look out for some flash mobs in your area. Join in the fun by signing up at 52flashmobs.com. (What's a flash mob?)

In March and April you can also share book recommendations at Mill Park Library, examine vampires in fiction at Ivanhoe, and learn how to write a book at a writing workshop with award-winning author of Things We Didn't See Coming Steven Amsterdam at Eltham. Children can also attend a special storytime in the pool at the Thomastown Recreation and Activity Centre on Wednesday 21 March at 12.30pm.
Download the March April events brochure here.

Look out for more National Year of Reading updates.
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