This is the National Year of Reading, so what better time to pick up a book or an eBook reader? UNESCO has designated 1 March as World Book Day, so what more excuse do you need?

Many great Australian films have been adapted from novels. You’ll find a selection of novel-into-film adaptations on our home page this week featuring the work of Christos Tsiolkas (Head On and The Slap), John Birmingham (He Died with a Felafel in His Hand and Leviathan), Ruth Park (Playing Beatie Bow and Harp in the South) and Tim Winton (That Eye, the Sky and Cloudstreet).

Four of 2011’s most acclaimed Australian films were based on books. Novels by Patrick White, Louis de Bernières and Julia Leigh inspired the screenplays for The Eye of the Storm (pictured), Red Dog and The Hunter, respectively. Snowtown (releasing now in the US as The Snowtown Murders) was adapted from the books Killing for Pleasure (by Debi Marshall) and The Snowtown Murders (by Andrew McGarry).

See a full list of adaptations on ASO, dating back to The Sentimental Bloke (1919).

The NFSA is proud to support the National Year of Reading by offering resources and showcasing activities throughout 2012.