Kobo Sends eBooks and eReaders to Canadian Troops in Afghanistan

TORONTO, Aug. 25 /CNW/ - In response to a need for reading materials, Kobo, a global eReading service, is proud to announce that it is sending 150 new Kobo eReaders - loaded with best sellers and classic books - to the Canadian troops currently serving in Afghanistan.

"Reading materials are hard to come by as books are heavy to transport via flights, so they are not often updated. Additionally, the state of the library is not always in good shape," noted Mark Larose, Canadian Forces Personnel and Family Support Services.

Before sending over the eReaders, Kobo is inviting Canadians to contribute by offering the troops their recommendations and reviews on the included eBooks. 

Publishers including HarperCollins Canada, Harlequin, McClelland & Stewart, Random House of Canada and Simon & Schuster have generously donated a wide selection of best sellers so in addition to the classics, the troops can enjoy this season's top titles at the same time as their loved ones back home.

"We learned of this need through a Kobo employee that has a family member serving in Afghanistan. We are very excited to participate and are very pleased with the response and the additional support from the publishing community. Hopefully with these books the troops can take some much needed time to relax, unwind and escape in a great read" said Michael Serbinis, CEO of Kobo.

The eReaders will go out to the troops in early September and will be available to share in the base library. Some of the eBooks that will be sent to the troops include great reads such as: 

• A Soldier First by Rick Hillier
• Fifteen Days by Christine Blatchford
• The Bishop's Man by Linden MacIntyre
• Under the Dome by Stephen King
• Playing with Fire by Theo Fleury and Kirstie McLellan Day

You can visit the Kobo blog before September 5 to see the rest of the books and to share your thoughts and reviews: http://blog.kobobooks.com/2010/08/24/eReadersfortheTroops

About Kobo, Inc.

Kobo is a global eReading service backed by majority shareholder Indigo Books & Music, Borders Group, REDgroup Retail, and Cheung Kong Holdings. Kobo believes consumers should be able to read any eBook on any device. With a catalog of over two million eBooks, and an open platform, Kobo enables retailers, device manufacturers and mobile operators to bring the joy of eReading to customers everywhere. For information specific to the new Kobo eReader, visit www.KoboeReader.com. For information on Kobo Books and their eBook catalogue, visit www.kobobooks.com.

For further information:

For more information contact:

Rene Samulewitsch
High Road Communications
416-644-2287
[email protected]