RENOWNED film and book critic Margaret Pomeranz will join the judging panel for the University of Canberra Book of the Year 2014.

It must also demonstrate the potential for the University to expand on important themes raised in the book in the social and educational life of the campus. The winning book will be given to all new 2014 students and university staff.

The University of Canberra Book Project is in its second year. The inaugural book of the year, Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey has been distributed to staff and new students since late 2012.

Ms Pomeranz said she was delighted to have been asked to join the judging panel.

“What I look for in either a film or a book is to be transported into a believable world that in some way enlightens me about life, love, history – the whole catastrophe,” she says.

“The shortlisted books in the University of Canberra book project have all done that in some way. It’s a joy to be part of it. My world has been expanded.

“Reading a book can be a very personal experience, but sharing it and talking about it makes it more rewarding, and this is what I really like about the University of Canberra book project.”

The shortlist, announced today, is the following five novels, drawn from books that have been Commonwealth Prize Winners in the last three years.

•         Chinaman, by Shehan Karunatilaka
•         The Dubious Salvation of Jack V, by Jacques Strauss
•          The Memory of Love, by Aminatta Forna
•          Room, by Emma Donoghue
•          The Town That Drowned, by Riel Nason
• The full panel of judges is:
  • ·         Mr Nigel Featherstone, award-winning author, previous manager of Arts Development ACT
  • ·         Professor Nicholas Klomp, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (education), University of Canberra
  • ·         Ms Penelope Layland, research student, University of Canberra
  • ·         Emeritus Professor Satendra Nandan, University of Canberra
  • ·         Ms Margaret Pomeranz, movie and book critic and presenter, At the Movies, ABC Television
  • ·         Professor Jen Webb, professor of arts and humanities, University of Canberra