This year, organiser National Library Board (NLB), will put book-lovers' limits to the test by introducing a week-long reading marathon - no pitstops included - along with a short story writing competition for teens.

The 144-hour-long marathon session will take place at the National Library Building in Bugis from July 3 to 9, involving teams of not more than 12 members.

Each team will take about six hours each, with no breaks in between, to read aloud a story book of their choice.

Another highlight is a short-story writing content, held in partnership with Reader's Digest, to celebrate Singapore's hosting of the 2010 Youth Olympic Games.

Young writers aged 13 to 17 must craft a story linked to the theme 'Dare to Dream: Stories of Imagination, Passion and Sporting Excellence'. Entries will close on Sept 30.

READ! Singapore was first launched in 2005, to promote a culture of reading in the Republic. Since then, it has reached more than 81,000 people, through holding more than 960 book discussions and activities in venues ranging from community centres to schools.

During the reading marathon, NLB will also collect donations for The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.

Read the full story in Wednesday's edition of The Straits Times.