At a ceremony in central London earlier tonight, poet Christopher Reid, beat off competition from Patrick Ness, Graham Farmelo, Raphael Selbourne and Colm Toibin etc to win the 2009 Costa Book Prize.
The judges described A Scattering as “intensely moving, compelling and honest”.
The collection of poetry, was written as a tribute to his late wife Lucinda [...]

The shortlist for the 2010 Waterstones Children’s Bookprize has been announced!
This is an annual award from the largest high street book store chain in the UK, and is given to a work of children’s literature published during the previous year.
The purpose of the prize is to uncover emerging talent in children’s writing and so is [...]

Not content with being my favourite book of the year in 2009 *ahem* Patrick Ness has just announced on his site the the second book in The Chaos Walking Trilogy has been awarded the 2009 Costa Children’s Book Award! (Slightly more rewarding than my little acknowledgment I’m sure!)
I’m sure you’ve noticed but I’ve gushed [...]

It doesn’t officially finish for a few more days, but I wanted to post this now, so it didn’t get lost in the big end of year round-ups
I don’t think I’m the first challenge host to find themselves not participating in their own challenges quite as much as they had planned… In fact [...]

The 2009 Virtual Advent Tour website, went live earlier this morning, and you can sign-up to take part, right now!
Each day anyone who wants to participate takes turns sharing a treat with our friends here in blogland. For example it could be something about your family traditions, recipes, your country’s holiday traditions, or [...]

Just before 10:00pm GMT this evening in a ceremony at the Guildhall in London, Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel was announced by Jim Naughtie as the winner of the 2009 Man Booker Prize.

Man Booker Prize, Chair of judges James Naughtie today announced the award’s shortlist, at a press conference held at the Man Group plc’s London headquarters.

The shortlist includes two former winners in AS Byatt and JM Coetzee, and in Sarah Waters a previously shortlisted author. Coetzee is one of only two authors to have one the [...]

Update: The shortlist has been announced!
The longlist for the 2009 Man Booker Prize was announced today.
The longlist includes two former winners in AS Byatt and JM Coetzee, and in Sarah Waters and Colm Tobin, two previously shortlisted authors. Coetzee is one of only two authors to have one the prize twice (with Life & Times [...]

The 22nd Book Review Blog Carnival, has been posted at Emm Media, where Emm has collected together 25 great reviews for your delight and delectation.
While you’re at it, don’t forget I’m going to be hosting the 23rd Book Review Blog Carnival on August 2nd, and submissions are now open!
Submit your latest reviews here, [...]

It’s probably not a good idea considering the state of my TBR pile but when I saw that, The Manchester Book Market was taking place a sort train ride away from where I live, and actually coincides with one of my few weekends off, I didn’t think I’d be able to resist, and it’s looking [...]