Our annual pick of the most exciting debut fiction has previously tipped Sally Rooney and Louise Kennedy, Tom Crewe and Douglas Stuart. Here the class of 2024 tell us their storiesEach year since 2014, the Observer New Review’s writers and editors have read scores of forthcoming debut novels from authors based in the UK and Ireland in order to spotlight the best; here’s our pick of 2024. As ever, our only guide was the quality of the books in front of us. This year’s list includes industry-tipped titles snapped up by big-spending publishers, but also a canny acquisition from a small independent press. There’s a third book from someone already widely celebrated as a writer of short stories, and even a debut from an actual Observer journalist. These are simply the books we rated most – and we think you’ll love them too.In previous years, we led you to Douglas Stuart’s Booker-winning Shuggie Bain, Gail Honeyman’s global bestseller Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine and Sheena Patel’s cult indie hit I’m a Fan. Last year’s picks continue to hoover up honours. Tom Crewe’s The New Life won the Orwell prize for fiction, while Michael Magee (Close to Home) won the Rooney prize, awarded to an outstanding Irish writer under 40. Both writers are on the shortlist for this month’s Nero debut fiction prize, along with Stephen Buoro, another of our 2023 picks.I’d take the washing up shifts no one else wanted so I could be at the back, jotting things downThere’s violence, but it’s about... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'
[ The Guardian | 2024-01-14 07:00:20 UTC ]
Gail Honeyman’s bestselling debut Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine (HarperCollins) has scooped the Books Are My Bag Readers' Choice Award, while Philip Pullman and The Secret Barrister also scored prizes. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-11-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
He has charmed Elton John, angered Paul McCartney – and horrified Yoko Ono. What will he uncover about the ‘murky’ death of Jimi Hendrix? The great rock writer reveals the pain – and pleasure – of chasing starsSlowhand: The Life and Music of Eric Clapton is my eighth rock biography since Shout!... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2018-11-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Saqi Books is publishing a newly discovered collection of short stories by the late author Naguib Mahfouz, who won the 1988 Nobel Prize for Literature. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-11-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
The Orwell Foundation will next month launch a prize to celebrate novels or short stories that illuminate social and political themes through the art of narrative. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-10-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
‘Hopeful’ novel about an elderly woman who adopts a dog leads the charge from feelgood fictionA debut novel about a lonely old woman who has fallen through the cracks of society has wowed publishers at this week’s Frankfurt book fair, with 10 presses fighting to win a book that is being compared... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2018-10-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Transworld has pre-empted an “uplifting, heart-warming and accessible” reading group novel by debut author and musician Hazel Prior, born out of a passion for harps. Touching on love, friendship, kindness and generosity, according to Transworld Ellie and the Harp-maker will appeal to readers of... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-09-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Faber Children’s Books has acquired a collection of short stories, set in World War II, by Emma Carroll. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-08-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
As well as slashing fees for short stories, the magazine has demanded fiction writers waive all rights to their workThe new issue of the Woman’s Weekly fiction special is out now, promising its readers short stories from writers who “never fail to come up with new twists and turns and unexpected... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2018-08-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Writer, rapper and community activist Darren McGarvey, also known as 'Loki', has won the Orwell Prize for Books for his "heart-rending" debut Poverty Safari (Luath Press). Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-06-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Picador is set to republish a “savage” exploration of poverty which is vying for the Orwell Prize. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-06-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Gail Honeyman has won the 2018 Authors’ Club Best First Novel Award for her debut Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine (HarperCollins). Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-06-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
For a 16th week, Gail Honeyman's Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is the Weekly E-Book Ranking number one. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-06-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
And with that, the Honeyman is over. Peter James’ Dead If You Don’t has ended Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine’s record run in the Weekly E-Ranking number one spot, becoming the first new number one in the ebook chart since the second week of February. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-06-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
While Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine vacated its print number one in the week this chart covers, Gail Honeyman is nowhere near done in the Weekly E-Book Ranking: The British Book Awards’ Book of the Year notched up a 15th week as the ebook number one. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-05-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Gail Honeyman's Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine (Harper) has once again topped the UK Official Top 50, selling 19,984 copies for £111,356. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-05-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine has rampaged into the Weekly E-Book Ranking top spot for a 11th consecutive week, bringing its tally of number ones to 12 and edging closer to The Girl on the Train’s all-time record of 19. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-05-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Gail Honeyman's Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine (Harper) has returned to the UK Official Top 50 number one spot with 22,040 copies sold through Nielsen BookScan's Total Consumer Market, ousting Lee Child's The Midnight Line (Bantam). Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-05-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Gail Honeyman’s Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and Helen Morris’ The Tattooist of Auschwitz have held first and second place in the Weekly E-Book Ranking for five weeks straight. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-04-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Gail Honeyman’s début continues to remain completely fine at the top of the Weekly E-Ranking. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-04-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Lee Child’s The Midnight Line (Bantam) has ended Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine’s run in the UK Official Top 50 number one spot, selling 35,942 copies for £146,019. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-04-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this