Shock ending: how the Costa book awards changed reading – and pitted husband against wife

After 50 years, the prize has been scrapped. How did it change Britain’s literary landscape? And what happened at the awards when Margaret Drabble was seated next to Theresa May?Margaret Drabble was a bright young star with five novels to her name in 1971, when she was talked into joining her old friend JB Priestley on the judging panel for a new book prize. “Jack told me that I should spend the fee (which came in wine) by choosing some very nice half-bottles to drink by myself, which I did,” she recalls.Drabble argued for a biography of the playwright Henrik Ibsen, Priestley was keen on a novel by Gerda Charles, and their fellow judge, the critic Anthony Thwaite, championed a poetry collection by Geoffrey Hill. The glory of the new, brewery-sponsored awards was that all three could have prizes, so it all went swimmingly, with none of the squabbles that had already begun to bedevil the Booker, launched two years earlier. These arguments had included one over the literary quality of a certain Margaret Drabble, who (according to Booker judge Dame Rebecca West) would insist on lowering the tone by writing about the washing-up. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2022-06-23 05:00:38 UTC ]
News tagged with: #literary landscape #margaret drabble #judging panel #poetry collection #costa book

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Up Your Reading Game With These Book Reading Accessories

You can make your reading experience *even better* with these great book reading accessories. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2019-11-15 11:38:51 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #great book #book reading


British Book Awards and The Bookseller working class survey shortlisted for PPA Awards

The British Book Awards and The Bookseller’s working class survey have been shortlisted for prizes at this year’s Professional Publishers Association (PPA) Independent Publisher Awards. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-10-02 16:52:21 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #ppa awards #independent publisher #publishers association #british book #bookseller


Where do you read books? I read at the mall.

Books are about people. Reading while you’re around them is a useful reminder of that. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2019-09-20 12:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #read books


“Literature Locked Up” Supports An End to US Prison Book Bans for Banned Books Week

PEN America launches their "Literature Locked Up" program for Banned Books Week in support of ending prison book banning. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2019-09-12 13:15:15 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #books week


Averiss and Beardshaw win Book of the Year at Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Awards

Corrinne Averiss and Rosalind Beardshaw have triumphed at this year’s Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Awards to win the Book of the Year Award for My Pet Star (Hachette Children’s Books). Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-08-28 19:52:05 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book awards #children’s book #book of the year


South African Book Fair and Book Week: Toward a Reading Culture

The Book Development Council is readying its 2019 National Book Week, South African Book Fair and national indigenous language festivals. The post South African Book Fair and Book Week: Toward a Reading Culture appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-08-28 05:30:32 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book week #reading culture #book fair


Los Angeles Times Book Club reads 'The Library Book'

Just in time for summer reading, the Los Angeles Times Book Club has chosen "The Library Book" as our first community read and will host a June 25 forum with bestselling author Susan Orlean. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2019-06-06 10:00:06 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #library book #summer reading #community read #bestselling author #times book


Los Angeles Times Book Club reads ‘The Library Book’

Just in time for summer reading, the Los Angeles Times Book Club has chosen “The Library Book” as our first community read and will host a June 25 forum with bestselling author Susan Orlean. Join us as we explore Orlean’s bestseller, a whodunit about the mysterious 1986 fire that gutted Los... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2019-06-06 10:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #library book #summer reading #community read


First National Antiracist Book Festival Launched by National Book Award Winner

Ibram Kendi, who received the 2016 National Book Award for his book 'Stamped From the Beginning,' has launched the first National Antiracist Book Festival, to be held April 27 at American University in Washington, D.C. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-04-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Michelle Obama book vies with Trump exposé at book awards

Michelle Obama’s Becoming goes up against Michael Wolff's Fire and Fury at the British Book Awards. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2019-03-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #trump expos #book awards #michelle obama #michael wolff


The British Book Awards: 2019 Books of the Year Shortlists

The British Book Awards, or 'Nibbies'–which comprise both industry and book honors–today announce their books of the year shortlists. The post The British Book Awards: 2019 Books of the Year Shortlists appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-03-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #year shortlists


The British Book Awards Books of the Year shortlists revealed

All eight shortlists for the British Book Awards Books of the Year have been announced, with a strong focus on international writers including Michelle Obama, Michael Wolff, Sally Rooney and Leila Slimani. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-03-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #michael wolff #sally rooney #leila slimani


At London Book Fair: Discussing Arabic Literature with Sheikh Zayed Book Award

A widening chorus of literary voices from the Arab world is being heard on the international stage, thanks in part to the leadership of the UAE's Sheikh Zayed Book award, says Lebanon's Nasser Jarrous. The post At London Book Fair: Discussing Arabic Literature with Sheikh Zayed Book Award... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-03-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #literary voices #arab world #international stage #nasser jarrous


LBF UK Book Blog Awards introduces Book Podcast of the Year category

The UK Book Blog Awards at the London Book Fair will introduce a new category for 2019 - Book Podcast of the Year.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-01-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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British Book Awards Expanded for 2019 in Children’s Books, Small Presses

The annual British Book Awards, with winners to be announced May 13, are widening their recognition of independent publishers and of nonfiction and illustrated work in children's books. The post British Book Awards Expanded for 2019 in Children’s Books, Small Presses appeared first on Publishing... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-12-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #small presses #independent publishers #illustrated work


Nation Books Changing Name to Bold Type Books

Effective January 1, Nation Books, a joint project of the Nation Institute and Hachette Book Group, will be known as Bold Type Books. The move comes on the heels of the Nation Institute changing its name. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-12-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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AAP Opens 2019 PROSE Awards to Entries; National Book Awards Host Is Nick Offerman

The Association of American Publishers' PROSE Awards for scholarly and professional books will be named in February. The National Book Awards winners ceremony is on November 14. The post AAP Opens 2019 PROSE Awards to Entries; National Book Awards Host Is Nick Offerman appeared first on... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-10-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #nick offerman #american publishers #professional books


Books: National Book Award longlists, a fall preview and concern about ALOUD

Hi — I’m Carolyn Kellogg, books editor of the L.A. Times. This week in print you’ll find the Fall Arts Preview — books included. THE BIG BOOKS This fall brings books from Michelle Obama, Jonathan Franzen, Haruki Murakami, Michael Connelly, Stephen King and more; see our picks of books you won’t... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2018-09-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #books editor #big books #carolyn kellogg #ll find #michelle obama #jonathan franzen #haruki murakami #michael connelly #stephen king


Guadalajara Book Fair Announces Awards in Young Adult Books and Romance Languages

New winners in annual awards programs are Ida Vitale and Graciela Montes, as named by Mexico's leading international book fair organizers at Guadalajara. The post Guadalajara Book Fair Announces Awards in Young Adult Books and Romance Languages appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-09-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #romance languages


Sheikh Zayed Book Award, PP, and Frankfurt Book Fair NY Hosts Event Celebrating Arabic Literature in Translation

The Sheikh Zayed Book Award, Publishing Perspectives, and the Frankfurt Book Fair New York will host at seminar on Arabic literature in translation in NYC. The post Sheikh Zayed Book Award, PP, and Frankfurt Book Fair NY Hosts Event Celebrating Arabic Literature in Translation appeared first on... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-07-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #translation appeared #arabic literature