2009 CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Children's Book Awards shortlists

The shortlists for the 2009 CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Children's Book Awards have been announced
Technorati Tag: Books

Orange Prize for Fiction 2009 shortlist announced

The Orange Prize for Fiction 2009 shortlist has been announced:

* Scottsboro by Ellen Feldman
* The Wilderness by Samantha Harvey
* The Invention of Everything Else by Samantha Hunt
* Molly Fox's Birthday by Deirdre Madden
* Home by Marilynne Robinson
* Burnt Shadows by Kamila Shamsie

JG Ballard dead at 78

" The author JG Ballard, famed for novels such as Crash and Empire of the Sun, has died aged 78 after a long illness. His agent Margaret Hanbury said the author had been ill "for several years" and had died on Sunday morning. Despite being referred to as a science fiction writer, Ballard said his books were instead "picturing the psychology of the future". His most acclaimed novel was Empire of the Sun, based on his childhood in a Japanese prison camp in China" - BBC
Technorati Tag: Books

Books lent out to Tube commuters (UK)

Books are being loaned to commuters on the London Underground in a scheme aimed at giving readers an alternative to free newspapers. Novels are handed out free to commuters outside five Tube stations once a month in the Choose What You Read scheme. They are returned the following month or to a central London "drop" box. Co-founder Alfie Boyd said: "Everyone enjoys reading a nice story rather than about a useless celebrity that no-one really cares about too much." He began the scheme with friend Claire Wilson to give commuters an alternative to the "tonnes of free newspapers dished out and thrown away every day" - BBC. The Choose What You Read website is here

The Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival 2009

"Now in its 7th year the Theakstons Old Peculiar Crime Writing Festival is now a firm date in the literary calendar and has achieved international acclaim for the programming, organisation and Festival atmosphere. Every year, writers, readers, publishers and agents all gather in the beautiful informal setting of the Crown Hotel, Harrogate, UK, to talk about the biggest themes, the most controversial writing, take part in hilarious late night cabaret, see special guests, or just enjoy the atmosphere. For 2009, the Festival has been programmed by award winning author, Laura Wilson, who, with the support of the programming committee and Festival team, has created a thrilling four days – packed with the very best and brightest names in crime writing." - 23-26 July, 2009

Orange Award for New Writers 2009 shortlist

The shortlist for the Orange Award for New Writers 2009 has been announced:

- An Equal Stillness by Francesca Kay
- Miles From Nowhere by Nami Mun
- The Personal History of Rachel DuPree by Ann Weisgarber

Desmond Elliott Prize 2009 longlist announced

The longlist for the Desmond Elliott Prize 2009 has been announced:

* A Girl Made of Dust by Nathalie Abi-Ezzi (Fourth Estate)
* The Behaviour of Moths by Poppy Adams (Virago)
* Girl in a Blue Dress by Gaynor Arnold (Tindal Street Press)
* Mr Toppit by Charles Elton (Viking)
* Never Never by David Gaffney (Tindal Street Press)
* Blackmoor by Edward Hogan (Simon & Schuster)
* The Redemption of Alexander Seaton by Shona MacLean (Quercus)
* The Rescue Man by Anthony Quinn (Jonathan Cape)
* Little Gods by Anna Richards (Picador)
* The Alternative Hero by Tim Thornton (Jonathan Cape)

2009 Galaxy British Book Awards - winners

The winners of the 2009 Galaxy British Book Awards have been announced

Galaxy Book of the Year
The Suspicions of Mr Whicher - Kate Summerscale (Bloomsbury)

Outstanding Achievement
Michael Palin

Richard & Judy Best Read
When Will There Be Good News - Kate Atkinson (Black Swan)

Borders Author of the Year
Aravind Adiga for The White Tiger (Atlantic Books)

Tesco Biography of the Year
Dreams From My Father - Barack Obama (Canongate)

Books Direct Crime Thriller of the Year
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson (Quercus)

Sainsbury's Popular Fiction Award
Devil May Care - Sebastian Faulks (Penguin 007)

Play.com Popular Non-Fiction Award
The Suspicions of Mr Whicher - Kate Summerscale (Bloomsbury)

Waterstone's New Writer of the Year
Tom Rob Smith for Child 44 (Simon & Schuster)

WHSmith Children's Book of the Year
Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer Atom