December last year was an exciting time for me and my blog, as I began working with Costa Coffee on the Costa Book Awards 2017*! I reviewed the four books shortlisted in the Children’s category, and what an incredible line up it was: Wed Wabbit by Lissa Evans, Moonrise by Sarah Crossan, The Explorer by Katherine Rundell and The Island at the End of Everything by Kiran Millwood Hargrave. It was so refreshing to read a genre that I don’t usually pick up, and I had a lot of fun working with Costa on this category!
At the start of this month, the winners of each of the five categories were announced which I wrapped up here. Out of the Children’s category, The Explorer won, and whilst it wasn’t the book I had predicted (Moonrise) I was still super happy for Katherine Rundell – there was some excellent competition in the category!
Costa very kindly invited me to attend the Awards Ceremony last night, and I just had to say yes! I had so much fun; my good blogging friend Becky and I made our way down to London and spent the evening at the very fancy Quaglino’s. It was super exiting to go to an event such as this, to be in a room filled with inspirational and talented authors (I was even asked if I was an author myself!), meet fellow bloggers Sarah and Grace, drink free cocktails and rub shoulders with some well known faces. I even met Kiran, the author of the Island at the End of Everything, outside the event and got my copy of her book signed which was lovely!
A huge congratulations to all those who were nominated, but as you may have heard now, the winner of the Costa Book of the Year 2017 went to the late Helen Dunmore’s Inside The Wave! Inside The Wave is a collection of poems about impending death and Helen is the second posthumous winner in the award’s history. After hearing about the books up for the prize, they all sounded incredible and whilst the book I was personally rooting for out of the five shortlisted didn’t win I do believe that Inside the Wave was well deserving of the award and it was rather emotional to see Helen’s children collect the award on her behalf.
It’s been wonderful to be able to work with Costa on their Book Awards this year and I’m so grateful to have had this huge opportunity for both me and my blog – thank you to the lovely Costa PR team! Not only have I been exposed to a kind of book I wouldn’t usually pick up, but I’ve developed a love for a new genre and been able to attend a swanky awards ceremony (going to work in drizzly Manchester the next day was a tad underwhelming).
If you’re looking for a new book to read, definitely check out the full shortlist for the Costa Book Awards here, as they all truly sounded amazing and I’ll be sure to pick a couple up once I get my TBR down to a more manageable size… if that’s even a thing.
*This is part of a series of posts sponsored by the Costa Book Awards but all opinions and thoughts are my own.
Kelly says
It sounded like an amazing night Amy! I’ve read both Moonrise and The Explorer too and surprised that Moonrise didn’t win as well. Gosh that was an intense read and confronting. I liked The Explorer but I felt too long especially for a middle grade audience. Really looking forward to seeing what Sarah Crossan is working on next, I love books told in verse and have read all of her published work so far. My favourite is Apple and Rain, have you read that one? Great post Amy and congratulations to everyone nominated. Thanks so much for sharing <3
amyjanealice says
Thank you Kelly, it really was! I agree with your comment regarding the length of The Explorer, it did feel a little long winded but it had a good storyline. I’ve only ever read Moonrise by Sarah Crossan but think I should definitely pick up her others! Thank you for commenting 🙂 x
Cora @ Tea Party Princess says
It sounds like you had an amazing time 🙂
Cora | http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/
amyjanealice says
I really did, it was lovely 🙂
Shaz says
This looks like a lovely event! Glad you had fun! ? Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is on my TBR and I can’t wait to read it.
amyjanealice says
Thank you Shaz, I really did! I haven’t picked a copy up yet but it sounds awesome so I’m sure I will do at some point 🙂
Aj @ Read All The Things! says
This event sounds amazing! I’m glad you had fun. I’ve been following the Costa Award, but I haven’t read any of the finalists (or the winner) yet.
amyjanealice says
Thank you so much! I definitely recommend the Children’s category, but maybe I’m a little biased 😉