View tag: Costa Book Awards

The wonderful Eleanor Oliphant

Published by Emma Lee-Potter in on Sunday 7th January 2018

One of my favourite jobs in recent years was being a judge for the Costa First Novel of the Year award. It was a huge honour to read scores of debut novels and help to whittle them down to a shortlist and then a winner. I love the fact that the Costa Book Awards celebrate the most outstanding and enjoyable books of the year across five categories – novel, first ...keep reading

Happy New Year

Published by Emma Lee-Potter in on Thursday 1st January 2015

2015 has blown in with blustery gales and lashings of resolutions. An old friend of mine makes a point of noting his New Year’s resolutions in the back of his diary each year. On December 31 he re-reads them, checking which ones he’s kept and which ones he’s failed hopelessly at. I’ve never copied his trick – and have no intention of starting now. New Year’s Day should be a ...keep reading

Nathan Filer wins 2013 Costa Book of the Year

Published by Emma Lee-Potter in on Wednesday 29th January 2014

Nathan Filer pulled off an amazing feat last night by winning the 2013 Costa Book of the Year prize with his very first novel. The Shock of the Fall, is, as I said in my recent Daily Express review, an “extraordinary” book. It describes teenager Matthew’s guilt about his older brother’s death and his own descent into madness. The story is told in the first person and is poignant, funny ...keep reading

I thought I was tough

Published by Emma Lee-Potter in on Wednesday 27th November 2013

I’m sure it isn’t normal to be sitting at my desk in coat, scarf and my favourite Brora fingerless gloves. But with Arctic-like temperatures and the windows of our Victorian house rattling alarmingly, it’s the only way to keep warm. The ancient radiators come on at four pm but they are fighting a losing battle. To put it bluntly they don’t heat the place up at all. Up until now ...keep reading

Andrew Miller wins 2011 Costa Book of the Year

Published by Emma Lee-Potter in on Wednesday 25th January 2012

A star-studded party, buckets of champagne and some of the most talented writers in the business vying for the prestigious Costa book of the year prize. The presentation ceremony for the 2011 Costa Book Awards was never going to be any old bash. Held at Quaglino’s, the chic London restaurant, hosted by TV presenter Penny Smith (looking resplendent in a long silver dress) and with guests including Maureen Lipman, Esther Rantzen, Natasha ...keep reading

Friday book review – Blood Red Road by Moira Young

Published by Emma Lee-Potter in on Friday 13th January 2012

I’m a huge fan of the Costa Book Awards. They’ve helped me discover loads of fantastic books over the years and when the organisers asked me to be a judge for the 2011 first novel of the year prize I was so excited I could hardly speak. The five 2011 category winners (novel, first novel, poetry, biography and children’s book) were announced last week and I can’t wait to discover the ...keep reading