10 January 2007
2006 Costa Book Awards category winners
The 2006 Costa Book Awards category winners have been announced. The awards recognise debut novels, biographies, poetry and children's books by writers based in the UK and Ireland.
2006 Costa First Novel Award winner
The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney
What the judges said:
"The Tenderness of Wolves stood out from a very strong shortlist. We felt enveloped by the snowy landscape and gripped by the beautiful writing and effortless story-telling. It is a story of love, suspense and beauty. We couldn't put it down."
2006 Costa Novel Award winner
Restless by William Boyd
What the judges said:
"Restless remains in the mind long after you finish it. Its scenes of wartime tension, the smell of espionage and the consequences of deceitful lives. Double cross, double bluff - all written with effortless clarity resulting in an unputdownable read."
2006 Costa Children's Book Award winner
Set in Stone by Linda Newbery [NB Suitable for older readers]
What the judges said:
"As beautifully crafted as one of the statues adorning the house in the story, this emotionally charged narrative will thrill all lovers of intelligent fiction."
2006 Costa Poetry Award winner
Letter to Patience by John Haynes
What the judges said:
"John Haynes Letter to Patience was the judges unanimous choice and a clear winner; a unique long poem of outstanding quality, condensing a lifetime of reflection and experience into a work of transporting momentum, imaginative lucidity, and consummate formal accomplishment."
2006 Costa Biography Award winner
Keeping Mum by Brian Thompson
What the judges said:
"This vivid, life-affirming and deftly-written book is a perfect antidote to the 'misery memoir'. We defy anyone not to enjoy it."
The Costa Book of the Year 2006 will be announced on Wednesday 7 February 2007.
Last year's overall winner was Matisse the Master by Hilary Spurling, who collected the main prize of £25,000.
Information from: http://www.costabookawards.com/awards/category_winners.aspx
2006 Costa First Novel Award winner
The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney
What the judges said:
"The Tenderness of Wolves stood out from a very strong shortlist. We felt enveloped by the snowy landscape and gripped by the beautiful writing and effortless story-telling. It is a story of love, suspense and beauty. We couldn't put it down."
2006 Costa Novel Award winner
Restless by William Boyd
What the judges said:
"Restless remains in the mind long after you finish it. Its scenes of wartime tension, the smell of espionage and the consequences of deceitful lives. Double cross, double bluff - all written with effortless clarity resulting in an unputdownable read."
2006 Costa Children's Book Award winner
Set in Stone by Linda Newbery [NB Suitable for older readers]
What the judges said:
"As beautifully crafted as one of the statues adorning the house in the story, this emotionally charged narrative will thrill all lovers of intelligent fiction."
2006 Costa Poetry Award winner
Letter to Patience by John Haynes
What the judges said:
"John Haynes Letter to Patience was the judges unanimous choice and a clear winner; a unique long poem of outstanding quality, condensing a lifetime of reflection and experience into a work of transporting momentum, imaginative lucidity, and consummate formal accomplishment."
2006 Costa Biography Award winner
Keeping Mum by Brian Thompson
What the judges said:
"This vivid, life-affirming and deftly-written book is a perfect antidote to the 'misery memoir'. We defy anyone not to enjoy it."
The Costa Book of the Year 2006 will be announced on Wednesday 7 February 2007.
Last year's overall winner was Matisse the Master by Hilary Spurling, who collected the main prize of £25,000.
Information from: http://www.costabookawards.com/awards/category_winners.aspx
# posted by BH @ 7:52 pm 
