British Book Awards Shortlists

Posted by Elizabeth Gregory Mar 23, 2008

The nominees for the prestigious Galaxy British Books Awards - the "Oscars" of the British book industry - have been announced. The awards, known as the "Nibbies" as winners receive a statuette in the shape of a pen nib, will be handed out by Richard Madeley and Judy Finnegan on April 9th.

Katie Price - Best Children's Book?

The nominee lists contain few surprises - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Khaled Hosseini, Doris Lessing, Ian McEwan and David Peace up for Reader's Digest Author of the Year, for example - but the name that has provoked the most comment is that of Katie Price, better known as former glamour model Jordan. She is listed for the WH Smith Children's Book of the Year Award for My Pony Care Book, despite admitting using the services of a ghost writer to help her produce the book. Response to this has been mixed, with many feeling her inclusion on a prestigious list including Michael Morpurgo and Jacqueline Wilson is nothing but an insult, whilst a few have defended the book and said it has every right to be on the list.

Whatever happens, all the nominees will receive plenty of publicity in the coming weeks, suggesting that even those who don't win will feel the benefit on increased book sales.

British Book Awards Shortlists in Full

Check out the full list of nominees and cast your vote at the Awards homepage.