Man Booker Prize.  

The story of a man's journey from Indian village life to entrepreneurial success it has been described as 'a brilliantly irreverent, blackly comic, deeply endearing and altogether unforgettable tour de force.'

Richard & Judy Summer Reads  

What could be worse than losing your entire family in a single night? 25 years later, Cynthia Archer is about to find out.  A strong psychological thriller.  Don't be put off if you're not a Richard & Judy fan - the person behind their book club choices always comes up with some excellent reads.

The Yiddish Policemen's Union

Nebula Award: Best Novel & Hugo Award: Best Novel

What if, was once proposed, Alaska - and not Israel - had become the homeland for the Jews after World War II?  Find out in this murder-mystery speculative-history Jewish-identity noir chess thriller.  Chabon has brilliant fun with his Jewish-Alaska construct, such a dazzling, individual, hyperconfident novel that it's tough to work out who wouldn't have fun reading it.  By winning both awards this novel is acclaimed by both fellow authors and readers.

It should have been an ordinary birth, the start of an ordinary happy family, but the night Dr David Henry delivers his wife's twins is a night that will haunt five lives for ever. Though David's son is a healthy boy, his daughter has Down's syndrome.  A haunting tale of love, loss and secrets that stretch a lifetime.

Marianne Shearer is at the height of her career, a dauntingly successful barrister, respected by her peers and revered by her clients. So why has she killed herself?  Frances Fyfield is a criminal lawyer, a trade she has used to huge success in many of her novels.

The story of a former RAF prisoner-of-war returning to Germany to confront his demons.  '...we chose A.L. Kennedy as our winner because, through an extraordinary act of ventriloquism, she describes the waste and eventual resurrection of a young life shattered by war.'

A new stand-alone SF thriller from one of the most successful SF authors.  Morgan's trademark - blistering pace and high octane action allied to cutting edge science and social concerns.

Romantic Novel of the Year

Petra Flint and Arlo Savidge were teenage sweethearts in a sweet, chaste, old-fashioned way.  Then one rainy day Arlo and Petra stand before each other once again, hardly able to believe their eyes. Is this their second chance?  'A distinctive storytelling style and credible, loveable characters! An addictive read that encompasses the stuff life is made of.

Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction  &  Good Housekeeping Book Awards: Best Fiction 2008

Lev is on his way to Britain to seek work, so that he can send money back to eastern Europe to support his mother and little daughter.  Rose Tremain's hugely enjoyable new novel is the up-to-the-minute story of Lev, newly arrived in London from Eastern Europe.  A wise and witty look at the contemporary migrant experience.

Good Housekeeping Book Awards: Best Non Fiction

Sally Brampton is an optimist. The founding editor of Elle magazine, a successful journalist and novelist, she loves gardening, friends and life. She is also a depressive. This book provides a memoir of her journey through depression.

Such is the impact and breadth of Charlton's story that this book will appeal to fans of any club. A thoughtful book covering the tragedies and the triumphs in a wonderfully open and honest manner.  He is one of the true gentlemen of football.

An insightful and very funny account of the passion that drives obsessive football fans.  'This is just a book about people who share a common interest, and as such it is a lovely warm, very human book'.

Royal Society Prizes for Science Books

An eye-opening and vital account of the future of our Earth and our civilisation if current rates of global warming persist.  Six degrees takes a fresh and interesting approach to the familiar topic of climate change. Gripping and remarkably balanced, this book does not just focus on the doom and gloom' but also displays practical optimism towards the issues facing us."

Royal Society Prizes for Science Books

The description of a 15000 mile journey from John O'Groats, Scotland to the southernmost point in South Africa.

The ultimate all-in-one reference for anyone who orders a fruit or vegetable box, is a regular at a farmers' market or simply dreams of a life filled with good quality food.

A provocative work of nonfiction that reads like a Victorian thriller,  The Road Hill House murder provoked national hysteria, and inspired writers such as Charles Dickens and that great exponent of the Victorian sensation novel, Wilkie Collins.  "(Whicher) is the inspiration for so many fictional detectives; the case was the original country house murder, and you can even see its influence on Agatha Christie."

The England Test batsman describes his career and battle against depression. Destined to throw some light on a subject that remains taboo in the macho world of sport.