Early yesterday the 2017 Costa Book Awards winners were announced. Though several great books have been recognized by the Costa Book Awards, I’ve never made it a point to follow this prize. I was thrilled, though, when one of my blogging buddies, Simon Savidge of Savidge Reads, was selected to judge this particular batch, and I now would really like to keep it in mind when I’m looking at great books of the year. It also helps that so many of my friends on Goodreads have been praising the award. I know they are very happy with the shortlist and ecstatic about the winner of the Novel Prize, which Paul reviewed for here.

2017 Costa Book Awards Winners

Novel: Reservoir 13 by Jon McGregor

First novel: Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

Biography: In the Days of Rain by Rebecca Stott

Poetry: Inside the Wave by Helen Dunmore

Children’s book: The Explorers by Katherine Rundell