Ballymena is full of book lovers and nothing gets readers more excited than an announcement about an award. One of my favourite awards is the Baileys Women’s Prize for Women which highlights the best works of literatures penned by female authors over the past year.
If you aren’t familiar with the prize then you might have heard of some of its former winners who include Ali Smith, Barbara Kingsolver, Marilynne Robinson, and Ann Patchett. Who ever wins the award this year will be in good company! Here are more details about the awards:
Now in its twenty first year, the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction celebrates excellence, originality and accessibility in writing by women from throughout the world. We’re delighted to announce this year’s Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction shortlist, featuring one previously shortlisted author and three debut novels.
“After a long and often passionate debate we are proud to present our 2016 shortlist,” said Margaret Mountford, Chair of judges. “Our choices reflect a really diverse mix of brilliant writing from new and established authors around the world and we hope that everyone will find much to enjoy in them.”
To stay in the loop about this year’s Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction and for a chance to win the shortlist, follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Cynthia Bond: Ruby
Anne Enright: The Green Road
Lisa McInerney: The Glorious Heresies
Elizabeth McKenzie: The Portable Veblen
Hannah Rothschild: The Improbability of Love
Hanya Yanagihara: A Little Life
If you would like to start reading one of the shortlisted books but aren’t sure where to start then here is a video from author and book blogger Jen Campbell about the books in the shortlist which might direct your choice.
Ballymena Waterstones Bookclub have already tackled The Green Road by Anne Enright, and I have copies of The Portable Veblen, which sounds brilliant, and A Little Life, which I am less excited about given the dark subject matter, ready to read. I will hopefully pick up a few other titles but will definitely being looking forward to reading the winner of the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction.