For the Love of Books

Last month the Longlists for the Stella Prize and the Women’s Prize were both announced. Love or hate book awards, they certainly help promote reading and often can lead us to incredible books or Authors we may not have come across on our own. 

The Stella Prize was created in 2012 and celebrates Australian women and non-binary writers. I was lucky enough to be gifted the 12 longlisted books and have worked my way through 7 so far. Of those 7 (full reviews @sarahsbookchat) it’s hard to pick a favourite. Each one has been brilliant – from the quiet unassuming look at the grief of losing a child in The Burrow, to the scathing insight into our biased Australian media in Black Witness, to the streets of Palestine in Cactus Pear for my Beloved, each story not only entertains but teaches us something along the way. I don’t envy the judges having to pick the Shortlist and eventual winner.  

The Women’s Prize has been around for 30 years now and showcases women writers from across the globe. The Longlist consists of 16 genre-spanning books, many of which explore world events both past and present that impact woman. I have only read 4 of the 16 so far – The Ministry of Time, All Fours, Nesting, and The Safekeep. Of those, I feel the latter 2 have a good chance of making the Shortlist (announced this month). Nesting would be my stand out. A heart in your throat insight into domestic abuse, particularly coercive control.  

Do you have a favourite Literary Award? Come chat @sarahsbookchat 😊  

Happy Reading!

Author: Sarah Krause