This week, in a ceremony hosted by BBC News presenter Mishal Husain, the annual Books Are My Bag Readers Awards were announced. From the incredible shortlist, book-lovers across the country have voted for their favourite.

The Readers Choice Award went to Adam Kay’s This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctors, which also won the Non-Fiction award.  After winning the Non-Fiction award in 2016 for Reasons to Stay Alive, Matt Haig appears again winning Popular Fiction with How To Stop Time.

For the first time, the children’s categories were voted for by children and the winners of the categories were: Letters from the Lighthouse by Emma Carroll and The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.

The Breakthrough Author award went to the poet Kate Tempest for her debut novel, The Bricks that Built the Houses and the Novel award went to Colson Whitehead for The Underground Railroad.

The Beautiful Book of the year was awarded to The Lost Words, a stunning book by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris.

POPULAR FICTION:

How to Stop Time | Matt Haig

A bittersweet story told with compassion and a gentle humour about losing and finding yourself, the certainty of change and living for the now.

NON-FICTION:

This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor | Adam Kay

An honest, funny, eye-opening book about the moral decisions and responsibilities of the overworked doctors in the NHS. An incredible combination of humour and the reality of what we expect from our doctors.

NOVEL:

The Underground Railroad | Colson Whitehead

Powerful, compelling and gut-wrenching portrayal of the slave trade in America. The figurative railroad follows the journey of Cora, a Slave in Georgia. Appalling brutality and internal historical reality of the slave experience.

MIDDLE GRADE (7-11):

Letters from the Lighthouse | Emma Carroll

Set in 1941, Letters from the Lighthouse follows the story of Olive and Cliff and their evacuation to Devon follow months of bombing in London. A story of love, teamwork and bravery. Very moving and a fantastic read for all ages.

YA (12-18):

The Hate U Give | Angie Thomas

One of those rare books that is both important, socially and politically, and also emotionally-charged and gripping. An unforgettable book that gives reveals astounding racial bias and white privilege. Brilliant characters, powerful words.

BREAKTHROUGH AUTHOR:

The Bricks that Built the Houses | Kate Tempest

A raw, captivating book about yearning for more in life. Written by the poet/rapper, Kate Tempest, it is beautifully written account of urban London life – and the loneliness and connections that it entails.

BEAUTIFUL BOOK:

The Lost Words | Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris

A book to take time over, to relish and to read aloud. Moving away from the screen-based nature of our life, to a call to see extraordinary and ordinary world around us. Beautiful illustrations that complement the flowing prose.

To get hold of any of the books mentioned on this post you can order from us here.