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THE WOMAN ON THE LEDGE by Ruth Mancini has been chosen as one of six titles on the Richard & Judy Book Club. The six books in this brand new WHSmith Book Club selection include compulsive thrillers and twisty mysteries selected by Richard & Judy themselves.

Ella Frears's debut novel GOODLORD: AN EMAIL has been shortlisted for The Forward Prize for Petry 2024. The Forward Prizes for Poetry are the most influential awards for new poetry in the UK and Ireland, honouring fresh voices alongside internationally established names. First awarded in 1992, over the last three decades the prizes have celebrated some of the most recognised names in poetry including Simon Armitage, Thom Gunn, Seamus Heaney, Ted Hughes, Carol Ann Duffy, Claudia Rankine, Jackie Kay and Caleb Femi.

On Thursday 13th June 2024, Roy Foster, Chair of Judges, announced that MONET: THE RESTLESS VISION, published by Allen Lane, had won the ELHB 2024 Prize. Flora Fraser, Chair of the Prize, presented winning author Jackie Wullschläger with a cheque for £5,000 and a bound copy of Elizabeth Longford’s memoir, The Pebbled Shore. The Judges are all well-known historical biographers and historians. Antonia and Flora Fraser are also, respectively, daughter and granddaughter of Elizabeth Longford, the distinguished historical biographer and author of Victoria: RI, of Wellington: Years of the Sword and of Wellington: Pillar of State, who died at the age of 96 in 2002. Roy Foster on Jackie Wullschläger’s winning biography, Monet: The Restless Vision (Allen Lane):"The Judges cast a wide net for the 2024 Prize, choosing books which profiled various kinds of transformative lives: people who crossed barriers to change history, often in ways no less decisive for being discreet, whether they were philosophers, codebreakers, politicians or diplomats. In the end we chose a masterly biography of an artist who transformed the way we see things. Jackie Wullschläger’s life of Claude Monet is not only an enthralling portrait of a powerful personality; she shows how the ‘restlessness’ pinpointed in her subtitle drove Monet to reformulate memory and time in his great serial paintings. The process culminated with the legendary water-lilies series, but Wullschläger’s deeply-researched book traces the development of his vision back to its origins. She surveys and illuminates a complex and passionate personal life, and the networks of friendship and affinity which connected him to the worlds of Clemenceau, Bergson and Proust, as well as the fellowship of other Impressionists. Her biography not only shows the development of a revolutionary artistic vision and the slow process of understanding it; she sets the process against a brilliant evocation of the rich and multi-layered world of French culture in the late nineteenth century and belle époque. Historically insightful, psychologically perceptive, and consummately readable, Monet: The Restless Vision fulfilled everything the Judges of the Elizabeth Longford Prize look for in ground-breaking historical biography." Founded in 2003 by Flora Fraser and Peter Soros (Patron) to commemorate her late grandmother’s writing career, the Elizabeth Longford Prize for Historical Biography rewards annually a historical biography which combines scholarship and narrative drive. Previous winners include Anne Somerset’s Queen Anne, John Bew’s Citizen Clem: A Biography of Attlee, Giles Tremlett’s Isabella of Castile: Europe’s First Great Queen and Ramachandra Guha’s Rebels Against the Raj: Western Fighters for India’s Freedom.

NEON ROSES by Rachel Dawson has been shortlisted for The Society of Authors Betty Trask Prize. This award is presented for a first novel by a writer under 35. Judge Anjali Joseph said: "The shortlist this year includes several historical novels, and a few that take elements of classics – Moby Dick, Frankenstein – and make them into something new. All of the shortlisted novels delighted us with their freshness and each had a voice that was distinctively and recognisably its own." Judged by Anjali Joseph, Michael Donkor and Alex Preston.

Faber will reissue P. D. James’ Adam Dalgliesh mystery series, in groups of five books at a time in August and November 2024, and February 2025. The covers for the new editions are designed by Robbie Porter and described by the publisher as the “perfect reintroduction to a legend”. Publication will be supported by a wide-reaching marketing and publicity campaign, with contemporary authors discussing P D James’ work and legacy over the next year, starting at CrimeFest, where she was the “Ghost of Honour”. “P. D. James sets the standard for modern crime writing,” said Faber’s crime editor, Sara Helen Binney. “Every time I go back to the Adam Dalgliesh series I find something new, and it’s the honour of my career to work with the wildly talented team here to reissue these 14 novels as the classics they are.” "P. D. James took the classic crime novel and turned up the dial. The murders Dalgliesh investigates provide complex, arresting narratives, but it is James’ probing of the institutions in which they occur that makes her work of lasting significance." - MICK HERRON

CLARA AND OLIVIA by Lucy Ashe has been shortlisted for The Crime Writers Association Historical Dagger Award! This award is for the best historical crime novel, first published in the UK in English during the judging period, set in any period up to 50 years prior to the year in which the award will be made. For novels that involve passages set later than this time period, at least three quarters of the book should be set in an earlier period.

NEON ROSES by Rachel Dawson has been shortlisted for the Wales Book of the Year Award for English Language Fiction. Each year, the Wales Book of the Year Award celebrates talented Welsh writers who excel in diverse literary forms in both Welsh and English. There are four categories in both languages – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction and Children and Young People, with one of the category winners going on to win the Overall Award and claiming the title, Wales Book of the Year. Leusa Llewelyn, Artistic Director of Literature Wales, said: “What a feast the shortlists selected by this year’s judges present. Twenty-four books by experienced and new writers, each presenting a different aspect on Welsh literature. It is impossible to summarize so many books, and so many authors – I would encourage you to read them all, each and every one! Congratulations to all the shortlisted writers for your achievement and for entertaining us. We look forward to seeing you all at the Wales Book of the Year Award Ceremony at the Galeri, Caernarfon in July.” NEON ROSES is one of three shortlisted books for The Rhys Davies Trust Fiction Award.

From Antony Topping, CJ Sansom's agent: "It is with enormous sadness that we announce the death of CJ Sansom, a writer it has been our privilege to represent since publication of his first novel, DISSOLUTION, more than twenty years ago. Chris was first introduced to the agency by another of our authors, herself a legend in crime fiction, PD James. Chris had sent some early chapters of DISSOLUTION to PD James who picked up on his talent and posted the chapters to us. If I remember correctly she wrote a cover note saying something characteristically understated like “I think there might be something here…”, and she wasn’t wrong. DISSOLUTION introduced us to Chris’ most famous protagonist, Tudor lawyer Matthew Shardlake, and, following DISSOLUTION in the same series, Chris went on to write the international bestsellers DARK FIRE, SOVEREIGN, REVELATION, HEARTSTONE, LAMENTATION, and TOMBLAND and also the standalone thrillers, equally successful, WINTER IN MADRID and DOMINION. Chris did not seek the limelight, preferring to be known through his novels, and so in comparison with his fame and reputation relatively few people were lucky enough to know the person behind the work. He had an immense, far-reaching and deeply humane intelligence. His fans can see this in the novels but he applied it equally in his everyday dealings with friends, his politics and his charitable acts. He had a loathing of injustice of any kind and a special contempt for bullies. At the same time he had a joyful and piercing sense of humour which he would spring on you, with an attempt at a straight face, when you were least expecting it. I already cherish the memories of my visits to his house where we would discuss his latest novel-in-progress – but also the latest HBO series, the latest harmful nonsense emanating from the Government, the latest geopolitical breezes coming our way from abroad which Chris always analysed with the long and sure eye of a world-class historian – but I think I will remember best the laughter we enjoyed together. It is an extraordinarily strange coincidence that Chris has died only a handful of days before a new generation of fans will meet Matthew Shardlake, Barak and Guy and co. for the first time through the Disney+ adaptation of DISSOLUTION which is being released on Wednesday of this week. This is also a moment for which Chris’ established fans have been waiting a long time. Chris was so proud of all the work and determination that went into bringing the novels to our television screens, which I hope will bring an entirely new audience to the books and which will maybe also inspire some old fans to return to their favourite CJ Sansom novels. So long, Chris. We were lucky to know you.”

After announcing the series last year, Disney+ has released the first official trailer for SHARDLAKE, based on C. J. Sansom's best-selling Tudor murder mystery novels. The four-part series, produced out of the UK, stars Arthur Hughes as an unlikely detective tasked with uncovering a murder at a 16th century monastery. It comes from Banijay-owned producer The Forge and Runaway Fridge. The trailer opens with Hughes (Then Barbara Met Alan) as the titular Shardlake, saying “Why, in this house of God, do I smell secrets and fear?” as the camera pans in on a dark monastery near the British coast. Bells ring ominously and dark music plays as its revealed there has been a murder that he must solve. Shardlake is a lawyer with an acute sense of justice and one of the few honest men in a world beset with scheming and plots, charged by Henry VIII’s powerful ally Thomas Cromwell (Sean Bean) to investigate the murder of one of his commissioners at a monastery in the remote town of Scarnsea. With Crowell’s political survival hanging on him solving the case, Cromwell leaves him in no doubt failure is not an option and orders the cocky Jack Barak (Anthony Doyle) to accompany Shardlake, whose is cruelly known as “crookback” due to his condition as a person living with scoliosis. The series also stars Babou Ceesay as Abbot Fabian, Paul Kaye as Brother Jerome, Ruby Ashbourne Serkis as Alice, Peter Firth as Norfolk, Matthew Steer as Goodhap, Brian Vernel as Brother Mortimus, Irfan Shamji as Brother Guy, David Pearse as Brother Edwig, Miles Barrow as Brother Gabriel, Mike Noble as Bugge and Kimberley Nixon as Joan. Watch the trailer here.

Sarah Waters has contributed a story to the 100th anniversary of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House at Windsor Castle. One of the great wonders of the Dolls’ House is its Library, which captured the literary culture of the 1920s through miniature books penned by the era’s foremost writers, from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Vita Sackville-West to A. A. Milne and Thomas Hardy. Now, in an anniversary initiative championed by Her Majesty The Queen, twenty leading writers and illustrators have contributed handwritten manuscripts to establish a modern-day miniature library, once again providing a snapshot of contemporary literature in Britain. The new manuscripts range from short stories, poetry collections and illustrated tales to plays, articles and recipes, many inspired by the Dolls’ House or written specially for the occasion. Each manuscript, measuring just 4.5cm high, has been hand-bound with a unique cover by a leading designer-bookbinder. The miniature books, which will become part of the Royal Collection, and including Underhand House: part one by Sarah Waters, can be seen throughout 2024 in the special display at Windsor Castle. Sarah’s story was bound by Christopher Shaw. Find out more about the 100th anniversary celebrations and the modern-day miniature library here.

Lydia Davis's sensational short story collection Our Strangers has been chosen as the 2023 Booksop.org Indie Champions Award Winner for Fiction! Bookshop.org annually recognise the top individuals and organisations that have supported independent bookshops within the past year. Prior to the book's publication, in a landmark move, Davis stated that OUR STRANGERS would only available via physical bookshops, Bookshop.org and independent online retailers, and is not available on Amazon. "I am so pleased to have won this award for OUR STRANGERS and to have had a hand in supporting independent bookstores. I do feel that if we don't support our corner indie, it will disappear." - Lydia Davis Watch the Award Winners Video here. OUR STRANGERS was published by Canongate on 5 October 2023 in the UK. Lydia Davis's primary agent is Denise Shannon, Denise Shannon Literary Agency.

"Kevin McCloud, Mary Portas and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall take their personal fight against climate change to the government, demanding change that could unlock a greener future." In the first two episodes, Mary Portas tackles the government subsidies of the oil and gas industry, Kevin McCloud asks why British houses are so shockingly expensive to heat, and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall demands that we stop blocking the cheapest for of energy in the UK: onshore wind. "Ground-breaking television" - The i "Impressively angry TV" - The Guardian "Punchy pugnacious stuff" - The Times "A fight we can all get behind" - Daily Mail Available to watch on Channel 4, first showing on Tuesday 21st November at 9:15pm.

The next book to be featured on the Zoe Ball Radio 2 Book Club is THE DAY WE LEFT by Caroline Bond! Published on 2nd November, Caroline joins Zoe on the show on 7th November 2023. The book was selected with the help of a panel of library staff from across the UK. Here are some of their comments: “I loved this novel, the story was well written with great characters. I could relate heavily with the themes of the novel. Disability, being a lone parent and raising children. We don’t have many stories like this and I felt the author did a good job portraying this. It really shone a much needed light on many issues. I’m not sure how I felt about the ending but I think it seemed like the right ending. I would definitely recommend this to others.” “I was gripped from the very first page of this book. It’s a compulsive and intriguing read. I found it very hard to put down, very much a ‘just one more chapter’ book. The way it was written piques your interest and your curiosity keeps you wanting to know what happens next. It felt like a thriller, a mystery novel but in a softer way. I found myself gasping aloud on more than one occasion. I found myself not wanting to finish the book around the last 50 pages – it took me a couple of extra days to finish it, as I didn’t want it to end – I was so attached to the characters. The characters are so well drawn, they felt real and seeing them evolve over the time jumps was fascinating. The three main characters – Beth, Oli and Joe, all had their own character arcs and developed in one way or another. They were three dimensional, flawed and raw. This is one of those books that I will be recommending to many people and that is the sign of a great book club book! I cannot praise this book enough. I loved it!” The full length interview is available on BBC Sounds.

For Bookshop.org's third birthday, they have announces the Indie Champions Awards Shortlist for 2023. Here, they recognise the top individuals and organisations tat have supported independent bookshops this year. OUR STRANGERS by Lydia Davis was published by Canongate in October 2023 and has been shortlisted for the Indie Champions Award for Fiction. River Cottage GREAT ROASTS by Gelf Alderson was published by Bloomsbury in September 2023 and has been shortlisted for the Indie Champions Award for Lifestyle and Culture. Nicole Vanderbilt, Managing Director of Bookshop.org UK, said: “What a joy it is to shout about the individuals and organisations that have championed independent booksellers the most this year. For our team, it’s empowering to know that a lot of people share our passion for independent bookshops, and our mission to support them and ensure they thrive as a key component of the publishing ecosystem. We’re especially excited to launch our new Content Creator category this year, cementing our increased work with social media platforms and influencers and acknowledging their potential to expand the reach of indie bookshops even further. Huge congratulations to all the shortlistees, and we hope the brilliant work of the Indie Champions inspired even more people to become champions of independent bookshops themselves!” The winners will be announced in January 2024.