It was November 2017 when we brought you the Costa Book Awards shortlist 2017, and now the judges have decided the winning books from each category. The Costa Awards are given to books that not only have high literary merit, but those that are enjoyable to read and whose aim is to convey enjoyment of reading to the widest possible audience and this makes the winners big news for readers.

Every year since 1971 the Costa Awards (formerly the Whitbread Awards) gives prizes for the best novel, the best debut, best biography, poetry and children’s books, awarding authors across all literary characters and on 2nd January this year’s winners were announced as follows:

Costa Book Award: Novel

Reservoir 13 – Jon McGregor

Reservoir 13 has been one of the big thrillers of 2017, shortlisted for several awards. Enthralling, disturbing and quite brilliant, you’ll have a hard time putting this one down.

Reservoir 13 US
Reservoir 13 UK

Costa Book Award: First Novel

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine – Gail Honeyman

This excellent debut has spoken to so many people this year, the life of an outsider as told through the eyes of Eleanor Oliphant. A beautiful story and a stunning debut.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine US
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine UK

Costa Book Award: Biography

In the Days of Rain – Rebecca Stott

Rebecca Stott was raised by a fundamentalist sect in the UK known as the Exclusive Brethren. After her father’s death she studied the Brethren family, discovering her roots. This is her story and it’s a stunning biography.

In the Days of Rain US
In the Days of Rain UK

Costa Book Award: Poetry

Inside the Wave – Helen Dunmore

2017 saw the loss of several authors, one of them Helen Dunmore who was awarded several posthumous awards this year for her poetry collection Inside the Wave.

Inside the Wave US
Inside the Wave UK