Costa Book Awards 2019 – Shortlist

A historical fiction novel that documents the hiring of Bram Stoker to manage a theater where he ends up penning his novel, Dracula. The book is set in a London shaken by the crimes of Jack the Ripper.

“An ingenious novel. O Connor’s work is hugely impressive and utterly haunting” – The Sunday Mirror

A psychological fiction novel about a couple who move to London to help one of them confront the mental health issues they are facing. In London, their relationship will be tested even further.

“An exquisite rendering of love, sadness, and misunderstanding. I want to share this book with everyone I know.” – Spencer Quong

This novel explores intimate family life and its strength in the most difficult of circumstances. Tobi and Ella have a history back in Berlin that is shrouded in mystery. Going back to Berlin – what will they uncover?

“Devastating and beautifully written, funny, and life-affirming.” – Waterstones

Taking place on the outskirts of Birmingham and London, the book tracks a wide range of characters who are experiencing the transformation of society around them.

“Coe’s witty and knowing satire exposes the deepest feelings of a bunch of entertaining Brits facing an uncomfortable future – in a world very like our own.” – People Magazine

With this ex-wife having moved on and an ever increasingly troubled relationship with his son, Brian Bilston decides to write a poem a day for a year. However, his poetry nemesis, Toby Salt, goes missing and Brian is the number one suspect.

“Glorious. I will be astonished if I read a more original, more inventive, or funnier novel this year.” – Adam Kay

A story of Queenie Jenkins, a 25-year-old Jamaican British woman living in London who goes looking for love and finds something very different in its place. Described as Bridget Jones’ Diary meets Americanah.

“A must-read novel about sex, selfhood, and the best friendships that get is through it all” – Candance Bushnell

The tale of August Hope, a young girl who feels like she has never fit in. As an adult, Augusta encounters an unspeakable tragedy that propels her headfirst into the unknown. She embarks on a mission to find where she belongs.

“The most gutsy, endearing and entertaining meditation on the meaning of human existence that you’re ever likely to read.” – Deborah Orr

In this historical thriller, a servant and former slave is accused of murdering her employer and wife. The story spans from a Jamaican sugar plantation to the streets of Georgian London.

“There is lots to love in this impressive debut. Sara Collins is interesting on race and power. Frannie is an unforgettable character with a delicious, wicked turn of phrase. Collins is a star in the making.” – The Times

Laura Cumming delves into the mystery surrounding her mother’s disappearance, and in doing so – uncovers a mystery almost a century old.

“On Chapel Sands is much more than a search for truth. It is a moving, many-sided human story of great depth and tenderness, and a revelation of how art enriches life. In short, a masterpiece.” – The Sunday Times

This biography explores the inspiring and devastating story of Marie Colvin. Colvin was the foremost war reporter of her generation and was sadly killed in Syria in 2012 and lived an incredible life in which she repeatedly put herself in danger to be able to report on world events.

“What ultimately emerges from In Extremis is a generous, complicated, brave, vivacious, fully alive woman, consummately committed to her work.” – Stephanie Sy-Quia

Adam Nicolson embeds himself in the reality of what is regarded to be the most famous year in English poetry – June 1797 to September 1978. A year that would see celebrated work by Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth.

“A fabulous book! Passionate, original, intensely personal, and thrillingly observant. Adam Nicolson has achieved a total immersion in the Romantic Poet’s world.” – Richard Holmes

The Volunteer tells the quite remarkable story of a Polish resistance fighter who attempts to infiltrate Auschwitz and sabotage the camp from within. The story remained almost unknown in the world, until now.

“Superbly written and breathtakingly researched. Fairweather has dug up a story of incalculable value and delivered it to us in the most compelling prose I have read in a long time.” – Sebastian Junger

The debut is an original exploration of the black British archive: an enquiry into the New Cross Fire of 1981, a house fire at a birthday party in south London in which 13 young black people were killed.

“A sad and angry consolation, alert to the past. Surge is a mature work, with lyricism both poetic and pop. One of British poetry’s most distinctive new voices.” – Tristram Fane Saunders

Known as one of the leading English poets writing today. In this collection, Farley is interested in the peripheral and marginal – the birds and fauna that you miss.

“You can never predict how – or where – a Paul Farley poem is going to land. Farley does not let his poetic mastery mask the possibility that technology is mastering him – and us.” – Kate Kellaway

John McCullough blends raw emotion, acute social observation and sharp wit to capture the gay male experience. In what is considered his most powerful collection, the poems demonstrate skill, joy and quiet masculinity.

“The poetry of reckless flight is joyful – it offers freedom and life, in contrast to the suffering and frailty of the body.” – Maria Taylor

This cross-linguistic pun presents the queer, non-white body as both vulnerable and weaponised, and evokes the difficulties of reconciling one’s need for safety alongside the desire to shed one’s protective armour in order to fully embrace the world.

“Sparkling and vulnerable. The arrival of an essential new voice.” – Sarah Howe

The latest novel in the Noughts and Crosses series takes place 34 years since the two main characters met each other. Life is different now but it won’t be long before someones finds themself in danger.

“The Noughts and Crosses series are still my favourite books of all time and showed me just how amazing storytelling could be.” – Stormzy

The story follows 14-year-old Cadmus, whose life is turned upside down by a secret message he receives. This catapults him into an adventure that leads all the way to Emperor Nero himself.

“A rip-roaring yarn set in Ancient Rome. Told with lashings of wit and spirit, Bowling’s thrilling novel is perfect for fans of Rick Riordan and Maz Evans.” – Waterstones

A remarkable story of a girl who burns with anger for reasons she doesn’t understand. Pushing her fury down doesn’t make it disappear, instead – it simmers below the surface, ready to erupt.

“This beautiful rumination on the relationships between mothers and daughters should be on every woman’s reading list.” – Buzzfeed

On a mission to go and find her Father, Asha heads out on an incredible and dangerous adventure that will see her cross mountains and face a collection of immovable obstacles. However, she finds comfort in knowing that the spirit bird of her grandmother is watching her all the way.

“Immerse yourself in a lush world of spirit birds, mango trees, snow leopards and majestic mountains in a sumptuous and sizzling debut novel. It’s guaranteed to win the hearts and minds of middle-grade readers.” – Lancashire Evening Post