The Prize Winning Books of 2024

Here I discuss the 2024 winners of 26 different book awards with descriptions and reflections on all these books. Click ‘Show More’ for info & links.

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Books discussed & purchase links:

Brotherless Night by VV Ganeshananthan

Doppelganger by Naomi Klein

Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon

The Gallopers by Jon Ransom
Bellies by Nicola Dinan

You Are Here by David Nicholls
Abroad in Japan by Chris Broad
Lobster: and other things I'm learning to love by Hollie McNish

an post Irish Book Awards (Author of the Year, Eason Novel of the Year, Popular Fiction)
Heart, Be at Peace
Frankie by Graham Norton

LA Times Books Prize for Fiction
Same Bed Different Dreams by Ed Park

Parade by Rachel Cusk

Language City: The Fight to Preserve Endangered Mother Tongues by Ross Perlin

Jhalak Prize
Anansi's Gold by Yepoka Yeebo

Scotland's National Book Awards
Thunderclap by Laura Cumming

Thunderclap by Laura Cumming
The Home Child by Liz Berry

Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award

Weatherglass Novella Prize
Aerth by Deborah Tomkins

Stella Prize
Praiseworthy by Alexis Wright

Giller Prize

Forward Prizes for Poetry
with my back to the world by Victoria Chang

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
2:00 Nobel Prize for Literature
4:26 Booker Prize
5:55 International Booker Prize
7:47 Women's Prize for Fiction
9:18 Women's Prize for NonFiction
10:23 Pulitzer Prize
11:32 National Book Award for Fiction
12:58 Dublin Literary Award
14:57 Orwell Prize for Political Fiction
16:27 Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize
18:44 Polari Book Prizes
20:11 Books Are My Bag Readers Awards
21:48 an post Irish Book Awards
23:34 LA Times Books Prize for Fiction
24:06 Goldsmiths Prize
25:01 The British Academy Book Prize
25:47 Jhalak Prize
26:10 Scotland's National Book Awards
27:19 The Writer's Prize
28:41 Nero Book Awards
29:23 Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award
30:07 The Wilber Smith Adventure Writing Prize
31:00 Weatherglass Novella Prize
32:13 Stella Prize
33:08 Giller Prize
34:31 Forward Prizes for Poetry
35:22 Conclusion

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Get in touch

[chambersstevens]

I have really enjoyed following u this year. I have learned so much. Keep up the good work.

[Ali-AvidReader]

Really enjoyed this awards summary, thank you!

[jamesduggan]

At least two of those [Orbital & Kairos] are on my 2025 tbr (and I do tend to read what's on my list), with a few other big maybes - like Bee Sting. I heard about them here so I thank you for that, and of course Have a Happy New Year.

[isaacq]

Wow, talk about a tremendously valuable video. I love that you're on top of all these literary scenes, and in addition to the winning titles, I look forward to exploring the shortlists for all these different awards.

[ChrisSenM]

Really interesting! Thank you for this award summary! Definitely a few that are new to me.

[Nastya-readsandlifts]

Very useful summary! Thank you! I always enjoy your reviews, they are greatly appreciated.

Read 6 (from worst experience to best: Held, Orbital, Doppelgänger, James, Glorious Exploits, My Friends), and 7 more are on my tbr.

[juanquintana]

Thank you Eric. That was an excellent review of 2024. A way of enjoy reading through prizes.

[Marsi-]

Thank you again & again, Eric. It seems we have very similar taste so I’m planning to read Solenoid over the holidays.

[kimswhims]

Great video, I've read 11, and a couple of the shortlists/longlists, I've been a real prize groupie this year. Happy Reading 😀

[Rosiemayj]

I have read and really enjoyed 11 of these wonderful books, looking forward to reading Thunderclap, and The Vegetarian next 😊

[doreene]

Great idea you had with this video! 👌📚🏆🥇📚

[Sunshinysky]

Have you read Han Kang’s, “Greek Lessons”? A beautiful exploration of language, the senses and human connection.

[lindysmagpiereads]

My reading tastes are almost perfectly aligned with literary prize juries because many of the books you’ve talked about here are among my top reads of 2024. I’m thinking of making a “My top books of 2024 that HAVEN’T won any awards” video.😅

[maroramos]

I really liked this! (can I ask for another one with the genre fiction prizes? pretty please? ❤)

[kv]

I've read James and Orbital. Planning to read Solenoid next year.

[ΛΕΜΟΝΙΑΤΑΣΟΥΛΑ]

I am currently reading the vegetarian. It is a beautiful book!

[relatedsimple]

Bellies is a fantastic book! I’d really recommend it

[judybrown]

Maybe follow The Carol Shields Prize instead of the Giller this year.

[indrazneste]

From these books I have read “My Friends” (loved it), “James” (was ok but not the best for me) and “Kairos” (didn’t like it at all). Thanks for the videos. 😊

[Sujowi]

Thank you for this. So what are you writing, Eric?