Book of the Year - Discover

The Discover award continues to amplify books from under-represented writers, with a particular focus on the work of indie presses. This shortlist boasts six important books, from cookery to memoir, history and fiction.

Winner

Lessons From Our Ancestors

Raksha Dave, illustrated by Kimberlie Clinthorne-Wong

Magic Cat

Archaeologist Raksha Dave's Lessons From Our Ancestors, a vital exploration of forgotten histories and peoples, and what archaeological finds tell us about the way they lived, impressed the judges. "It is an important book for children and for the future", said one judge; "it needs to be under every Christmas tree and in every school library", declared another. Dave's expertise, combined with "beautiful" illustrations from Kimberlie Clinthorne-Wong, created a winning title for indie Magic Cat, which ran a harmonious campaign reflecting the title's ethos, organising a museum tour in which children were encouraged to handle artefacts, and partnering with the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education, as well as securing review space in archaeology magazines and coverage on BBC Radio 4's "Loose Ends". This book was "something special", our judges agreed.

The Shortlist

A Bollywood State of Mind

Sunny Singh

Footnote Press

Sunny Singh’s socio-cultural history of India, its cinemas and performance traditions was published as Footnote Press’ lead autumn non-fiction title last year. A Bollywood State of Mind was backed with an inventive rickshaw proof-drop, a cinema screening and a special appearance at the Mayor of London’s Diwali on the Square celebrations in Trafalgar Square. Pop art-style assets online stimulated word-of-mouth buzz, while a Spotify playlist curated by Singh rolled out pre-publication.

April’s Garden

Isla McGuckin, illustrated by Catalina Echeverri

Graffeg

Longlisted for the Carnegie Medal for Illustration 2023 and selected as one of the Children’s Books Ireland’s picture books for 2023, April’s Garden is the debut from Isla McGuckin, who appeared on last year’s “New Voices” panel at the Children’s Books Ireland International Conference. Exploring poverty, homelessness and displacement, the story is sensitively illustrated by Catalina Echeverri and published with teaching notes to provide discussion points in classrooms.

Imad’s Syrian Kitchen

Imad Alarnab, illustrated by Evi-O.Studio

HQ

Imad Alarnab’s strikingly designed cookbook offers more than just recipes from the author’s homeland, also featuring essays reflecting on his life. HQ’s PPC-shortlisted campaign worked with The Unmistakables agency and secured broadcast and print publicity, including a slot on “Saturday Kitchen” on publication week. Imad’s Syrian Kitchen was selected as one of the Times’ best cookery books of the year and is one of the top 10 cookery debuts of 2023.

Lessons from Our Ancestors

Raksha Dave, illustrated by Kimberlie

Clinthorne-Wong

Magic Cat

Archaeologist Raksha Dave spotlights forgotten histories and misrepresented stories in Lessons from Our Ancestors, her debut picture book. Dave added a personal touch by including 50 objects in the book that she has dug up and examined in archaeological sites across the world. Kimberlie Clinthorne-Wong's evocative illustrations amplify the text. Magic Cat organised a museum tour to galvanise interest and partnered with the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education for the cover reveal.

Pageboy: A Memoir

Elliot Page

Doubleday

Acquired in a 16-publisher auction, Pageboy found a home at Doubleday after editor Bobby Mostyn-Owen filmed a personal video for Elliot Page. Author care was at the heart of the sensitive publicity campaign: journalists and producers were vetted, provided with a style guide and a list of no-go topics. Doubleday also championed queer independent bookshops, which received signed copies, and ran a pre-order competition with the Queer Lit bookshop.

Sunburn

Chloe Michelle Howarth

VERVE Books

Chloe Michelle Howarth’s debut novel Sunburn, a coming-of-age Sapphic story set in 1990s Ireland, was VERVE's lead summer title last year and backed with a creative campaign including an inaugural blogger event, proof posts with bracelet packages and a partnership with clothing shop Lucy & Yak. Sunburn went on to be shortlisted for the Debut Fiction Nero Book Award and sales far exceeded the original print run.