Booker Prize launches first competition for book clubs to win ceremony tickets

The Booker Prize is launching its first competition to win seats for the winner’s ceremony in October, inviting book clubs across the country to join the judges as they assess the shortlisted books.  

Six book clubs will be selected by this year’s judging panel, chaired by Neil MacGregor. Representatives from each group will be given an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2022 Booker Prize shortlist party at the Serpentine Gallery in London, where they will be present for the live announcement of the list, and given a copy per member of their allocated book to read and discuss. 

The Booker Prize Book Club Challenge has been launched in partnership with the Reading Agency, which will co-ordinate the entries. Applications are open to book clubs from across the UK, from all backgrounds until 12th August.  

Judges will be looking for the most interesting, passionate and wide-ranging set of readers possible, as well as those willing to shout the loudest about this year’s Booker Prize shortlist on social media so readers everywhere can follow the judging process and enjoy the books. 

In the weeks leading up to the winner announcement, the judges will read and assess all of the six book groups’ social media activity relating to their assigned titles. Two members of the group which, in the judges’ opinion, has provided the most original and engaging reviews will be invited to attend the 2022 Booker Prize ceremony and dinner at the Roundhouse in London on 17th October. 

Gaby Wood, director of the Booker Prize Foundation, said: “In order to protect the nervous systems of the shortlisted authors, it’s essential that the Booker Prize judges’ deliberations remain confidential. But we’ve always wanted to find a way to share the liveliness and excitement of judging meetings with the general public. Now, with the Booker Prize Book Club Challenge, impassioned readers across the country can feel some of that drama. Though they won’t be comparing one book against the others, they’ll each be reading one book closely – which is something the judges do too. By the time the judges decide on a winner, they will have read those six books three times. So to have book clubs read alongside them will be as close to companionship as secret decision-making can get.” 

Karen Napier, c.e.o. of the Reading Agency, added: “We have been a proud supporter of the Booker Prizes for years and are pleased to continue this with the Booker Prize Book Club Challenge. The opportunity for reading groups to immerse themselves in the excitement of the Booker Prize and joy of reading the shortlisted titles, champions our values as a charity. We hope that groups across the UK will want to get involved and that maybe some new groups will form to enjoy this experience together.” 

The Booker longlist will be announced on 26th July, followed by the shortlist at an event at the Serpentine Pavilion on 6th September. The shortlisted authors each receive £2,500 and a specially bound edition of their book. 

The £50,000 winner will be announced on 17th October in an award ceremony held at The Roundhouse. Last year’s winner, Damon Galgut’s The Promise (Chatto), saw a 1,925% sales jump in volume after it won.