Titles from Kuang, Stevens and MacAskill named Blackwell's Books of the Year

Books by R F Kuang, William MacAskill and Robin Stevens have been announced as Blackwell’s Books of the Year.

The titles are voted for by Blackwell’s booksellers who identify the best books in fiction, non-fiction and children’s publishing. 

Kuang’s fantasy novel Babel (HarperVoyager) takes the crown of Fiction Book of the Year. "I am so honoured to be Blackwell’s Fiction Book of the Year – a million thank yous to booksellers, and to readers who have given Babel such a warm welcome," she said.

Natasha Bardon, publishing director HarperVoyager and Magpie Books, added: "We are absolutely delighted that Babel has been picked as the Blackwell’s Book of the Year in the Fiction category. Awards are always wonderful, but awards picked by readers, especially booksellers, are the highest compliment a book can be paid. Rebecca has created a timely and enchanting masterpiece and the reception has been overwhelming." 

Meanwhile, William MacAskill’s What We Owe the Future (Oneworld) has won the non-fiction category.  "I’m absolutely delighted to receive this prize," he said. "I’m a huge admirer of both The Right to Sex (Bloomsbury) by Amia Srinivasan (last year’s winner of the overall Blackwell’s Book of the Year award) and Humankind by Rutger Bregman (Bloomsbury) [2020’s Non-Fiction Book of the Year winner] and I’m honoured that What We Owe the Future is in such incredible company."

Oneworld’s publishing team said: "We could not be prouder to publish William MacAskill, a much-needed thinker for our morally uncertain times. As an independent publisher, we are especially grateful for and motivated by Blackwells’ enthusiasm for ambitious non-fiction such as What We Owe the Future."

The Ministry of Unladylike Activity by Robin Stevens (Puffin) has been named Children’s Book of the Year, 

Francesca Dow, managing director of PRH Children’s, said: “We are so proud and delighted that Blackwell’s have chosen Robin’s wonderful book as their Children’s Book of the Year. Their support for Robin’s books has always been very special and we’re thrilled to see this celebrated.”

The three winning titles are now contenders for the overall Blackwell’s Book of the Year, which will be decided by a bookseller jury. The winner will be announced on 23rd November.

Blackwell’s bookseller Becky Chatwell said: "It’s been a joy to witness booksellers around the country talking about the books that they have most enjoyed reading and recommending to customers, and then nominating those books for this accolade. There really is no greater pleasure than reading – whether it is a case of escaping into other worlds created by exceptional imaginations, or furthering our understanding of life and the world around us, books enhance our existences in extraordinary ways. We wish the three nominated authors good luck in lifting the title of our overall Book of the Year in a few weeks’ time."