“A moving excavation of a family’s secrets”
Two British Asian authors have had their books shortlisted in separate categories for the 2021 Costa Book Awards.
Arifa Akbar’s Consumed: A Sister’s Story is one of four books that has been selected in the Biography category.
Meanwhile, novel The Crossing by Manjeet Mann has been shortlisted in the Children’s Book category of the awards.
Published by Spectre, Consumed: A Sister’s Story was released on June 10, 2021, and received rave reviews.
The biography follows now journalist Akbar’s childhood quest to understand her sibling in a journey from London to Lahore.
The judging panel for the book includes fellow British Asian and investigative journalist, Manveen Rana.
It is also made up of Waterstones senior manager, Jonathan Green and novelist, biographer and journalist, Andrew Wilson.
The judges referred to Akbar’s Consumed: A Sister’s Story as:
“A moving excavation of a family’s secrets.”
Mann’s The Crossing tells the story of two children from opposite worlds who meet after a twist of fate, providing them with hope.
Published by Penguin on June 3, 2021, and also highly acclaimed, it reflects the real tragedies of the refugee crisis.
The judging panel for the children’s category includes fellow British Asian and bestselling author, Smriti Hall.
It is also comprised of The Little Ripon Bookshop owner, Gill Edwards and school librarian, writer and podcaster, Lucas Maxwell.
They referred to the book as:
“Powerful, intelligent and emotive.”
The panel added: “It demonstrates in its very fabric just how little truly separates us.”
While this is Arifa Akbar’s debut book, it is actress, director and female empowerment group founder Manjeet Mann’s second.
She previously released the children’s novel, Run, Rebel, on March 5, 2020, which was also published by Penguin.
Launched in 1971, the Costa Book Awards celebrate the most enjoyable books of the year written by British and Irish authors.
It is one of the most prestigious prizes in the industry and is uniquely comprised of just five categories.
There are First Novel, Novel, Poetry, Biography and Children’s Book with one entry selected as the overall Costa Book of the Year.
The winners of each category will be announced on January 4, 2022, marking the 50th anniversary of the awards.
The Costa Book of the Year author will then receive a £30,000 cheque, with this year’s winner set to be announced at the awards ceremony on February 1, 2022.
Loading ...