Rewarded Reading

I went through a phase, somewhere near the end of secondary school, when I was obsessed with reading award winning fiction. It started when I read Possession for the first time in 1994; it won the Booker in 1990. I made up all these lists and started reading with zeal. I fell off the wagon about a month later and have looked back on that industrious period somewhat longingly. I've had to face the fact, with a twinge of guilt, that I'm just not that directed a reader. For those among you who are more disciplined than I, click here for the shortlist for the National Book Awards. Incidentally, the winner of the Booker will be announced in one week's time. Click here for that short list.