I've Still Got Two Years...

The Man Booker Prize was announced today in London, and the winner is (drum roll please) Aravind Adiga for his novel The White Tiger. It is his debut novel, and he was also the youngest author on the shortlist at 33 years old. The book sounds fascinating; it's the story of the two Indias - the rural poor in contrast to the booming economy that we're all hearing about. Yet another book on the list to read - does it never end?

The Dark Horse Takes It

The Man Booker Prize was awarded today to Anne Enright, for her novel The Gathering. It wasn't a heavy favourite in the betting. I haven't read it yet, but I think I'll add it to my list. I was sort of pulling for Nicola Barker's Darkmans, because it sounds so interesting and it's higher on my To Read List, but hey, you win some, you lose some.

LINK

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.