The year 2018 has been fascinating for female writers. A year since #MeToo, there has been a noticeable, pivotal shift in the rallying cries of some remarkable women – both in life and on the page. We’ve always used our voices, but we’re shouting louder; demanding that change is no longer just spoken about, but acted upon too. And when it comes to the writing of words, I’ve felt privileged to see so many amazing books by immensely talented female authors land on my desk. So many, that, in fact, that it became harder and harder to make a selection for IMAGE Magazine – having to whittle down a curated edit of few titles. A good complaint if there ever was one.
So, it was with no surprise that the winners of the 2018 An Post Irish Book Awards were dominated by only some of these female authors. In fact, women authors dominated the winners list for the first time ever.
Related: #IMAGEReads: 4 Irish books made for curling up with during rainy weather
Now in its 13th year, the awards ceremony took place in Dublin’s Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, and naturally, some talented male authors were also awarded, with Roger O’Reilly, Diarmuid Johnson and Peter Donnelly among the winners. Renowned Irish poet Thomas Kinsella was also announced as the recipient of the Bob Hughes Lifetime Achievement Award.
But it was the woman who shone; writers such as Sally Rooney, Liz Nugent, Emilie Pine, Emer McLysaght & Sarah Breen, Cora Staunton, Sarah Webb and Lynn Ruane took home prizes for their acclaimed books (all of which, I can attest were brilliantly worthy winners, having read them) at the awards held on Tuesday evening, while the family of the late Emma Hannigan accept a special award on her behalf.
If you’re looking for a reading list over Christmas, the below winner’s titles are a heck of a good place to start:
TheJournal.ie Best Irish Published Book of the Year Winner
National Book Tokens Children’s Book of the Year (Junior)
National Book Tokens Children’s Book of the Year (Senior)
Dept 51@ Eason Teen / Young Adult Book of the Year
Eason Book Club Novel of the Year
Specsavers Popular Fiction Book of the Year
Irish Independent Crime Fiction Book of the Year
Sunday Independent Newcomer of the Year
Onside Non-Fiction Book of the Year
Ireland AM Popular Non-Fiction Book of the Year
EUROSPAR Cookbook of the Year
Bord Gáis Energy Sports Book of the Year
RTÉ Radio 1’s The Ryan Tubridy Show Listeners’ Choice Award
Listowel Writers’ Week Irish Poem of the Year
Writing,ie Short Story of the Year
The Love Leabhar Gaeilge Irish Language Book of the Year
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