Winners named in Costa Book Awards
5th January 2011
The winners of the five categories in the Costa Book Awards 2010 have been named, opening the competition for the coveted book of the year title.
Former journalist Maggie O'Farrell took home the novel prize for her The Hand That First Held Mine, while Kishwar Desai was handed the first novel accolade for Witness the Night.
Meanwhile, ceramic artist Edmund de Waal won the biography category prize with The Hare With Amber Eyes, Jo Shapcott scooped the poetry award for Of Mutability and debut writer Jason Wallace triumphed in the children's book section with Out of Shadows.
John Derkach, managing director of Costa, commented: 'The Costa Book Awards are all about recognising great writing and a good read. This year's winners are, as always, no exception to the rule.'
Works shortlisted in the individual categories included Skippy Dies by Paul Murray, How to Live by Sarah Bakewell, The Wrecking Light by Robin Robertson and Sharon Dogar's Annexed.
The overall winner of the Costa Book Awards 2010 will be confirmed on January 25th. Last year, the title was taken by Christopher Reid's poetry collection A Scattering.