Six finalists have been shortlisted for the 2023 ACT Book of the Year Award from 38 eligible nominations received for books published in 2022.
The ACT Book of the Year Award recognises high quality contemporary literary works by Canberra-based authors. This year’s nominations showcase excellent works across the genres of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. All the shortlisted books this time are non-fiction.
ACT Book of the Year 2023 Shortlist:
Dreamers and Schemers, by Frank Bongiorno (La Trobe University Press) – The first full history of Australia, from pre-settlement Indigenous systems to the present day.
“A captivating account of Australia’s political history.”
Shortlisted for the Australian History Prize in the 2023 NSW Premier’s History Awards and for the Scholarly Book of the Year Award 2023 in the Educational Publishing Awards Australia; longlisted, Australian Political Book of the Year Award 2023.
Tomorrow There Will Be Apricots: An Australian Diplomat in the Arab World, by Robert Bowker (Shawline Publishing Group) – A professional memoir based on 50 years as an Australian diplomat, UN official, intelligence analyst, academic, and company director working in and on the Middle East.
“A profound insight into the world of Middle Eastern politics and diplomacy.”
Nominated for the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards; for the Small Press Network Book of the Year Award; for the Queensland Literary Awards; for the Miles Franklin Literary Award; for the Indie Book Awards; for the Association for the Study of Australian Literature Gold Medal Awards; for the NSW Premier’s History Awards; for the Foundation for Australian Literary Studies Literary Award; and for the NIB Literary Award.
Words for Lucy, by Marion Halligan (Thames & Hudson) – A moving memoir celebrating the life of the author’s late daughter, telling the story of a mother surviving the aftershocks of death and finding the space to live.
“A masterful piece of storytelling, reflecting a deeply personal journey through the tragic, sad, and affectionate life experiences of Marion Halligan’s family.”
Lohrey, by Julieanne Lamond (Melbourne University Publishing) – A guide to the world of Amanda Lohrey’s fiction, and a meditation on what her writing has to say about contemporary life and how we live it.
“An in-depth analysis and immersive account of Amanda Lohrey’s life and how it shaped her writing and fictional expertise.”
Legitimate Sexpectations, by Katrina Marson (Scribe Publications) – Written by a sexual offences prosecutor, this book exposes the limits of the criminal justice system and the fault lines in our society when it comes to sex, sexuality, and relationships.
“A courageous and well researched book driven by a resolute mission to provoke an important public discussion and to inspire reform in sex education in Australia.”
Shortlisted for the 2023 Davitt Awards for Non-fiction Books.
Bulldozed: Scott Morrison’s fall and Anthony Albanese’s rise, by Niki Savva (Scribe Publications) – A political journalist lays out the final unravelling of the Coalition at the hands of a resurgent Labor and the teal independents that culminated in the 2022 election.
“A unique insight into the hidden world of Australian politics and the underlying turbulence that has influenced the recent political landscape.”
Winner of the 2023 ABIA General Non-Fiction Book of the Year Award; and of the 2023 Bookpeople Bookdata’s Adult Non-Fiction Book of the Year. Shortlisted for the 2023 The Australian Political Book of the Year Award.
“Congratulations to this year’s Book of the Year Award shortlisted authors,” Tara Cheyne, ACT Minister for the Arts, said.
“The Award recognises the important contribution our local authors make to Canberra’s arts and culture and aims to inspire and develop emerging local writers. The finalists this year exemplify the high calibre of talent and creativity of our writing community.
“The Book of the Year Award celebrates the excellence of our local writers and I hope encourages others to put pen to paper, too.”
The winner of the ACT Book of the Year will be announced in November.
Go to the artsACT website for more information.
