Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA)

The Australian Publishers Association (APA) is the peak industry body for Australian book, journal and electronic publishers. Established in 1948, the association is an advocate for all Australian publishers: large or small; commercial or non-profit; academic or popular; locally or overseas owned

The 2010 nominees are: (Blog Comment)

Book of the Year 2010

| | | |

* Australians: Origins to Eureka, written by Thomas Keneally, published by Allen & Unwin

* Bart: My Life, written by J.B. Cummings, published by Pan Macmillan

* Jasper Jones, written by Craig Silvey, published by Allen & Unwin

* Ransom, written by David Malouf, published by Random House Australia

* Truth, written by Peter Temple, published by The Text Publishing Company

Newcomer of the Year (debut writer) 2010

| | |

* Piano Lessons, written by Anna Goldsworthy, published by Black Inc.

* Red Dust, written by Fleur McDonald, published by Allen & Unwin

* Siddon Rock, written by Glenda Guest, published by Random House Australia

* The Virtuoso, written by Sonia Orchard, published by HarperCollins Publishers Australia

* The Weight of Silence, written by Catherine Therese, published by Hachette Australia

Literary Fiction Book of the Year 2010

| |

* Dog Boy, written by Eva Hornung, published by The Text Publishing Company

* Jasper Jones, written by Craig Silvey, published by Allen & Unwin

* Lovesong, written by Alex Miller, published by Allen & Unwin

* Ransom, written by David Malouf, published by Random House Australia

* The World Beneath, written by Cate Kennedy, published by Scribe Publications

Biography of the Year 2010

| | |

* Affection: A Memoir of Love, Sex and Intimacy, written by Krissy Kneen, published by The Text Publishing Company

* Bart: My Life, written by J.B. Cummings, published by Pan Macmillan

* Cadel Evans: Close to Flying, written by Cadel Evans, published by Hardie Grant

* Charles Kingsford Smith and Those Magnificent Men, written by Peter FitzSimons, published by HarperCollins Publishers Australia

* Hey Mum, What’s a Half-Caste?, written by Lorraine McGee-Sippel, published by Magabala Books Aboriginal Corporation

General Fiction Book of the Year 2010

* Heartless, written by Tasma Walton, published by University of Queensland Press

* The Cattleman’s Daughter, written by Rachael Treasure, published by Penguin Australia

* The Death of Bunny Munro, written by Nick Cave, published by The Text Publishing Company

* The Five Greatest Warriers, written by Matthew Reilly, published by Pan Macmillan

* Truth, written by Peter Temple, published by The Text Publishing Company\

General Nonfiction Book of the Year 2010

* Australians: Origins to Eureka, written by Thomas Keneally, published by Allen & Unwin

* Bendable Learnings, written by Don Watson, published by Random House Australia

* Macquarie PEN Anthology of Australian Literature, edited by Nicholas Jose, published by Allen & Unwin

* Piano Lessons, written by Anna Goldsworthy, published by Black Inc.

* The Life You Can Save: Acting Now to End World Poverty, written by Peter Singer, published by The Text Publishing Company

Illustrated Book of the Year 2010

* A Life on Pittwater, written by Susan Duncan, published by Random House Australia

* Stephanie Alexander’s Kitchen Garden Companion, written by Stephanie Alexander, published by Penguin Australia

* Thai Street Food, written by David Thompson, published by Penguin Australia

* The Mind and Times of Reg Mombassa, written by Murray Waldron, published by HarperCollins Publishers Australia

* The Songs of Sapa, written by Luke Nguyen, published by Murdoch Books

Book of the Year for Older Children (age range 8 to14 years) 2010

* Liar, written by Justine Larbalestier, published by Allen & Unwin

* Parlour Games for Modern Families, written by Myfanwy Jones & Spiri Tsintziras, published by Scribe Publications

* The Billionaire’s Curse, written by Richard Newsome, published by The Text Publishing Company

* The Ghost’s Child, writen Sonya Hartnett, published by Penguin Australia

* The Ranger’s Apprentice: Halt’s Peril, written by John Flanagan, published by Random House Australia

Book of the Year for Younger Children (age range 0 to 8 years) 2010

* Baby Wombat’s Week, written by Jackie French & illustrated by Bruce Whatley, published by HarperCollins Publishers Australia

* Grug, written & illustrated by Ted Prior, published by Simon & Schuster Australia

* Mr Chicken Goes to Paris, written & illustrated by Leigh Hobbs, published by Allen & Unwin

* Running with the Horses, written & illustrated by Alison Lester, published by Penguin Australia

* The Terrible Plop, written by Ursula Dubosarsky & illustrated by Andrew Joyner, published by Penguin Australia

Independent Bookseller of the Year 2010

* Gleebooks (NSW/ACT)

* Avid Reader (Qld)

* Imprints Booksellers (SA/NT)

* Fullers Bookshop Hobart (Tas)

* Readings Books Music Film Carlton (Vic)

* Bookcaffe (WA)

Chain Bookseller of the Year 2010

* Dymocks George St Sydney (NSW/ACT)

* Dymocks Indooroopilly (Qld)

* Dymocks Adelaide (SA/NT)

* Dymocks Hobart (Tas)

* Hill of Content (Vic)

* Dymocks Garden City (Booragoon) (WA)

Specialist Bookseller of the Year 2010

* The Cookery Book (NSW/ACT)

* Folio Books (Qld)

* ALS Library Services (SA/NT)

* Ellison Hawker Bookshop (Tas)

* Books for Cooks (Vic)

* Boffins Bookshop (WA)

Bookseller Marketing Campaign of the Year 2010

* Better Read Than Dead, for Year of the Book and others

* Big W, for The Big Book Bonanza

* Fullers Bookshop Hobart, for 10 Rules of Rock & Roll

* Pages & Pages Booksellers Mosman, for Revolutionary Road

* Shearers Bookshop, for The Truth Hurts

Small Publisher of the Year 2010

* Black Dog Books

* Black Inc.

* New Holland Publishers

* Scribe Publications

* UNSW Press

Publisher of the Year 2010

* Allen & Unwin

* Murdoch Books

* Penguin Australia

* Random House Australia

* Text Publishing

Distributor of the Year 2010

* Alliance Distribution Services

* Harper Entertainment Distribution Services

* Macmillan Distribution Services

* Random House Australia

* United Book Distributors

Publisher Marketing Campaign of the Year 2010

* Allen & Unwin, for Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey

* Murdoch Books, for The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest by Stieg Larsson

* Random House Australia, for Fallen by Lauren Kate

* Simon & Schuster Australia, for Grug by Ted Prior

* Text, for The Women in Black by Madeleine St John

International Success of the Year 2010

* Allen & Unwin, for The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas

* Hinkler Books, for Dora the Explorer

* Hinkler Books, for Simply Success

* UNSW Press, for Fishes of the Open Ocean

2009 Winners & Shortlists

2009 Pixie O' Harris Award for distinguished service to Australian Children's Books - Helen Chamberlin

2009 Lloyd O' Neil Award for outstanding service to the book industry - David Gaunt

Book of the Year 2009

Winner: The Slap, written by Christos Tsiolkas, published by Allen & Unwin

Also Winner: Commonwealth Writers' Award Book of the Year

At a suburban barbecue, a man slaps a child who is not his own. This event has a shocking ricochet effect on a group of people, mostly friends, who are directly or indirectly influenced by the event. In this remarkable novel, Christos Tsiolkas turns his unflinching and all-seeing eye on to that which connects us all: the modern family and domestic life in the twenty-first century. The Slap is told from the points of view of eight people who were present at the barbecue. The slap and its consequences force them all to question their own families and the way they live, their expectations, beliefs and desires. What unfolds is a powerful, haunting novel about love, sex and marriage, parenting and children, and the fury and intensity - all the passions and conflicting beliefs - that family can arouse. More

Other Shortlisted

| | |

Breath, written by Tim Winton, published by Penguin Australia

Winner: Age Book of the Year - Winner: Australian 'Indies' - Winner Miles Franklin

When paramedic Bruce Pike arrives too late to save a boy found hanged in his bedroom he senses immediately that this lonely death is an accident. Pike knows the difference between suicide and misadventure. He understands only too well the forces that can propel a kid toward oblivion. Not just because he's an ambulanceman but because of the life he's lived, the boy he once was, addicted to extremes, flirting with death, pushing every boundary in the struggle to be extraordinary, barely knowing where or how to stop. So begins a story about the damage you do to yourself when you're young and think you're immortal. In his first novel for seven years, Tim Winton has achieved a new level of mastery. Breath confirms him as one of the world's finest storytellers, whose work is both accessible and profound,relentlessly gripping and deeply moving. More

Tales From Outer Suburbia, written by Shaun Tan, published by Allen & Unwin

Do you remember the water buffalo at the end of our street? Or the deep-sea diver we found near the underpass? Do you know why dogs bark in the middle of the night? Shaun Tan, creator of The Arrival, The Lost Thing and The Red Tree, reveals the quiet mysteries of everyday life: homemade pets, dangerous weddings, stranded sea mammals, tiny exchange students and secret rooms filled with darkness and delight. Fifteen intriguing illustrated stories about the mysteries that lurk below the surface of suburban life. More

The Boat, written by Nam Le, published by Penguin Australia -

Winner: NSW Premier's Book of the Year - Winner: Dylan Thomas Prize - Winner: Ainsfield-Wolf

The Boat is a stunningly inventive, deeply moving fiction debut: stories that take the readers from the slums of Colombia to the streets of Tehran; from New York City to Iowa City; from a tiny fishing village in Australia to a foundering vessel in the South China Sea, in a masterful display of literary virtuosity and feeling. In the opening story, "Love and Honor and Pity and Pride and Compassion and Sacrifice," a young writer is urged by his friends to mine his father's experiences in Vietnam — and what seems at first a satire on turning one's life into literary commerce becomes a transcendent exploration of homeland, and the ties between father and son. More

The Tall Man, written by Chloe Hooper, published by Penguin Australia

In 2004 Cameron Doomadgee, a 36-year-old resident of Palm Island, was arrested for swearing at a white police officer. Within 45 minutes he was dead. The main suspect was well respected Senior Sergeant Christopher Hurley. This is the story of what happened, the trial, and the Aboriginal myths around the case. More

Literary Fiction Book of the Year 2009

Winner

Winner: The Slap, written by Christos Tsiolkas, published by Allen & Unwin

Also Winner: Commonwealth Writers' Award Book of the Year

Other Shortlisted

| | |

Breath, written by Tim Winton, published by Penguin Australia

When paramedic Bruce Pike arrives too late to save a boy found hanged in his bedroom he senses immediately that this lonely death is an accident. Details above

The Boat, written by Nam Le, published by Penguin Australia -

The Boat is a stunningly inventive, deeply moving fiction debut: stories that take the readers from the slums of Colombia to the streets of Tehran; details above

The Lieutenant, written by Kate Grenville, published by The Text Publishing Company -

As a boy, Daniel Rooke was always an outsider. At school, he learned to hide his clever thoughts from his cruel peers; at home, his parents were bemused by their bookish son. Daniel could only hope - against all the evidence - that he would one day find his place in life. By 1788, Daniel has become Lieutenant Rooke, astronomer with the First Fleet as it lands

on the unknown shores of New South Wales. As the newcomers struggle to establish a settlement for themselves and their cargoof convicts, and attempts are made to communicate with those who already inhabit this land, Rooke sets up his observatory to chart the stars. But the place where they have landed will prove far more revelatory than the night sky. Out on his isolated point, Rooke comes to know the local Aboriginal people, and forges a remarkable connection with one child, which will change his life in ways he never imagined.

The Spare Room, written by Helen Garner, published by The Text Publishing Company

Helen Garner's novel is ostensibly about death and dying but it's also a story about friendship told with compassion, humour and occasionally, rage. Garner's balance of intellect and emotion makes this a particularly satisfying experience. Her prose is both rich and spare, harrowing and uplifting, devastating and heart-warming.

Winner: Vance Palmer Prize for Fiction - Winner: Queensland Premier's Fiction Book Award

General Fiction Book of the Year 2009

| | | |

Winner

A Beautiful Place to Die, written by Malla Nunn, published by Macmillan Publishers Australia

When an Afrikaans police captain is murdered in a small South African country town, Detective Emmanuel Cooper must navigate his way through the labyrinthine racial and social divisions that split the community. And as the National Party introduces the laws to support the system of apartheid, Emmanuel struggles - much like Martin Cruz Smith's Arkady Renko - to remain a good man in the face of astonishing power. In a considered but very commercial novel, Malla Nunn combines a compelling plot with a thoughtful and complex portrayal of a fascinating period of history, illustrating the human desires that drive us all, regardless of race, colour or creed. "A Beautiful Place To Die" is the first of a planned series of novels featuring Detective Emmanuel Cooper. More

Other Shortlisted

All Together Now, written by Monica McInerney, published by Penguin Australia

Including several of her early magazine short stories, contributions to recent anthologies, novella Odd One Out and several new and previously unpublished stories, this collection is infused with Monica's trademark warmth and humour. More

How To Break Your Own Heart, written by Maggie Alderson, published by Penguin Australia

A woman in her late thirties, married to a man who doesn't want children. She really wants a baby and the book is about her struggle to decide whether to stay with him or leave. More

The Build Up, written by Phillip Gwynne, published by Macmillan Publishers Australia

For Detective Dusty Buchanan, a female cop in the very male world of the Northern Territory Polic Force, it always pays to expect the unexpected. Set against Darwin's hustling, exotic melting pot of people and cultures, Phillip Gwynne has written a truly page turning crime thriller with an unforgettable hero. More

Newcomer of the Year (debut writer) 2009

| | |

Winner

Also won: Dylan Thomas Prize - Ainsfield Wolf Book Award (USA) -NSW Premier's Book of the Year

The Boat, written by Nam Le, published by Penguin Australia -

The Boat is a stunningly inventive, deeply moving fiction debut: stories that take the readers from the slums of Colombia tothe streets of Tehran; from New York City to Iowa City; from a tiny fishing village in Australia to a foundering vessel in the South China Sea, in a masterful display of literary virtuosity and feeling. In the opening story, "Love and Honor and Pity and Pride and Compassion and Sacrifice," a young writer is urged by his friends to mine his father's experiences in Vietnam — and what seems at first a satire on turning one's life into literary commerce becomes a transcendent exploration of homeland, and the ties between father and son. More

Other Shortlisted

A Beautiful Place to Die, written by Malla Nunn, published by Macmillan Publishers Australia

Never Say Die, written by Chris O’Brien, published by HarperCollins Publishers Australia

In November 2006, Chris O'Brien was diagnosed with glioblastoma multi-forme, a malignant and extremely aggressive form of cancer. As one of the country's most eminent cancer specialists, O'Brien knows that the chances of beating the brain tumour are tiny; even with chemotherapy, surgery and radiation few sufferers survive past 12 months. Nevertheless, he is determined to beat the odds. With the support of his close family and an international network of surgeons, friends and well-wishers, O'Brien took the option of radical brain surgery under the supervision of his friend Dr Charlie Teo. More

The Unlikely Voyage of Jack de Crow, written by A.J. Mackinnon, published by Black Inc.

In 1998 Sandy Mackinnon set off from his home in England in a Mirror dinghy on what was supposed to be a one-week jaunt down the Severn river, only to find himself, one year later, sailing out onto the Black Sea. Simply by rowing and sailing in an open dinghy less than eleven feet in length, he crossed the English Channel, cruised across three thousand miles of rivers, canals and open sea, and through eleven countries, including war-torn Yugoslavia at a time of crisis. More

Illustrated Book of the Year 2009

| | | |

Winner

Tales From Outer Suburbia, written by Shaun Tan, published by Allen & Unwin

Other Shortlisted

A Brush with Birds, written by Penny Olsen, published by National Library of Australia

The paintings of Australian birds in A Brush with Birds are by artists whose work is represented in the National Library ofAustralia. They span the years from first settlement to the 1970s, telling us about the times as well as the birds, and showing how the style of bird art has evolved. This book is lavishly illustrated with vibrant and luscious art and it includes the stories of the artists behind the paintings. More

The Artist’s Lunch, written by Alice McCormick & Sarah Rhodes, published by Murdoch Books

What is it about artists and food? From the canvas to the table, the visual and culinary arts are linked by colour, texture, form and taste, and the process by which artists combine these elements is captivating and revelatory. Artists have this symbiosis, a connection between making art and making food, which make most artists as creative in the kitchen as in the studio.Writer Alice McCormick and photographer Sarah Rhodes feast with the most surprising and engaging selection of bons viveurs, and discover that at an ideal dinner party, one should dine with artists - they do it better. More

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, written by Michel Streich, published by Allen & Unwin

A vivid and strikingly illustrated edition of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. Powerful, moving, simple and forceful, it speaks to us all about hope, about our ideals, about the sort of world we want to create and live in.

Utopia: the Genius of Emily Kame Kngwarreye, edited by Margo Neale, published by National Museum of Australia

Emily Kame Kngwarreye is one of the most important abstract painters of the 20th century and one of the most significant artists that Australia has ever produced. Emily's strikingly modern and beautifully innovative works, created in an environment far away from the influence of the Western Art tradition, have been featured in over 100 exhibitions in the past decade and are housed in collections all over the world. This book has been published to support a major international exhibition, presented by the National Museum of Australia, that opened in Japan in 2007 and travels to Australia this year. Utopia: The Genius of Emily Kame Kngwarreye features over 120 works drawn from private, public and corporate collections around the world, telling the story of Emily Kame Kngwarreye as one of Australia's greatest contemporary artists, and also giving some insight into her life as a senior Anmatyerre woman and a lifelong custodian of the desert country that inspired her work. More

Biography of the Year 2009

| | | |

Winner

The Lucy Family Alphabet, written by Judith Lucy, published by Penguin Australia

Judith Lucy has been cracking jokes about her parents for years. But when a birth relative's casual comment implied that she despised them, Judith was shocked. Sure, she had been talking about Ann and Tony Lucy like they were one-dimensional Irish nutbags who'd ruined her life for years, but there was always more to them and her own feelings than that. So Judith decided it was time to write the full story of her parents and her childhood. And here it is, a reference book on all things Lucy from: A is for Adoption (she is) to C is for Cleaning (they didn't) and for Counselling (you'll find out why she had a lot of it) to D is for Diets (she was put on one at eight) .. More

Other shortlisted

I am Melba, written by Ann Blainey, published by Black Inc.

The story of an Australian girl who defied convention and became the most famous singer of her era. Growing up in Melbourne, Nellie Mitchell dreamed of fame, but her devout father disapproved. When a chance arose to go to Paris, she trusted in her musical talent and hoped for a lucky break. Within a few years, reborn as Nellie Melba, she was performing to overflowing concert halls, hobnobbing with European royalty and collaborating with some of the most renowned composers of the age. Audiences swooned over the 'heavenly pleasures' of her voice, while the public showed an insatiable appetite for news of her sometimes passionate private life. Dame Nellie Melba was Australia's first international superstar. In this important biography, enhanced by new research, Ann Blainey captures the exuberance, controversy and pathos of Melba's remarkable career. More

Never Say Die, written by Chris O’Brien, published by HarperCollins Publishers Australia. Details above

Stella Miles Franklin: A Biography, written by Jill Roe, published by HarperCollins Publishers Australia

Stella Miles Franklin was born in the Australian bush and, at the age of twenty-one, became an international publishing sensation with My Brilliant Career. The book struck a chord with women and girls all over the country, and more than a century later is still regarded as an Australian classic. Miles' early success gave her entree to literary and socialist circles in Sydney and Melbourne. But by 1906 she had decided to make the bold move to travel overseas, and went to work for the women's labour movement in Chicago. In 1915 she relocated to London and quickly found herself travelling to the Balkans to help nurse wounded Allied soldiers. Returning to London she worked for various feminist and progressive causes... More

General Non-Fiction Book of the Year 2009

| | | |

Winner

The Tall Man, written by Chloe Hooper, published by Penguin Australia

Other Shortlisted

1788, written by David Hill, published by Random House Australia

Set against the backdrop of Georgian England, the story of the First Fleet is one of courage, short-sightedness, tragedy, but above all of extraordinary resilience. Using diaries, letters and official records, :David Hill reconstructs the experiences of these famous & infamous me and women of Australian history. More

Life in His Hands, written by Susan Wyndham, published by Macmillan Publishers Australia

Charlie Teo is one of Australia's most celebrated yet controversial neurosurgeons. His pioneering 'keyhole' techniques have earned him praise around the world, but in his home country he is regarded by some in the profession as reckless and even dangerous. His stock in trade is 'inoperable' brain tumours - those malignant cancers that others don't dare treat - and by any estimation he is incredibly successful. In over 5000 operations, he has never lost a patient on the table. His more famous cases have included talkback radio shock jock Stan Zemanek, the wives of cricketers Steve Waugh and Glenn McGrath, the cancer specialist Dr Chris O'Brien, and the young classical pianist, Aaron McMillan. Life in His Hands is the remarkable true story of a medical maverick and one of his most high-profile and tragic cases. It is a book full of heartache and hope and scientific marvels. More

The Unlikely Voyage of Jack de Crow, written by A.J. Mackinnon, published by Black Inc.

In 1998 Sandy Mackinnon set off from his home in England in a Mirror dinghy on what was supposed to be a one-weekjaunt down the Severn river, only to find himself, one year later, sailing out onto the Black Sea. Simply by rowing and sailing in an open dinghy less than eleven feet in length, he crossed the English Channel, cruised across three thousand miles of rivers, canals and open sea, and through eleven countries, including war-torn Yugoslavia at a time of crisis. More

What’s Happening to Our Girls, written by Maggie Hamilton, published by Penguin Australia

Why are girls as young as five concerned about their looks and addicted to shopping? Why are they having sex and binge- drinking so young, responding to chat-room predators, and bullying their peers via email and text messages? Why are depression, cutting and eating disorders on the rise, and why, with so much choice, do so many just want to marry young and have babies? In a few short years, our girls have become vulnerable - not just teen girls, but also young girls and baby girls. More

Book of the Year for Younger Children (age range 0 to 8 years) 2009

| | | |

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, written by Mem Fox, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, published by Penguin

As everyone knows, nothing is sweeter than tiny baby fingers and chubby baby toes ...From two of the most gifted picture book creators of our time, here is a celebration of babies and the joy they bring to everyone, everywhere, all over the world! 'This is a perfect read-aloud picture book ...full of warmth and appeal. It was a joy to read and a pleasure to hold.' Margaret Hamilton, Bookseller and Publisher More

Other shortlisted

Enigma, written & illustrated by Graeme Base, published by Penguin Australia

Another extradordinary work of art from Graeme Base. 'Don't worry,' Bertie said at once. 'I'll solve this, have no fear, For magic things that vanish almost always reappear. . .' Bertie loves to visit the Retirement Home for Elderly Magicians and watch his grandpa perform magic tricks. But one day all the magicians' props go missing, so Bertie sets off to investigate. . . Can he solve the mystery in time to save the show? You can help Bertie find all the missing things. And there's a special magic panel at the back of the book - if you can unlock it, you will reveal all the mysteries of Enigma. Good luck! More

Possum and Wattle: My Big Book of Australian Words, written & illustrated by Bronwyn Bancroft, published by LittleHare Books

A lavishly illustrated word book of Australia. Words include blossoms and bees through to wombats and willy willys. The pages range from neatly vignetted illustrations to large narrative landscapes. The book is designed to intrigue, captivate and nurture inquisitive minds and to celebrate the uniqueness of Australia. Ages 2+. More

Sunday Chutney, written & illustrated by Aaron Blabey, published by Penguin Australia

Sunday Chutney has the most extraordinary life - she has lived all over the world! Of course, moving around means she's always the new kid at school and never really has a place to call home. But Sunday Chutney doesn't care about that. Or does she? Age 4+. More

The Dog on the Tuckerbox, written by Corinne Fenton, illustrated by Peter Couldthorpe, published by BlackDog Books

This true story of a dog's loyalty to his master is beautifully retold. It is the story of Australia's early settlers, the bullockies that worked the rough tracks, and the pioneers they called on. Ages 5+. More

Book of the Year for Older Children (age range 8 to14 years) 2009

| | | |

Winner

Finnikin of the Rock, written by Melina Marchetta, published by Penguin Australia

At the age of nine, Finnikin is warned by the gods that he must sacrifice a pound of flesh in order to save the royal house of his homeland, Lumatere. He stands on the rock of three wonders with his friend Prince Balthazar and the prince's cousin, Lucian, and together they mix their blood. And Lumatere is safe: but then the unspeakable! More

Other Shortlisted

A Rose for the ANZAC Boys, written by Jackie French, published by HarperCollins Publishers Australia

The 'war to end all wars', as seen through the eyes of three young women. It is 1915. War is being fought on a horrific scale in the trenches of France, but it might as well be a world away from 16-year-old New Zealander Midge Macpherson, at school in England learning to be a young lady. But the war is coming closer: Midge's brothers are in the army, and her twin, Tim, is listed as 'missing' in the devastating defeat of the Anzac forces at Gallipoli. Desperate to do their bit -- and avoid the boredom of school and the restrictions of Society -- Midge and her friends Ethel and Anne start a canteen in France, caring for the endless flow of wounded soldiers returning from the front. Midge, recruited by the overastretched ambulance service, is thrust into carnage and scenes of courage she could never have imagined. And when the war is over, all three girls -- and their Anzac boys as well -- discover that even going 'home' can be both strange and wonderful. Exhaustively researched but written with the lightest of touches, this is Jackie French at her very best. More

Dragon Dawn, written by Carole Wilkinson, published by Black Dog Books

The Dragonkeeper series is loved by children all over the world. Now they can return to the mystical world of Danzi and meet him when he is a much younger dragon... It is a time of unrest in the provinces soldiers are everywhere. It is a dangerous time for a dragon to be without a keeper. Age 9+.

Home and Away, by John Marsden, illustrated by Matt Ottley, published by Hachette Australia

April 26, Dad burns the toast, yells at Toby, thanks me for cleaning the cab of the truck, kisses Mum and Toby, then he's gone. April 27, the war starts. Everyone wants a place of safety, a place to share with the people they love. What would happen if a typical Australian family found themselves refugees? Age 10+. (SA: Year 6 - Year 9). More

Pip: The Story of Olive, written by Kim Kane, published by Allen & Unwin

Olive Garnaut likes things in pairs. But even with her own perfectly symmetrical family, body and bedroom, Olive has only ever felt half. How incredible, then, that one day Pip should appear. She is everything Olive is not...;From a fantastic new Australian talent and snapped up in the UK and US by David Fickling.

depp_under_the_opera_house_by_kev_parker

Book of the Year | Literary Fiction Book of the Year | General Fiction | Newcomer (debut) | Illlustrated | Biography | Non-fiction | Book of the Year for Younger Children |Book of the Year Older Children | Publishing Industry Categories | Publisher | Small Publisher | Distributor | Marketing Campaign of the Year | International Success | Bookseller Marketing Campaign | Chain Bookseller | Specialist Bookseller |2008 Winners and Shortlists | back to top| home pag e

Small Publisher of the Year 2009, sponsored by Midland Typesetters

Black Dog Books Black Inc - Winner
Giramondo Publishing Company
University of Queensland Press
Wakefield Press

Publisher of the Year 2009

Penguin Australia - Winner

Others: Allen & Unwin Hachette Australia Random House Australia The Text Publishing Company

Distributor of the Year 2009, sponsored by VISTA Computer Systems

Winner: United Book Distributors

Other finalists

Alliance Distribution Services Harper Entertainment Distribution Services Hinkler Books Random House Australia

Marketing Campaign of the Year 2009, in memory of John Cody, sponsored by Random House Australia

Winner: Penguin Australia, for Popular Penguins, written by various authors

Allen & Unwin, for Change of Heart, written by Jodi Picoult Allen & Unwin, for The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, written by Mary Ann Shaffer Penguin Australia, for Breath, written by Tim Winton Random House Australia, for Occy, written by Mark Occhilupo & Tim Baker

International Success of the Year 2009, sponsored by Activair

Penguin Australia, for various Sonya Hartnett titles -Winner

Other finalists

HarperCollins Publishers, for Hammer of God, written by Karen Miller
Random House Australia, for The Floods, by Colin Thompson

Chain Bookseller of the Year 2009, sponsored by PacStream (Thorpe-Bowker & ECN Group)

Vic Hill of Content- Winner
Others: NSW/ACT Dymocks Sydney Qld Dymocks Indooroopilly SA/NT Dymocks Adelaide Tas Dymocks Hobart WA Dymocks Garden City (Booragoon)

Independent Bookseller of the Year 2009 *, sponsored by Thorpe-Bowker

Vic Readings Books Music Film Carlton - Winner
NSW/ACT Gleebooks
Qld Riverbend Books & Teahouse SA/NT
Imprints Booksellers Tas
Fullers Bookshop Hobart
WA Bookcaffe

Specialist Bookseller of the Year 2009 * (Not sure who won this ed)

NSW/ACT Galaxy Bookshop Qld Folio Books SA/NT ALS Library Services Tas Ellison Hawker Bookshop Vic Books for Cooks WA Boffins Bookshop

Bookseller Marketing Campaign of the Year 2009

Winner: Lehane Readings Books Music Film Carlton, for The Boat, written by Nam Le

Avid Reader, for Growing Up Asian in Australia, edited by Alice Pung

Avid Reader, for Wild Tea Cosies, written by Loani Prior

Pages & Pages Booksellers Mosman, for The Given Day, written by Dennis

Robinson’s Bookshop, for Brisingr, written by Christopher Paolini

Australian Book Industry Awards Book of the Year 2008

Winner: People of the Book, by Geraldine Brooks , HarperCollins Publishers Australia

People of the Book crosses continents and centuries to bring stories of hope amidst darkness, compassion amidst cruelty, all bound together by the discoveries made by a young Australian woman restoring an ancient Hebrew book. When Hanna Heath gets a call in the middle of the night in her Sydney home about a precious medieval manuscript that has been recovered from the smouldering ruins of war-torn Sarajevo, she knows she is on the brink of the experience of a lifetime. A renowned book conservator, she must now make her way to Bosnia to start work on restoring the Sarajevo Haggadah -- a Jewish prayer book -- to discover its secrets and piece together the story of its miraculous survival. But the trip will also set in motion a series of events that threaten to rock Hanna's orderly life, including her encounter with Ozren Karamen, the young librarian who risked his life to save the book. As meticulously researched as all of Brooks' previous work, People of the Book is a gripping and moving novel about war, art, love and survival.

Hear an interview about People of the Book on NPR ... Read Jonathan Yardley's review in The Washington Post... Robert Dessaix's review in The Sydney Morning Herald

2008 Book of the Year Other Shortlisted

| | | |

American Journeys, written by Don Watson, published by Random House Australia
Girl Stuff, written by Kaz Cooke, published by Penguin Group (Australia)
Maggie’s Harvest,, written by Maggie Beer, published by Penguin Group (Australia)
The Book Thief, written by Markus Zusak, published by Pan Macmillan Australia

Literary Fiction Book of the Year 2008

| | | |

People of the Book, by Geraldine Brooks, HarperCollins Publishers Australia

Other Shortlisted

A Fraction of the Whole, written by Steve Toltz, published by Penguin Group (Australia)
The Book Thief, written by Markus Zusak, published by Pan Macmillan Australia
The Children, written by Charlotte Wood, published by Allen & Unwin
The Memory Room, written by Christopher Koch, published by Random House Australia

Newcomer of the Year 2008

Secrets of the Red Lantern: Stories and Recipes from the Heart

Secrets of the Red Lantern, by Pauline Nguyen, Murdoch Books

Much more than a collection of authentic recipes from successful Vietnamese restaurant Red Lantern, this book is the honest, difficult story of the Nguyen family as told by daughter Pauline - documenting their escape from Vietnam and eventual resettlement in Australia. At the heart of this story is a love of food - it helped to placate homesickness, became central to their early success in Australia, and was sometimes the only language the family could use to communicate with each other. In the end, it was this shared passion for food that reconciled the family and help create Red Lantern's success.

About the Author

Pauline Nguyen, Luke Nguyen and Mark Jensen are the proprietors of the acclaimed Sydney restaurant, Red Lantern. They hold in their hearts and their heads the Nguyen family's amazing stories and food secrets.

Other shortlisted

| | |

A Fraction of the Whole, written by Steve Toltz, published by Penguin Group (Australia)
Addition, written by Toni Jordan, published by The Text Publishing Company
People Like Us, written by Waleed Aly, published by Pan Macmillan Australia
Van Diemen’s Land, written by James Boyce, published by Black Inc.

| | |

Illustrated Book of the Year 2008

Maggie’s Harvest, by Maggie Beer, Penguin Group (Australia)

Shortlisted

Alfred Gregory, by Alfred Gregory, published by Penguin Group (Australia)
Pier, by Greg Doyle, published by Murdoch Books
Secrets of the Red Lantern, by Pauline Nguyen, published by Murdoch Books
The Great Gatsby, by F Scott FitzGerald, illustrated by Nicky Greenberg, published by Allen & Unwin

Book of the Year for Younger Children 2008

| | | |

The Peasant Prince, by Li Cunxin, illustrated by Anne Spudvilas, Penguin Group (Australia)

Shortlisted

Book of the Year for Older Children 2008

Ranger’s Apprentice 7: Erak’s Ransom, by John Flanagan, Random House Australia

| |

Shortlisted

Dragon Moon, written by Carole Wilkinson, published by Black Dog Books
The Key to Rondo, written by Emily Rodda, published by Scholastic Australia
The Shadow Thief, by Alexandra Adornetto, published by HarperCollins Publishers Australia
The Wind in the Willows, written by Kenneth Grahame, illustrated by Robert Ingpen, published
by Walker Books Australia

Biography of the Year 2008

Arthur Boyd: a life, by Dar leen Bungey, Allen & Unwin

Shortlisted

Andrew Johns: The Two of Me, written by Andrew Johns & Neil Cadigan, published by
HarperCollins Publishers Australia
Births Deaths Marriages, written by Georgia Blain, published by Random House Australia
I Peed on Fellini, written by David Stratton, published by Random House Australia
Josh Hartnett Definitely Wants To Do This…, written by Bruce Beresford, published by
HarperCollins Publishers Australia

General Non-Fiction Book of the Year 2008

Girl Stuff , by Kaz Cooke, Penguin Group (Australia)

Shortlisted

American Journeys, written by Don Watson, published by Random House Australia
Poll Dancing: The Story of the 2007 Election, written by Mungo MacCallum, published by
Black Inc.
Vietnam: The Australian War, written by Paul Ham, published by HarperCollins Publishers
Australia
Who Killed Channel 9?, written by Gerald Stone, published by Pan Macmillan Australia

General Fiction Book of the Year 2008

Those Faraday Girls by Monica McInerney, Penguin Group (Australia)

Other Shortlisted

Addition, written by Toni Jordan, published by The Text Publishing Company
Sucked In, written by Shane Maloney, published by The Text Publishing Company
The River Baptists, written by Belinda Castles, published by Allen & Unwin
The Six Sacred Stones, written by Matthew Reilly, published by Pan Macmillan Australia
Those Faraday Girls, written by Monica McInerney, published by Penguin Group (Australia)

Bookseller Marketing Event of the Year

Pages & Pages Bookseller for A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini

International Success Award 2008

Sponsored by Activair Random House Australia For The Ranger’s Apprentice by John Flanagan

Shortlisted

Hachette Livre Australia for The Arrival, written by Shaun Tan
Hardie Grant Books for Turquoise, written by Greg & Lucy Malouf
New Holland for Where’s Bin Laden?, written by Daniel Lalic
Penguin Group (Australia) for Mao’s Last Dancer, written by Li Cunxin

Marketing Campaign of the Year 2008

Sponsored by Random House Australia in memory of John Cody - Allen & Unwin For Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by J.K. Rowling

Shortlisted

Allen & Unwin for An Uncommon Reader, written by Alan Bennett
Allen & Unwin for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, written by J.K. Rowling
Hachette Livre Australia for Advance Australia…Where?, written by Hugh Mackay
Hardie Grant Books for Court in the Middle, written by Andrew Fraser

The Lloyd O’Neil Award for outstanding service to the Australian book

industry, sponsored by HarperCollins Publishers Australia, Hachette Livre

Australia, Macmillan Publishers Australia, Penguin Group (Australia),

Random House Australia and the University of Queensland Press.

Awarded to David Malouf

The Pixie O’Harris Award for distinguished and dedicated

service to the development and reputation of Australian

children’s books, sponsored by HarperCollins Publishers Australia.

Awarded to Kate Colley

Publisher of the Year 2008

Penguin Group (Australia)

Chain Bookseller of the Year 2008

www.literaryawards.com.au

2009 Pixie O' Harris Award for distinguished service to Australian Children's Books - Helen Chamberlin

Book of the Year 2009

Literary Fiction Book of the Year 2009

General Fiction Book of the Year 2009

Newcomer of the Year (debut writer) 2009

Illustrated Book of the Year 2009

General Non-Fiction Book of the Year 2009

Book of the Year for Younger Children (age range 0 to 8 years) 2009

Book of the Year for Older Children (age range 8 to14 years) 2009

Small Publisher of the Year 2009, sponsored by Midland Typesetters

Distributor of the Year 2009, sponsored by VISTA Computer Systems

Marketing Campaign of the Year 2009, in memory of John Cody, sponsored by Random House Australia

International Success of the Year 2009, sponsored by Activair

Independent Bookseller of the Year 2009 *, sponsored by Thorpe-Bowker

Specialist Bookseller of the Year 2009 * (Not sure who won this ed)

Bookseller Marketing Campaign of the Year 2009

Australian Book Industry Awards Book of the Year 2008

Latest Literary Prize News from Award Tragic