The awards, which coincided with Independent Booksellers Week (28 June – 5 July), included three categories – Adult, Children’s Fiction and Children’s Picture Book.

The winning titles were judged by two separate judging panels comprising authors, booksellers and journalists, and the judging panels were chaired by the BA’s Meryl Halls, Head of Membership Services who said: “The winning books were chosen after much debate around each of the very strong, and varied, shortlists. They are all perfect titles for independent booksellers to be enthusiastic about and hand sell. The judges have chosen fantastic winners, and we are delighted to be able to showcase these books during IBW.”

The judges praised the ambition, wit and breathtaking clarity in the way Kate Atkinson evokes wartime Britain and English family life in Life After Life, a novel that spans the most turbulent events of the 20th century in the run up to its second cataclysmic war.

Kate, who was presented with her IBW Book Award by Marie Moser, owner of the Edinburgh Bookshop, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Life After Life has won the IBW Book Award. Independent booksellers have been a vital part of supporting my books and creating that essential word of mouth for all great writing. They are so knowledgeable and read so much. I am enormously grateful for all the work they continue to do.”

Kate also won the US equivalent of the award earlier in the year.

Visit the Independent Booksellers Week website
View book: Life After Life