Since it was first introduced in 2012, Waterstones Book of the Year has become an institution, recognised by readers as a highlight of the calendar and a benchmark of true literary excellence. Nominated by our booksellers, recent winners have included Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet, Sally Rooney’s Normal People and The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy.
This year’s shortlist reflects a deep desire to return to the primacy of storytelling. Whether through inspired recastings of ancient myth and excavations of British folklore, insightful global histories viewed through the enlightening prism of cities and plants or by tracing the creative evolution of a popular music titan through the tales behind his lyrics, these thirteen magnificent books all find vibrant new ways to bring essential stories to electrifying life.
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