A novel about a serial killer and a children's book about a dog will be the books of 2024, according to a Waterstones bookseller.
Asako Yuzuki's Butter, translated from Japanese by Polly Burton, was named Book of the Year, and Ross Montgomery's I Am Rebel was named Children's Book of the Year.
Inspired by the true case of a “marriage killer” who poisoned three lovers, Butter follows a journalist who becomes increasingly obsessed with a convicted murderer who seduces his victims with homemade meals.
Laura Wilson wrote in the Guardian: “This is a thought-provoking and surprisingly feel-good work about friendship, deviant pleasure and society's impossibly contradictory expectations of women.”
Yuzuki said, “I'm really happy'' that Butter was selected as this year's book. “I'm honored. It's the best Christmas present I could have hoped for.” She hopes the book will make readers question social norms.
The novel is a “delicious and rich feast of a novel that has quickly established itself as the ultimate word-of-mouth sensation and the most talked-about book of the year,” said Bea Carvalho, head of books at Waterstones.
“By weaving together tense mysteries with hard-hitting social commentary and skewering the media's obsession with true crime, fans of all kinds of fiction will devour the butter,” she added. “In addition to its brilliant storytelling and elegant translation, Butter is a true publishing masterclass that raises the bar for book design.”
Waterstones booksellers were asked to nominate a book over the past year that they were particularly happy to recommend to readers. This resulted in a shortlist of 15 entries, from which the jury selected two winners.
“I Am Rebel'' is a story about the bond between a dog and his owner, Tom. “At a time when children's literacy and reading for pleasure should be everyone's top priority, I Am Rebel is the perfect book to shove into the hands of children and the adults who care for them. It’s outstanding,” Carvalho said.
“This is a book that will remind adults of the joy and wonder that can be found in children's books and help young readers discover their love of reading,” she added. “Like all the best comfort reads, it's firmly rooted in the classical tradition, but with heart and soul, I Am Rebel is above all about the best of children's stories. A wonderfully fun and engaging adventure.”
Montgomery said she was “shocked” by the news that I Am Rebel had been chosen as children's book of the year. “Whenever I sit down to write a new book, I have high expectations for it, but I don’t think I could have predicted this in my wildest dreams.”
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“I’ve been a children’s author for 11 years and this is my 30th book,” he said. “Receiving an award like this in my career is incredibly special and I am definitely grateful for the outcome.”
“I want my children to leave the book with wet eyes, hearts as big as their chests, and filled with joy and wonder about the world when they finish reading,” he added. “I never wanted to destroy them, so no dog would die from this…and I made sure to put a disclaimer on the back saying just that.”
The two winners will receive “the full support of Waterstones shops and booksellers across the UK” as well as online support.
In addition to 'Butter' and 'I Am Rebel', this year's shortlisted titles include Sally Rooney's 'Interlude', Colm Tobin's 'Long Island' and Coco Mellors' 'Blue'. Sisters,” Ferdia Lennon's “Glorious Exploits,” Olivia Lane's “The Garden Against Time,” Percival Everett's “James,” and “Raging.” Rabbit by Chloe Dalton, Rachel Price Returns by Holly Jackson, Anna's Easy Winds, Jones 18 by Alice Loxton, Siege by Ben McIntyre, Gavin Cloudspotting for Beginners by Preter Pinney and William Grill, Shakespeare's First Folio: All the Plays – Children's Edition, illustrated by Emily Sutton.
Last year's Book of the Year was “Impossible Creatures” by Katherine Randell, this year's Novel was “In Memoriam” by Alice Wynne, and this year's Gift was “Mardle” by GT Carver. According to Waterstones, sales of the winning film “soared following its announcement and dominated the charts”, with Mardle reaching number one over Christmas.
Other past books this year include Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie McKeesey, Normal People by Sally Rooney, and Essex by Sarah Perry. “The Serpent'' and “The Miniaturist'' by Jesse Burton.
