Winners of the Indie Book Awards 2018
The winners of the Indie Book Awards 2018 have been announced.
Each year, independent booksellers from around the nation get together and vote for their favourite titles in six different categories, as well as their favourite book overall. Here are the winners for each category, along with comments from our booksellers.
The Fiction winner is…
The Choke by Sofie Laguna
The Choke is a claustrophobic novel about a child navigating an often dark and uncaring world of male power, guns and violence. Abandoned by her mother as a toddler and only occasionally visited by her volatile, secretive father, Justine is raised by her Pop, an old man tormented by visions of the Burma Railway. She finds sanctuary in Pop’s chooks and in The Choke, a place of staggering natural beauty that is both a source of peace and danger.
‘This is an extraordinary read.’ – Chris Gordon, events manager
The Non-Fiction winner is…
Saga Land by Richard Fidler & Kári Gíslason
In this richly-detailed and immersive work, broadcaster Richard Fidler and author Kári Gíslason share the gripping true stories of the first Viking families who settled in Iceland during the Middle Ages. The friends travel across Iceland, crossing fields, streams and fjords to immerse themselves in the folklore of this fiercely beautiful island.
‘ Saga Land starts as many good Icelandic sagas have: two men head off on an adventure.’ – Marie Matteson, buyer at Readings Carlton
The Debut Fiction winner is…
Wimmera by Mark Brandi
Ben and Fab are best friends growing up in north-west Victoria of the late eighties. Almost teenagers, they spend their days playing cricket, yabbying in local dams, wanting a pair of Nike Air Maxes and not talking about how Fab’s dad hits him or how the sudden death of Ben’s next-door neighbour unsettled him. Then a newcomer arrives in their lives and changes everything. When a body is found in the river 20 years later, Fab realises he can’t ignore the past any more.
‘Beautiful, visceral, and infused with a deeply human sense of dread, Wimmera is a stunning debut.’ – Jo Case, bookseller at Readings Doncaster
The Illustrated Non-Fiction winner is…
Native: Art & Design with Australian Plants by Kate Herd & Jela Ivankovic-Waters
Native takes an old subject (Australian natives) and gives it a complete makeover. This book surveys the ways native trees, shrubs, flowers and foliage can be put to surprising and beautiful uses by some of the most creative people working with plants today.
‘An original and exciting perspective on the very best of Australian local flora.’ – Chris Gordon, events manager
The Children’s winner and the overall Indie Book of the Year winner is…
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow is the first in a breathtaking, enchanting new fantasy series. Morrigan Crow is cursed to die on her ninth birthday but instead, she is whisked away a mysterious stranger who offers her a home within the magical city called Nevermoor. To stay, Morrigan must pass a number of mysterious trials so she can join the secret society from which the mysterious stranger hails.
‘Shiveringly, thrillingly wonderful… This novel is an absolute treat.’ – Bronte Coates, digital content coordinator
The Young Adult winner is…
Wilder Country by Mark Smith
Wilder Country is the exciting, action-packed sequel to Mark Smith’s highly acclaimed The Road to Winter. Finn, Kas and Willow have survived the winter of storms but now spring has come, they’re back to being prey for the Wilders. And they still need to fulfil their promise to Rose to rescue her daughter – which means once again facing the frightening and dangerous Ramage.
‘This is a world where an infected cut can kill you just as easily as a man with a gun.’ – Holly Harper, children’s specialist at Readings Kids
