For the past few months I’ve been reading at a greater pace than usual because I’m one of the judges for this year’s Green Carnation Prize. Last weekend the judges and I met to discuss the HUGE amount of submissions we’ve read, debate amongst each other and decide on a glorious long list of a dozen exciting books. There were a lot of great entries in the mix. Some choices were easy. Others required more discussion. But, I can honestly say that the books listed below are all excellent. They range from poetry to fiction to memoir to nonfiction. From the contemporary to the historical. From the fantastic to stark depictions of reality.

Being a judge on this prize has been a great challenge. I’ve enjoyed reading so many books and authors which I wouldn’t have found otherwise. We’re now in the process of rereading and then I’ll meet with my wonderful group of fellow judges again to decide our short list. In the mean time, have a look through this diverse list. Several books I’ve reviewed and you can read my thoughts about them by clicking on the titles below.

Click here to read more about the judges
Click here to read about the prize & buy the books on Foyles' site

Blood Relatives by Steven Alcock (4th Estate)
Deep Lane by Mark Doty (Jonathan Cape)
Sophie & The Sibyl by Patricia Duncker (Bloomsbury)
Artwash by Mel Evans (Pluto Books)
A Place Called Winter by Patrick Gale (Hodder Books)
Chasing the Scream by Johann Hari (Bloomsbury)
A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James (One World)
The Gracekeepers by Kirsty Logan (Harvill Secker)
Mrs Engels by Gavin McCrea (Scribe)
Stammered Songbook by Erwin Mortier (Pushkin Press)
Don’t Let Him Know by Sandip Roy (Bloomsbury)
The Curator by Jacques Strauss (Jonathan Cape)