This year, the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize is celebrating the exceptional 2024 shortlist by inviting six UK-based reading groups to shadow the 2024 Best Published Novel award. Read on to meet each of the groups and find out what makes them special and what titles they’ll be reading.
Clay Cross Book Club
Clay Cross Book Club is a vibrant community nestled in the heart of the historic ex-mining town of Clay Cross. They describe themselves as a tapestry of diversity, boasting a membership of 200 strong on Facebook, where individuals from all walks of life come together to share their love for literature. From young adults to seasoned readers, their members’ backgrounds are as varied as the genres of books they explore. United by a passion for reading, they engage in lively discussions, exchange perspectives, and foster a sense of camaraderie that transcends age and experience.
Clay Cross Book Club are reading Light Over Liskeard by Louis de Bernières
Gloucester Book Club
Whether it’s historical fiction, mystery, or contemporary romance, Gloucester Book Club dives into each book with enthusiasm and curiosity. When not immersed in the pages of a novel, they enjoy exploring local bookstores, attending author events, and sharing recommendations with fellow bookworms. Members’ insightful comments during book club meetings often spark lively debates and new ways of thinking about the stories they’ve read.
Gloucester Book Club are reading Hard by a Great Forest by Leo Vardiashvili
Boozy & Bookish
Boozy & Bookish are a lively book club that meets once a month in a tiny function room above a pub in central Brighton. They formed just a few months ago after an advertisement on Instagram successfully brought them together. None of them knew each other before joining, but they have quickly become a tight-knit group of friends who share a passion for both books and tipples! Their meetings have a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, making it easy to discuss their book of the month, while sharing drinks and laughs.
Boozy & Bookish are reading Saltblood by Francesca de Tores
Hackney Book Club
Hackney Book Club was founded in 2008, and since then they’ve read more than 190 books. Meeting once a month in the pub to discuss their chosen book, giving it a rating out of ten, they choose their reads based on member suggestions which are put to the vote. As well as reading books, members have gone on theatre tips, to author events, and an annual visit to Hay Festival together.
Hackney Book Club are reading Blessings by Chukwuebuka Ibeh
Farnham Young Adult Book Club
Farnham Young Adult Book Club was created by library assistants Georgia and Aly as a space for young people to meet and bond over a love of books (and biscuits). Their members are all aged between 18 and 30 and hail from all walks of life. Each month they select two books, from different genres, and members read either one or both for the following meeting.
Farnham Young Adult Book Club are reading The Curse of Pietro Houdini by Derek B. Miller
The Art Room Book Club
The Art Room Book Club is open to all who would like to participate. They choose books based on reviews from their members and read a new book each month. They meet at The Art Room studio which is owned by Kerry, the founder of the book club. They engage in friendly discussions, meet new friends, and socially connect with fellow reading enthusiasts. It is a very relaxed book club, sometimes people come along who have not yet finished the book! They love lively debates, cups of amazing tea and top-quality cheese boards!
The Art Room Book Club are reading Our Hideous Progeny by C. E. McGill
Get involved
Are you interested in reading any of the shortlisted titles? Find out more about the shortlist here.
If you work in a library or workplace and would like to promote the prize, you can download a free digital pack from our shop.
What do you think of the 2024 shortlisted titles? Which have you read and what will be added to your TBR pile? Add your comments below, or click any title above to leave a review.
Share your thoughts with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #AdventureWritingPrize. Don’t forget to follow and tag The Wilbur & Niso Smith Foundation (@Wilbur_Niso_Fdn) and The Reading Agency (@readingagency)!
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