The British Book Awards 2022 Winners
It is our great pleasure to confirm the winners of the 2022 British Book Awards – or Nibbies – with former Waterstones Book of the Year nominee You are a Champion by Marcus Rashford and Carl Anka triumphing as both Overall Winner and Children’s Non-fiction Book of the Year.
Marcus Rashford has proven himself to be a remarkable role model for the nation’s children, and now he delivers an inspirational volume to help develop the game-changers and ethical crusaders of tomorrow.
‘Marcus Rashford wanted a book to inspire a generation of kids who are often hard to reach and for whom books might not have been a big part of their childhood. He and his publisher have succeeded spectacularly… You Are A Champion is wholesome and positive and another brilliant example of the legacy that Marcus is sure to leave behind when his playing days are long gone.’
Gabby Logan, Book of the Year Judge
The Category Winners
The leading awards for the book industry and unique in rewarding works that are not only brilliantly written but expertly published, the British Book Awards celebrate the breadth of publishing across ten shortlists. This year's list of category winners is also packed with Waterstones favourites, from our reigning Book of the Year The Lyrics by Paul McCartney and Paul Muldoon to Meg Mason’s glorious Sorrow and Bliss – our Fiction Book of the Month for May 2022.
Fiction Book of the Year Winner
£8.99
£7.49
Paperback
10+ in stock
Usually dispatched within 48 hours
Tackling the issue of long-term mental illness with wit and candour, Mason’s remarkable novel takes a rounded, empathetic look at the condition through the experiences of a middle-aged woman who has struggled to find contentment in her adult life.
Fiction Book of the Year Shortlist
Added to basket
£8.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£20.00
£10.00
Hardback
Added to basket
£9.99
£7.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£18.99
Hardback
Added to basket
£8.99
£7.49
Paperback
Added to basket
£16.99
£8.49
Hardback
Debut Fiction Book of the Year Winner
£9.99
£8.49
Paperback
10+ in stock
Usually dispatched within 48 hours
A tender and emotionally complex debut about the relationship between two young Black British artists, Open Water shines a light on the ways love and race can be interlinked in modern society.
Debut Book of the Year Shortlist
Added to basket
£9.99
£8.49
Paperback
Added to basket
£9.99
£8.49
Paperback
Added to basket
£8.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£9.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£8.99
£7.49
Paperback
Added to basket
£9.99
£8.49
Paperback
Crime & Thriller Book of the Year Winner
£8.99
£7.49
Paperback
10+ in stock
Usually dispatched within 48 hours
McIlvanney’s pioneering Laidlaw series of crime novels proved an immense inspiration to Ian Rankin and now the creator of Rebus completes his idol’s last, unfinished novel - and Laidlaw's origin story - in reverent yet typically compelling prose.
Crime & Thriller Book of the Year Shortlist
Added to basket
£8.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£8.99
£7.49
Paperback
Added to basket
£8.99
£6.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£8.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£8.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£8.99
£7.49
Paperback
Non-Fiction Lifestyle Book of the Year Winner
£75.00
Hardback
10+ in stock
Usually dispatched within 48 hours
In this stunning, intimate self-portrait from one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Paul McCartney traces his life from boyhood to the present day through the lyrics to 154 iconic songs, together with captivating commentary and never-before-seen photographs, drafts and letters.
Non-Fiction Lifestyle Book of the Year Shortlist
Added to basket
£20.00
Hardback
Added to basket
£9.99
£6.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£20.00
Hardback
Added to basket
£28.00
Hardback
Added to basket
£75.00
Hardback
Added to basket
£8.99
Paperback
Non-Fiction Narrative Book of the Year Winner
£9.99
Paperback
10+ in stock
Usually dispatched within 48 hours
An urgent, incisive account of how the depredations of its imperial past dog Britain’s view of itself today, Empireland is provocative, meticulously researched writing of the highest order.
Non-Fiction Narrative Book of the Year Shortlist
Added to basket
£9.99
£7.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£9.99
£8.49
Paperback
Added to basket
£9.99
£7.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£8.99
£6.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£10.99
£9.49
Paperback
Added to basket
£9.99
Paperback
Children's Fiction Book of the Year Winner
£7.99
Paperback
10+ in stock
Usually dispatched within 48 hours
As the Second World War escalates and bombs start to fall, Joseph is charged with protecting Adonis the gorilla in this nerve-shreddingly tense thriller based on a true story.
Children's Fiction Book of the Year Shortlist
Added to basket
£8.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£7.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£7.99
£6.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£8.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£20.00
£10.00
Hardback
Added to basket
£14.99
Hardback
Children's Illustrated Book of the Year Winner
£7.99
Paperback
10+ in stock
Usually dispatched within 48 hours
Former recipient of the Waterstones Children’s Book of the Year award Dapo Adeola crafts a tender and inspiring picture book about growing up Black, incorporating stunning artwork from eighteen illustrators of colour.
Children's Illustrated Book of the Year Shortlist
Added to basket
£7.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£7.99
Board book
Added to basket
£7.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£6.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£7.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£10.99
Paperback
Children's Non-Fiction Book of the Year Winner
£9.99
Paperback
10+ in stock
Usually dispatched within 48 hours
Marcus Rashford has proven himself to be a remarkable role model for the nation’s children, and now he delivers an inspirational volume to help develop the game-changers and ethical crusaders of tomorrow.
Children's Non-Fiction Book of the Year Shortlist
Added to basket
£8.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£12.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£9.99
Board book
Added to basket
£8.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£9.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£9.99
Paperback
Pageturner Book of the Year Winner
£8.99
Paperback
10+ in stock
Usually dispatched within 48 hours
A frustrated reporter and a potential Virgin birth inform the subtly absorbing narrative of Small Pleasures; a delicate, tender story about belief, credulity and tilting at happiness.
Pageturner Book of the Year Shortlist
Added to basket
£8.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£9.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£8.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£20.00
£10.00
Hardback
Added to basket
£8.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£8.99
Paperback
The Discover Book of the Year Winner
£9.99
Paperback
10+ in stock
Usually dispatched within 48 hours
Published as a book for the first time, this dynamic coming-of-age story and online sensation chronicles the charismatic Keisha as she navigates love, ambition and the challenges and dreams of her inner-city community.
The Discover Book of the Year Shortlist
Added to basket
£11.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£12.99
Hardback
Added to basket
£7.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£9.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£9.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£8.99
Paperback
Sign In / Register
Not registered? CREATE AN ACCOUNTCREATE A plus ACCOUNT
Sign In
Download the Waterstones App
Would you like to proceed to the App store to download the Waterstones App?
Click & Collect
Reserve online, pay on collection
Thank you for your reservation
Your order is now being processed and we have sent a confirmation email to you at
When will my order be ready to collect?
Following the initial email, you will be contacted by the shop to confirm that your item is available for collection.
Call us on or send us an email at
Unfortunately there has been a problem with your order
Please try again or alternatively you can contact your chosen shop on or send us an email at