Waterstones Book of the Year 2022
On the tenth anniversary of the award, it is our great pleasure to reveal The Story of Art Without Men by Katy Hessel as Winner of the Waterstones Book of the Year 2022. Bonnie Garmus scoops Author of the Year for her debut novel Lessons in Chemistry, whilst Skandar and the Unicorn Thief by A.F. Steadman is named Children's Book of the Year.
Our booksellers all agree: rarely is a book so groundbreaking and authoritative also so much fun. Blowing apart the artistic canon with passion, colour and effervescent style, Katy Hessel's magnificent The Story of Art Without Men – inspired by her hugely popular podcast The Great Women Artists – celebrates and shines a light on women artists.
From Artemisia Gentileschi to Lubaina Himid, our Book of the Year tells an enthralling story of influence and innovation featuring names seldom heard in previous art histories, and it does it with an accessibility and verve that is nothing short of irresistible. Beautifully produced with an abundance of breathtaking images and framed by striking graphic design, The Story of Art Without Men is a veritable work of art itself and the perfect gift to find under the tree this Christmas.
“Our booksellers championed The Story of Art Without Men from the start. It is a must-have for any booklover’s shelf: as essential as it is enjoyable. Written with wit and ease, the resulting book, packed full of beautiful illustrations, can be devoured in one-sitting or dipped into at a whim. This is a book which will be prized for years to come; a feast for the senses, as well as the mind.”
Kate Skipper, Waterstones Chief Operating Officer
Katy Hessel discusses The Story of Art Without Men
Available from 8 December, this exquisite slipcased version of the Waterstones Book of the Year 2022 - signed by Katy Hessel - represents a fantastic opportunity to own an instant classic of art history in a sumptuous edition to treasure forever on your bookshelf.
Waterstones Author of the Year 2022
Authors like Bonnie Garmus don’t come along very often. Decades working as a copywriter and science editor honed the Californian’s literary discipline, and a creative writing course in London perfected her natural sharp wit, flawless characterisation and storytelling skills.
Her debut novel Lessons in Chemistry – published when Garmus was 64 – introduced the unparalleled Elizabeth Zott, frustrated scientist in a conservative 1960s America who leads a quiet feminist revolution through her television cookery show. Booksellers immediately fell in love with both this inspirational, empowering main character and Garmus’ stunning ability to marry playful comedy and killer one-liners to moments of empathy and compassion. Waterstones – and the wider world – waits with bated breath for her next move.
Waterstones Children's Book of the Year 2022
The bedrock is, of course, an absolutely genius concept: warrior unicorns hatched in a mysterious island school and bonded to a specific rider. But whilst the premise may have drawn booksellers in, it was A.F. Steadman’s propulsive, page-turning storytelling that led them to passionately recommend Skandar and the Unicorn Thief to children, parents and just about anybody else that set foot on their shopfloor.
Hugely imaginative and epic in scope yet – crucially – rooted in credible characterisation with protagonists readers could take to their hearts, the story of Skandar Smith’s thrilling battle with the terrifying Weaver more than lived up to the hype bestowed upon it by its author’s seven-figure book deal. Make no mistake: Skandar and the Unicorn Thief heralds the biggest children’s fantasy series of its generation – and the good news is the second instalment is also now available to pre-order!
A.F. Steadman introduces Skandar's world of unicorns
The spectacular sequel to the mega-selling Skandar and the Unicorn Thief finds our young hero and his friends embarking on their second year at the Eyrie amidst the terrifying slaughter of immortal unicorns by sinister, unknown forces.
Waterstones Book of the Year 2022 on the Waterstones Blog
Katy Hessel's Favourite Reads of 2022
Art historian, curator, broadcaster and the author of The Story of Art Without Men Katy Hessel shares her top reads from this year.
Bonnie Garmus on the Origin of Elizabeth Zott
Bonnie Garmus, author of the must-read debut of 2022, Lessons in Chemistry, provides a little background detail on her magnificent heroine, Elizabeth Zott.
A.F. Steadman's Top Mythical Creatures in Books
A.F. Steadman, author of the game-changing new children's fantasy Skandar and the Unicorn Thief, picks her favourite mythical creatures in kids' fiction.
The Shortlist
Previous Winners
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