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Wednesday, 10 April, 2002, 00:14 GMT 01:14 UK
Hornby novel wins public's vote
![]() Hornby's first three books were turned into films
Nick Hornby's latest novel has been named the nation's favourite work of fiction at the WH Smith Book Awards, the only major UK book prize to be voted for by the public.
Hornby's fourth novel How To Be Good was voted the year's best work of fiction at the awards, which are worth a total of £45,000. Hornby has become one of the best-selling authors in the UK, and his first three books have been turned into feature films.
He beat competition from Ian McEwan, Anita Shreve, Joanne Harris and Wilbur Smith. Pamela Stephenson's acclaimed biography of her husband, comic Billy Connolly, simply called Billy, came out on top in the category for best biography or autobiography.
It was preferred to works by the former Speaker of the House of Commons, Betty Boothroyd, and Weakest Link presenter Anne Robinson, among others. Celebrity chef Nigella Lawson's Nigella Bites was the winner in the home and leisure section, taking over from Jamie Oliver, last year's winner. Although Ian McEwan's Atonement was not victorious in the public vote, it was given the literary prize by a panel headed by John Carey. The literary prize has been in running for 44 years and runs in parallel to the public poll. New talent Others to top the votes in their categories included Judi Bevan for her business account of the fortunes of Marks and Spencer, and Eoin Colfer for children's book Artemis Fowl. Emily Barr was named the best new talent, while the team behind the book to accompany TV show The Blue Planet triumphed in the general knowledge category. Votes were taken via the internet and by post, as well as at WH Smith shops. In 2001 more than 65,000 voters took part in choosing the award winners.
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