Eyes on the prize
Set up as an alternative to the Booker Prize in 2014, the Folio Prize returns after a fallow year with a pleasingly diverse shortlist – probably because the chairwoman is the wonderful Egyptian writer, Ahdaf Soueif. In an interesting move, the list can now contain fiction and non-fiction, which is why The National contributor Robin Yassin-Kassab and Leila Al-Shami's Burning Country: Syrians in Revolution In War finds itself up against China Miéville's apocalyptic novel, This Census-Taker, and Hisham Matar's brilliant Libyan family memoir, The Return, competes with Madeleine Thien's Chinese epic, Do Not Say We Have Nothing. See the full list at www.rathbonesfolioprize.com
Staying the course
Talking of Madeleine Thien and prizes, the Canadian writer has also made it to the Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction shortlist. C E Morgan's The Sport Of Kings is also in the running for both awards. But we are most excited by the inclusion of Nigerian writer Ayobámi Adébáyo for Stay With Me – we interviewed her last month and she is as infectious and fascinating as her novel. The winner will be announced on June 7. Visit www.womensprizeforfiction.co.uk for more details.
Emirati Magic in the forest
Omani-Emirati Sharifa AlBadi has steadily been gaining plaudits for her short illustrated fantasy book, Themis Aella & The Magical Forest, which was published this year. It is the kind of story that demands to be looked at as well as read, so it is nice to see a short film has been posted exploring the world of Themis and her adventures. Search for Themis Aella on YouTube.
