Airdrie author Len Pennie’s debut book ‘Poyums’ nominated for Books Are My Bag Readers Award

A well-read Airdrie author’s work has been selected as one of the UK’s books of the year.

Booksellers across Britain have revealed their top reads of 2024 as the shortlists are announced for the Books Are My Bag Readers Awards, sponsored by National Book Tokens and with support from various publishers.

Airdrie poet and mental-health advocate Len Pennie has been recognised in the poetry category for her debut book Poyums .

As reported by Lanarkshire Live in September, Len’s book has already scooped the Scots Language Award for Scots Book of the Year.

Poyums is a collection of 64 powerful poems – many of which are written in the Scots language.

Len has received widespread acclaim for her work in destigmatising mental ill health, promoting equality for women and the freedom of expression in the Scots language.

Since her October 2020 poem I’m No Havin’ Children was penned, Len’s Scots Word of the Day videos have reached worldwide audiences on TikTok.

Already recognised as an accomplished and exciting poet, Len has seen her work studied in schools across Lanarkshire and Scotland.

The Books Are My Bag Readers Awards are the only book awards with a shortlist curated by booksellers.

The public vote is open until this Sunday, November 3, with readers encouraged to cast their vote and have their say on the titles and authors they would like to win the awards.

On November 12, the winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at Foyles on Charing Cross Road hosted by TV presenter and author Charlene White.

Len is in esteemed literary company with her fellow nominees including best-selling author David Nicholls, for his new love story of first encounters, second chances and the search for human connection in You Are Here ; multi-award-winning and nominated author Noreen Masud, for her raw and beguiling memoir exploring identity and trauma, A Flat Place ; and former Conservative MP and cabinet member Rory Stewart for his searing inside story of Westminster in Politics on the Edge .

James Firth, co-owner of The Stripey Badger in Grassington and Readers Awards judge, said: “I’m very honoured and excited to be included in the panel to select the shortlist.

“There are some truly incredible nominations, and it was a challenge to narrow it down to just four books for each category.

“This award is a brilliant opportunity for readers and booksellers to come together and shout about their favourite books of the year; books that broaden horizons, teach us new perspectives and find cracking debut authors.”

Jude Brosnan, marketing manager at Stanfords and Readers Awards judge, added: “These awards are a wonderful chance for us to join forces with other bookshops and share what our customers have been enjoying reading.

“It really displays what a supportive group bookselling can be and that the close-knit relationships we share with our customers go above and beyond it being just a job for us.”

The shortlist categories open for public vote are: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, Young Adult Fiction, Children’s Fiction and Breakthrough Author.

The public is invited to vote for a winning title from each shortlist until 11pm on November 3 using this link.

In addition to voting in the categories above, the public is also encouraged to nominate their favourite book of the year – any book they’ve read in 2024 – as the Readers’ Choice winner.

Everyone who votes for the Books Are My Bag Readers Awards will be entered into a prize draw to win one of five £100 National Book Tokens.

Voters can increase their chances of winning by inviting others to vote via a referral link – a bonus entry is added for the referee for every referral received.

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