Best Book in the English Language (according to the British)

The Man Booker Prize is "awarded to the best full-length novel written in English by a citizen of the UK, the Commonwealth, Eire, Pakistan or South Africa." American and other authors are excluded from eligibility, even if they write in English. This year the Prize is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a contest for the best Booker title. The shortlist for the 40th anniversary Best of the Bookers contest consists of six titles chosen by a three-member panel. Soon after the announcement, British bookmakers released their odds on who they believe will win, with Salman Rushdie favored to take the title. Now the public, including you, will be able to vote for "the greatest Booker prize winner of all time" at the Man Booker Prize website. Results will be announced July 10.

The shortlist:

Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie
Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee
The Siege of Krishnapur by J.G. Farrell
The Conservationist by Nadine Gordimer
The Ghost Road by Pat Barker
Oscar and Lucinda by Peter Carey

For your summer reading, try one of these titles, all of which will stand the test of time. The Library’s Adult Summer Reading Program begins June 9. If you would rather have more of a "beach read", place a hold on a title from the Good Read's Spy Thrillers or Recent Mysteries.