Recorded in front of a live audience with guest presenter Pandora Sykes, 2021 Women's Prize Chair of Judges Bernardine Evaristo shares the five books that have shaped her as a person and as a writer.

Bernardine Evaristo is an award-winning, number one bestselling writer, a Professor of Creative Writing and also an activist who endlessly campaigns for inclusivity within the publishing industry.

In 2019, she became the first Black woman to win the Booker Prize with her eighth book, Girl, Woman, Other. The same novel also earned her a spot on the Women’s Prize shortlist, and this year, she’s on the other side of the fence as Chair of Judges. Bernardine’s next book, Manifesto: On Never Giving Up, an urgent and powerful account of staying true to yourself and to your vision, comes out in October – pre-order it here.

Pandora Sykes is a journalist, broadcaster and writer, plus the co-creator and co-host of the No.1 women’s podcast, The High Low. Pandora also hosts Doing It Right and the 8-part BBC Radio 4 docu-series, Pieces of Britney.

Bernardine’s book choices are: 

** The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

** Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde

** The Bone People by Keri Hulme

** The Joys of Motherhood by Buchi Emecheta

** Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

Every week, join journalist and author Yomi Agedoke, and inspirational guests, including Elizabeth Day, Sara Pascoe and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie as they celebrate the best books written by women. The Women’s Prize for Fiction is one of the most prestigious literary awards in the world, and has been running for over 25 years, and this series will offer unique access to the shortlisted authors and the 2021 Prize winner. 

Produced by Bird Lime Media.

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