Hornby novel takes top fiction prize

Nick Hornby's How To Be Good has been named the UK's favourite novel of the year at the WH Smith Book Awards.

He saw his fourth book take the fiction prize, beating shortlisted works by Joanne Harris and Ian McEwan, at the ceremony for which winners are voted by readers.

Each of Hornby's previous books have been turned into movies, the latest of which About A Boy starring Hugh Grant, receives its premiere on Sunday.

How To Be Good saw Hornby drop the laddish perspective of his earlier outings to write through the eyes of a woman, but it drew a mixed response from critics.

Although McEwan lost out in the fiction category, he did land the literary prize - the only title at the awards not voted for by the public.

His novel Atonement impressed the judging panel and game him some comfort after narrowly missing out on a string of major prizes over the past year.

He was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and Whitbread Novel Award, but went away empty-handed, but this time beat volumes by PD James and Niall Griffiths.

Nigella Lawson landed the home and lifestyle prize for the second year running with Nigella Bites, which beat offerings by Jamie Oliver and Rick Stein.

Former journalist Emily Barr was named the year's hottest new talent for her book Backpack. The writer spent a year travelling the world and writing a column about her travels for The Guardian before penning the book.

Beverley Hodson, managing director of WH Smith UK Retail said the awards attracted a "staggering number of votes, which is testament to the fact that we are truly passionate about the books we read".

Full list of winners for the WHSmith Book Awards 2002:

New talent award - Backpack, Emily Barr.

Fiction award - How To Be Good, Nick Hornby.

Home and leisure award - Nigella Bites, Nigella Lawson.

Biography/autobiography award - Billy, Pamela Stephenson.

Travel writing award - The Weekenders, Alex Garland, Tony Hawks, Irvine Welsh, Victoria Glendinning, WF Deedes, Andrew O'Hagan & Giles Foden.

Business award - The Rise and Fall of Marks & Spencer, Judi Bevan.

General knowledge award - The Blue Planet, Alastair Fothergill, Martha Holmes & Andrew Byatt.

Children's book of the year - Artemis Fowl, Eoin Colfer.

Literary award - Atonement, Ian McEwan.