Booker prize prize (now with the winner)

My friend Sanna now works for the Man Group sponsor of the Booker prize and won a couple of tickets in a work raffle to readings from the shortlisted contenders for this years award (listed below).
She invited me.

Wolf Hall: A Novel

Hilary Mantel

And I'm so glad she did because I've never been to a book reading before and I've never been inside the Queen Elizabeth Hall before.
Four of the six shortlisted authors were their to read excerpts and then take part in a Q&A. One of the remaining two JM Coetzee being in Australia (he sent a filmed reading) and Sarah Waters was ill and her editor read for her.
Firstly it made we want to immediately pick up three books and read them. Secondly it was fascinating to hear published and successful authors discuss not only their books but the process of writing.
Sadly I've never read any of these writers' books shortlisted or otherwise but what the hour and a half revealed about their personalities definitely pushed some closer to my reading lists than others.
A S Byatt turned up with her book in a carrier bag and plopped it down beside her seat which initially endeared me to her but she came across as stern, proclaiming she didn't let anyone read her manuscript before it went to her publisher. She made a point of saying her publisher rarely changed it. She reminded me of my old English teacher who terrified me.
On the other hand Hilary Mantel was witty and jovial,

The Children's Book

A.S. Byatt

answering what was an unintentionally insulting question with patience and without a hint of being angered. I could imagine having afternoon tea and cakes with her and a good old chin wag or even a glass of good red wine or two.
The saying is you shouldn't judge a book by its cover and perhaps it should be extended to or its author too but it's hard not to. I was draw to the personality of the author and feel that if I can relate to them or feel entertained by them in someway then I'm sure I'll enjoy their novel.
Tomorrow night the winner will be revealed. I'll be rooting for Hilary and I'll definitely be getting her book Wolf Hall, just as soon as it's available in paperback. I may try AS Byatt just to see if my impression of her translates to her book.

The shortlisted books for the 2009 Man Booker prize are:
A S Byatt The Children's Book
J M Coetzee Summertime
Adam  Foulds The Quickening Maze
Hilary Mantel Wolf Hall
Simon Mawer The Glass Room
Sarah Waters The Little Stranger

Added 6 October: And the winner is....Hilary Mantel. Really pleased. Will definitely read it when it's out in paperback.