These are officially the 6 best books of the past year

The British Book Awards took place in London on Monday, revealing the best written and most beautifully published books in six categories, celebrating the key genres of storytelling.

And although she didn't win in the six categories award, JK Rowling was honoured for her Outstanding Contribution to the book trade. Her and Jack Thorne's script for theatre show "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" became the biggest selling playscript since records began last year.

The awards also celebrated a record-breaking year for the publishing industry and the resurgence of print book sales, with Nielsen data showing that print sales of consumer book titles rose by almost 9% in 2016 to £1.55 billion. Overall sales of books reached £4.8 billion, the highest ever level.

These are the six best books of the past year:

1. Book of the Year and Fiction Book of the Year: "The Essex Serpent" by Sarah Perry

A "beautifully evocative gothic novel inspired by a local legend in Perry’s native Essex," the book was awarded for its "charismatic author, sublime storytelling, [and] exquisite cover design." It was also the Waterstones Book of the Year.

2. Debut Book of the Year: "What Belongs to You" by Garth Greenwell

Published by Picador (Pan Macmillan), "What Belongs to You" is "dark and intensely poetic," called "one of the biggest international literary sensations of 2016."

3. Crime & Thriller Book of the Year: "Dodgers" by Bill Beverly

The "coming-of-age debut thriller" is set in the criminal underworld of the US, and was published by the small independent No Exit Press.

4. Non-Fiction: Narrative Book of the Year: "East West Street" by Philippe Sands

"East West Street" blends history and memoir through its story of a family tragedy during the Nuremburg trials.

5. Non-Fiction: Lifestyle Book of the Year: "Hello, is this Planet Earth?" by Tim Peake

Astronaut Tim Peake's collection of breathtaking images of planet Earth taken from the International Space Station earned him the Lifestyle Book of the Year accolade.

6. Children’s Book of the Year:"The Girl of Ink and Stars" by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Beating JK Rowling to Children's Book of the Year, "The Girl of Ink and Stars" is a "lyrical young adult novel" which also won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2017.

These are officially the 6 best books of the past year

These are the six best books of the past year:

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