Today's Read Team The British Book Awards 2025: Celebrating Literary Excellence
As the literary world gears up for the 2025 British Book Awards, marking its 35th anniversary, a diverse range of authors and genres have emerged in the nominations. This year’s shortlists showcase an array of themes, including politics, romance, nature, and fantasy, alongside the ever-popular genre of vampire fiction. Notable nominees include David Nicholls, Jamie Smart, Sarah J. Maas, and Gillian Anderson, among others.
Diverse Shortlists Reflecting Contemporary Themes
In an exciting display of talent, the shortlisted works span memoirs, retellings, graphic novels, time-travel stories, and even cookbooks. Prominent figures such as Boris Johnson and critics like Alexei Navalny feature in the political category, illustrating the awards’ reflection of current societal issues. Nature-themed books are prominently represented as well, including titles like You Are Here by Nicholls and Hamza’s Wild World by Hamza Yassin.
Competitive Categories for Esteemed Authors and Illustrators
The category for Author of the Year is particularly competitive this year, with nominations for AF Steadman, Lynda La Plante, and the fantasy queen Sarah J. Maas. Maw’s novel House of Flame and Shadow also contends for the Pageturner award. In the Illustrator of the Year category, Dav Pilkey, Jamie Smart, and others vie for recognition in their artistic endeavors.
Noteworthy Fictional Works in Contention for Book of the Year
This year’s Fiction shortlist represents some of the most highly anticipated literary works. Sally Rooney’s latest novel Intermezzo faces off against many beloved authors, including Colm Tóibín’s long-awaited follow-up to Brooklyn, titled Long Island, and Jacqueline Wilson’s adult debut, Think Again. Other contenders include All Fours by Miranda July and James by Percival Everett.
A Comprehensive Overview of Award Categories
The British Book Awards will feature thirteen distinct categories celebrating everything from Children’s Illustrated works to Non-Fiction and Audiobooks. This year marks the first time that full shortlists for both Author of the Year and Illustrator of the Year have been publicly announced.
- Children’s Illustrated
- Children’s Non-Fiction
- Children’s Fiction
- Fiction
- Debut Fiction
- Crime & Thriller
- Pageturner
- Non-Fiction: Lifestyle and Illustrated
- Non-Fiction: Narrative
- Audiobook: Fiction
- Audiobook: Non-Fiction
- Discover
- Overall Book of the Year
Judging and Awards Ceremony
Winners in each category will be determined by panels of judges, which include notable figures such as Mary Portas and Reeta Chakrabarti. The culmination of this year’s awards will take place at a ceremony on May 12, 2025, at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London.
Final Thoughts
With its expansive range of nominations and the celebration of literary talents, the British Book Awards 2025 promises to shine a light on the best in the book industry, showcasing the hard work and creativity of authors, illustrators, and their publishers. As Philip Jones, editor of The Bookseller and chair of the awards, noted: “The British Book Awards shortlists showcase all of the talents… These writers and illustrators thrill, challenge, inform, shock and entertain in equal measure.”
