The British Book Awards 2026 Reveal Their Shortlists

The British Book Awards - widely known in the publishing industry as the Nibbies - celebrate the titles and authors that have made the biggest impact on readers and the book market in the UK. Organised by The Bookseller, the annual awards recognise both literary achievement and commercial success across a wide range of categories.

The 2026 shortlists highlight how diverse contemporary fiction has become, from bestselling thrillers to viral romance novels and major fantasy releases. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony in London on 11 May 2026.

The Fiction Book of the Year category brings together novels that have stood out for their storytelling and popularity among readers. The shortlist includes both literary and mainstream titles that have dominated bestseller charts and sparked discussion among critics and book clubs. Shortlisted titles include:

• Boleyn Traitor by Philippa Gregory

• Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

• Heart the Lover by Lily King

• My Friends by Fredrik Backman

• Strange Pictures by Uketsu

• The Rose Field by Philip Pullman 

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Crime fiction continues to be one of the strongest segments of the UK book market. This year’s shortlist features several well-known authors as well as fresh voices in the genre. Shortlisted titles include:

• A Case of Mice and Murder by Sally Smith

• Death at the White Hart by Chris Chibnall

• The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

• The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman

• The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown

• The Tenant by Freida McFadden

Meanwhile Romantic Fiction Book of the Year is one of the newest additions to the awards. The category reflects the genre’s rapidly growing audience and the influence of online reading communities that have helped many romance titles reach international bestseller lists. Shortlisted titles include:

• All Together for Christmas by Sarah Morgan

• An Almost Perfect Summer by Jill Mansell

• Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

• King of Envy by Ana Huang

• Our Sweet Violet by Rosie Goodwin

• The Strawberry Patch Pancake House by Laurie Gilmore

  
  

Science fiction and fantasy have also gained their own category, reflecting the genre’s growing mainstream popularity and the success of large fantasy series among global audiences. Shortlisted titles include:

• Alchemised by SenLinYu

• Brimstone by Callie Hart

• Ice by Jacek Dukaj (translated by Ursula Phillips)

• Katabasis by R. F. Kuang

• Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

• The Devils by Joe Abercrombie

  
  

The Debut Fiction category highlights new writers whose first novels have attracted strong attention from readers and the publishing industry. These books often introduce distinctive voices and fresh perspectives to the fiction landscape. Shortlisted titles include:

• Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis

• Nesting by Roisín O’Donnell

• The Artist by Lucy Steeds

• The Boy from the Sea by Garrett Carr

• The House of Wolf by Tony Robinson

• The Names by Florence Knapp

  
  

In addition to the individual book prizes, the awards also recognise Author of the Year, honouring writers whose work has had a particularly strong cultural and commercial presence over the past year. Together, the fiction categories provide a snapshot of the stories and authors that have captured readers’ attention across genres and generations.

See all shortlisted categories here.