"Bookshops, and the people who work in them, are the best people in the entire world. Knowing I can walk into a bookstore, talk to a nice person about something we both love and walk away with some guaranteed happiness is such a wonderful comfort."
- Stuart Turton

The Books Are My Bag Readers Awards are one of a kind. They're the only book awards curated by bookshops and chosen by readers, like you!

The Books Are My Bag Readers Awards include seven shortlists which are chosen by booksellers across the UK and Ireland, while the Readers' Choice Award – nominated and chosen entirely by readers – completes the set.

The Books Are My Bag Readers Awards launched in 2016, in partnership with and sponsored by National Book Tokens. Learn more about previous winners of the Books Are My Bag Readers Awards.

Books Are My Bag Readers Awards 2025 key dates
Thursday 9 October, 9am: Books Are My Bag Readers Awards Shortlist Announcement & Public Vote Opens
Sunday 26 October, 11:59pm: Books Are My Bag Readers Awards Shortlist Public Vote Closes
Tuesday 4 November: Books Are My Bag Readers Awards Winners Announcement and Ceremony Livestream 

Keep up to date with campaign at:
facebook.com/booksaremybag
instagram.com/booksaremybag
youtube.com/booksaremybag
x.com/booksaremybag
#ReadersAwards

Thanks to our headline sponsor, National Book Tokens, and to all of our sponsors, Bloomsbury, Bonnier Books UK, Canongate, Chicken House, David Fickling, DK, Faber & Faber, Hachette UK, HarperCollins Publishers, Little Tiger, Ingram Content Group, Pan Macmillan, Penguin Random House UK, Profile Books, Scholastic, Simon & Schuster, Usborne and Walker Books.

If you are a bookseller or publisher and would like more information about the campaign, please visit the Booksellers Association website.

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