Books selected by booksellers
Booksellers across the UK announce the shortlist for the 2024 Books Are My Bag Readers Awards. Sponsored by National Book Tokens, the awards celebrate the finest reads of the year, all handpicked by booksellers. Readers may vote for their favourite titles and authors.
A shortlist packed with literary stars
The 2024 shortlist includes some of the biggest names in fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and children’s literature. Best-selling authors such as David Nicholls, Noreen Masud, Hollie McNish, and Holly Jackson feature on the list, alongside new and emerging talent like Asako Yuzuki and Phil Earle.
This year’s categories include Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, Young Adult Fiction, Children’s Fiction, and Breakthrough Author. Readers are invited to cast their votes at Books Are My Bag before 3 November.
A unique celebration of books
What makes these awards special? Booksellers curate the shortlist, bringing together their unique insight into what readers truly enjoy. This year’s judging panel includes representatives from bookshops across the country, from Stanfords to Waterstones, and smaller independents like The Stripey Badger and Sevenoaks Bookshop.
The winners will be announced on 12 November at a ceremony hosted by Charlene White at Foyles Charing Cross. Joel Rochester, a popular content creator, will provide exclusive behind-the-scenes coverage.
The 2024 shortlist highlights
In the Fiction category, David Nicholls is nominated for You Are Here, a touching love story. Holly Jackson is shortlisted for her thrilling new novel, The Reappearance of Rachel Price, while Asako Yuzuki’s Butter, a Japanese bestseller, also features.
Rory Stewart’s political memoir Politics on the Edge leads the Non-Fiction category, alongside Noreen Masud’s deeply personal A Flat Place. In Poetry, Hollie McNish shines with Lobster: and other things I’m learning to love.
Young readers are well-represented too, with Phil Earle’s Northern Soul and Ross Montgomery’s I Am Rebel making the Young Adult Fiction and Children’s Fiction lists, respectively.
Cast your vote and have your say
Voting is now open, and the public has the chance to influence which books take home the awards. Readers can also nominate their favourite book of the year in the Readers’ Choice category.
For more information and to vote, visit Books Are My Bag.
This is your chance to celebrate the best books of 2024 and champion the stories that captured your heart.
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