2026 Libby Award Finalists

Posted on March 2, 2026 by Laura Jean

Celebrating the best in digital reading, the Libby Awards recognize outstanding ebooks and audiobooks across a variety of genres, highlighting the most compelling, thought-provoking, and widely loved titles of the year. The finalists were announced by OverDrive on February 4. Winners will be announced at the first ever live Libby Book Awards ceremony on March 3.

For more information, check out the Overdrive website.

Book of the Year – Adult Fiction

ATMOSPHERE: A LOVE STORY by Taylor Jenkins Reid and narrated by Julia Whelan and Kristen DiMercurio (DB 129909, BR 26357 IN PROCESS, en español DB 132477 EN PROCESO)

BUCKEYE by Patrick Ryan (DB 132250, LB 0007624)

Book of the Year – Adult Nonfiction

FLOWER TRAVELED IN MY BLOOD: THE INCREDIBLE TRUE STORY OF THE GRANDMOTHERS WHO FOUGHT TO FIND A STOLEN GENERATION OF CHILDREN by Haley Cohen Gilliland (DB 132040)

MARRIAGE AT SEA: A TRUE STORY OF LOVE, OBSESSION, AND SHIPWRECK by Sophie Elmhirst (DB 131217)

Book of the Year – YA Fiction

SISTERS IN THE WIND by Angeline Boulley (DB 132294, BR 26561 IN PROCESS)

SUNRISE ON THE REAPING by Suzanne Collins and narrated by Jefferson White (DB 127954, BR 26205)

Audiobook of the Year

KATABASIS by R. F. Kuang (DB 132323, BR 26579 IN PROCESS)

MY FRIENDS by Fredrik Backman (DB 129483, BR 26313)

Debut Author of the Year

ALCHEMISED by SenLinYu (DB 133250)

CORRESPONDENT by Virginia Evans (DB 129105, en español DB 132482 EN PROCESO)

Best Book Club Book

BOG QUEEN by Anna North (DB 133593 IN PROCESS)

WRECK by Catherine Newman (DB 133592 IN PROCESS)

Best Fantasy

ALCHEMISED by SenLinYu (DB 133250)

BURY OUR BONES IN THE MIDNIGHT SOIL by V. E. Schwab (DB 130243, BR 26386 IN PROCESS, LB 0005773)

Best Historical Fiction

ANTIDOTE by Karen Russell (DB 128240, BR 26309 IN PROCESS)

ISOLA by Allegra Goodman (DB 127226, BR 26597 IN PROCESS, LB 0002549)

Best Horror

BEWITCHING by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (DB 131290, LB 0005631)

BUFFALO HUNTER HUNTER by Stephen Graham Jones (DB 128581, BR 26200 IN PROCESS)

Best Memoir & Autobiography

ONE DAY EVERYONE WILL HAVE BEEN AGAINST THIS by Omar El-Akkad (DB 127850, LB 0001346)

RAISING HARE by Chloe Dalton (DB 128243)

Best Middle Grade Book

ALL THE BLUES IN THE SKY by Renée Watson (DB 129740)

Best Mystery

LIBRARIANS by Sherry Thomas (DB 132690)

MURDER TAKES A VACATION by Laura Lippman (DB 131701)

Best Personal Improvement

SHIFT: MANAGING YOUR EMOTIONS – SO THEY DON’T MANAGE YOU by Ethan Kross (DB 131630, LB 0001314)

WE CAN DO HARD THINGS: ANSWERS TO LIFE’S 20 QUESTIONS by Glennon Doyle (IN PROCESS)

Best Picture Book

DON’T TRUST FISH by Neil Sharpson (DB 130282)

Best Romance

THESE SUMMER STORMS by Sarah MacLean (DB 131056, BR 26501 IN PROCESS)

IT HAD TO BE HIM by Adib Khorram (DB 133198)

Best Romantasy

KNIGHT AND THE MOTH by Rachel Gillig (DB 130050, BR 26391 IN PROCESS)

ONYX STORM by Rebecca Yarros (DB 127035, BR 25749 IN PROCESS, en español DB 127448)

Best Science Fiction

DEATH OF THE AUTHOR by Nnedi Okorafor (DB 127592, BR 26389 IN PROCESS)

WHAT WE CAN KNOW by Ian McEwan (DB 133247 IN PROCESS, LB 0005874)

Best Thriller

JULIE CHAN IS DEAD by Liann Zhang (DB 129576, LB 0008599)

GHOSTWRITER by Julie Clark (DB 133889 IN PROCESS)

Readers’ Choice

ONYX STORM by Rebecca Yarros (DB 127035, BR 25749 IN PROCESS, en español DB 127448)

GREAT BIG BEAUTIFUL LIFE by Emily Henry (DB 129103, BR 26246, LB 0003604, en español DB 132355)

Audie Awards Finalists 2026

Posted on February 25, 2026 by Laura Jean

The Audio Publishers Association (APA) announced the finalists for the 2026 Audie Awards on Thursday January 29, “recognizing distinction in audiobooks and spoken-word entertainment.” Winners will be announced at the Audie Awards Gala at The Avalon in Los Angeles on Monday March 2, 2026.

For more information check out the Audie Awards website.

Here are the finalists for 2026 that are in the TBP collection.

Audiobook of the Year

DEVIL REACHED TOWARD THE SKY: AN ORAL HISTORY OF THE MAKING AND UNLEASHING OF THE ATOMIC BOMB by Garrett M. Graff and narrated by Edoardo Ballerini and the author (DB 132078)

KING OF ASHES by S. A. Cosby and narrated by Adam Lazarre-White (DB 130044)

SHIELD OF SPARROWS by Devney Perry and narrated by Samantha Brentmoor and Jason Clarke (DB 131076, LB 0005766)

SUNRISE ON THE REAPING by Suzanne Collins and narrated by Jefferson White (DB 127954, BR 26205)

WILD DARK SHORE by Charlotte McConaghy and narrated by Katherine Littrell, Saskia Maarleveld, and Steve West (DB 127669, BR 26326 IN PROCESS)

Autobiography/Memoir

CHER: PART 1 by Cher and narrated by Cher and Stephanie J. Block (DB 125936, BR 26311 IN PROCESS, LB 0001238)

CODE NAME: PALE HORSE: HOW I WENT UNDERCOVER TO EXPOSE AMERICA’S NAZIS by Scott Payne with Michelle Shephard and narrated by Scott Payne (DB 131185)

MATRIARCH by Tina Knowles and narrated by Tina Knowles, Beyoncé, Solange, Kelly Rowland, and Angie Beyincé (DB 130053, LB 0003863)

NOBODY’S GIRL: A MEMOIR OF SURVIVING ABUSE AND FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE by Virginia Roberts Giuffre and narrated by Thérèse Plummer and Gabra Zackman (DB 133461 IN PROCESS, LB 0008608)

Best Fiction Narrator

Marin Ireland for FOR MY FRIENDS by Fredrik Backman (DB 122178)

Best Nonfiction Narrator

Dion Graham for REMEMBER US: AMERICAN SACRIFICE, DUTCH FREEDOM, AND A FOREVER PROMISE FORGED IN WORLD WAR II by Robert M. Edsel (DB 130169)

Blair Underwood for TRULY by Lionel Richie (DB 133699 IN PROCESS, LB 0005632)

Helen Stern for WOMEN’S ORCHESTRA OF AUSCHWITZ: A STORY OF SURVIVAL by Anne Sebba (DB 132439)

Dion Graham for ZORG: A TALE OF GREED AND MURDER THAT INSPIRED THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY by Siddharth Kara (DB 133314)

Business/Personal Development

LET THEM THEORY: A LIFE-CHANGING TOOL THAT MILLIONS OF PEOPLE CAN’T STOP TALKING ABOUT written and narrated by Mel Robbins (DB 128550, en español DB 130218 narrado por Leyla Ragnel)

NEXT CONVERSATION: ARGUE LESS, TALK MORE written and narrated by Jefferson Fisher (DB 128074, LB 0003153)

STRONG GROUND: THE LESSONS OF DARING LEADERSHIP, THE TENACITY OF PARADOX, AND THE WISDOM OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT written and narrated by Brené Brown (DB 133337 IN PROCESS, LB 0005812)

Ensemble Performance Finalists (New)

BIRD IN THE AIR MEANS WE CAN STILL BREATHE by Mahogany L. Browne and narrated by Emana Rachelle, Ozzie Jacobs, Elena Rey, Karen Dziekonski, Nile Bullock, Nile, Andrea Emmes, Brandon Miles, Kiebpoli Calnek, Ali Nasser, Tyla Collier, Tyla, Marie-Françoise, Ron Butler, Chantelle Ramdeen, Chantelle, Mahogany L. Browne, Mahogany L., and Amir Royale (DB 128246)

CORRESPONDENT by Virginia Evans and narrated by Maggi-Meg Reed, Jane Oppenheimer, Carly Robins, Jeff Ebner, David Pittu, Chris Andrew Ciulla, Mark Bramhall, Petrea Burchard, Robert Petkoff, Kimberly Farr, Cerris Morgan-Meyer, Peter Ganim, Jade Wheeler, Jim Seibert, and Steve West (DB 129105, en español DB 132482 traducción de Renata Somar Aragón)

HEARTWOOD by Amity Gaige and narrated by Cary Hite, Alma Cuervo, Rebecca Lowman, Ali Andre Ali, Helen Laser, and Justine Lupe (DB 128729)

SOUNDTRACK by Jason Reynolds and narrated by Khaya Fraites, Nile Bullock, Robb Moreira, Rocky Anicette, Jasmin Richardson, Ryan Vincent Anderson, Mekhi Hewling, We Ani, Brandon Miles, Amir Royale, Nadine Simmons, Brandiss Seward, Christopher Grant, and Jade Williams (DB 130348)

Español – Spanish Language

EL HOMBRE por Guillermo Arriaga narrado por Javier Poza, Noé Velázquez, Dan Osorio, Chava Reyes, Pilar Escandón y Ariel Sainz (DB 133880 EN PROCESO)

ESPERANZA: LA AUTOBIOGRAFIA por Papa Francisco narrado por Gerardo Prat (DB 129367, in English DB 127574 narrated by Peter Ganim)

Faith-Based Fiction or Nonfiction

REBEL GIRLS OF ROME by Jordyn Taylor and narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya and Jesse Vilinsky (DB 131115)

Fantasy Finalists

ANIMA RISING by Christopher Moore and narrated by Mary Jane Wells (DB 130461, LB 0004776)

BURY OUR BONES IN THE MIDNIGHT SOIL by V. E. Schwab and narrated by Marisa Calin, Katie Leung, and Julia Whelan (DB 130243, BR 26386 IN PROCESS, LB 0005773)

EVERLASTING by Alix E. Harrow and narrated by Sid Sagar and Moira Quirk (DB 133195)

KNIGHT AND THE MOTH by Rachel Gillig and narrated by Samantha Hydeson (DB 130050, BR 26391 IN PROCESS)

Fiction

ATMOSPHERE: A LOVE STORY by Taylor Jenkins Reid and narrated by Julia Whelan and Kristen DiMercurio (DB 129909, BR 26357 IN PROCESS, en español DB 132477 en proceso y traducción de Bruno Álvarez Herrero)

FAVORITES by Layne Fargo and narrated by Christine Lakin, Christine, Louisa Zhu, Amy Landon, Elena Rey, Valerie Rose Lohman, Suzanne Toren, Graham Halstead, Julia Emelin, Eric Yang, and Johnny Weir (DB 126912, en español DB 130314 narrado por Jane Santos, Lalo Garza, Melissa Ocasio, Noemí Jiménez Furquet, Susana Ballesteros, Carolina Ayala, Victor Mares, Fabiola Stevenson, Julieth Restrepo, Beto Castillo, and Elisa Veiga)

JUNIE by Erin Crosby Eckstine and narrated by Angel Pean (DB 127478)

History/Biography

BALDWIN: A LOVE STORY by Nicholas Boggs and narrated by Ron Butler (DB 131983 IN PROCESS)

FATE OF THE DAY: THE WAR FOR AMERICA, FORT TICONDEROGA TO CHARLESTON, 1777-1780 by Rick Atkinson and narrated by the author and Grover Gardner (DB 129522)

SPINACH KING: THE RISE AND FALL OF AN AMERICAN DYNASTY by John Seabrook and narrated by Dion Graham (DB 130984)

ZORG: A TALE OF GREED AND MURDER THAT INSPIRED THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY by Siddharth Kara and narrated by Dion Graham (DB 133314)

Horror

BAT EATER AND OTHER NAMES FOR CORA ZENG by Kylie Lee Baker and narrated by Natalie Naudus (DB 129589)

BREATHE IN, BLEED OUT by Brian McAuley and narrated by Jeremy Carlisle Parker (DB 132583)

BUFFALO HUNTER HUNTER by Stephen Graham Jones and narrated by Shane Ghostkeeper, Shane, Marin Ireland, and Owen Teale (DB 128581, BR 26200 IN PROCESS)

COFFIN MOON by Keith Rosson and narrated by Pete Cross (DB 132618)

THEY BLOOM AT NIGHT by Trang Thanh Tran and narrated by Nhi Do (DB 128117)

Literary Fiction and Classics

33 PLACE BRUGMANN by Alice Austen and narrated by Joshua Riley, Shiromi Arserio, Jilly Bond, Nicholas Boulton, Billie Brown Fulford, Danielle Cohen, Raphael Corkhill, Matthew Lloyd Davies, James Meunier, and Simon Slater

DIRECTOR by Daniel Kehlmann, translated by Ross Benjamin, and narrated by Nicholas Boulton (DB 130035)

EMPEROR OF GLADNESS by Ocean Vuong and narrated by James Aaron Oh (DB 129518, BR 26312 IN PROCESS)

SO FAR GONE by Jess Walter and narrated by Edoardo Ballerini (DB 130251)

Middle Grade Finalists

ALL BLUES IN THE SKY by Renée Watson and narrated by Bahni Turpin (DB 129740)

J VS. K written and narrated by Kwame Alexander and Jerry Craft (DB 131093)

TROUBLE WITH HEROES by Kate Messner and narrated by Mack Gordon (DB 130798, LB 0005921)

WHALE EYES: A MEMOIR ABOUT SEEING AND BEING SEEN written and narrated by James Robinson (IN PROCESS)

Mystery Finalists

GONE BEFORE GOODBYE by Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben and narrated by Kiff VandenHeuvel, Peter Ganim, Suehyla El-Attar Young, Reese Witherspoon, Saskia Maarleveld, James Fouhey, Harlan Coben, and Chris Pine (DB 133207, LB 0005813)

QUEENS OF CRIME by Marie Benedict and narrated by Bessie Carter (DB 127315, LB 0003116)

VERA WONG’S GUIDE TO SNOOPING (ON A DEAD MAN) by Jesse Q. Sutanto and narrated by Eunice Wong (DB 128361, LB 0005664)

Narration by Author

EVERYTHING IS TUBERCULOSIS: THE HISTORY AND PERSISTENCE OF OUR DEADLIEST INFECTION written and narrated by John Green (DB 128745, LB 0005821)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: ESSAYS AND RUMINATIONS written and narrated by Alton Brown (DB 129920)

SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND HATE: A SANE PERSON’S GUIDE TO TAKING BACK THE BIBLE FROM FUNDAMENTALISTS, FASCISTS, AND FLOCK-FLEECING FRAUDS by John Fugelsang (DB 133578 IN PROCESS)

New Voice Award: Judges Category Finalists (New)

Lily Newmark for BOG QUEEN written by Anna North (DB 133593 IN PROCESS)

Shane Ghostkeeper for DEVIL IS A SOUTHPAW written by Brandon Hobson (DB 134023 IN PROCESS)

James Aaron Oh for EMPEROR OF GLADNESS written by Ocean Vuong (DB 129518, BR 26312 IN PROCESS)

Gem Carmella for RIVER HAS ROOTS by Amal El-Mohtar (DB 128099)

Nicole Cash for WE DON’T TALK ABOUT CAROL by Kristen L. Berry (DB 129901)

Nonfiction Finalists

DEATH IN THE JUNGLE by Candace Fleming and narrated by Karen Murphy (DB 129360)

EVERYTHING IS TUBERCULOSIS: THE HISTORY AND PERSISTENCE OF OUR DEADLIEST INFECTION written and narrated by John Green (DB 128745, LB 0005821)

FINE LINE BETWEEN STUPID AND CLEVER: THE STORY OF SPINAL TAP written and narrated by Rob Reiner with Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer with David Kamp (DB 132923)

RICK STEVES ON THE HIPPIE TRAIL: FROM ISTANBUL TO KATHMANDU written and narrated by Rick Steves (DB 127216)

SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND HATE: A SANE PERSON’S GUIDE TO TAKING BACK THE BIBLE FROM FUNDAMENTALISTS, FASCIASTS, AND FLOCK-FLEECING FRAUDS by John Fugelsang (DB 133578 IN PROCESS)

Production and Sound Design Finalists (New)

KING SORROW by Joe Hill and narrated by Jaime Lamchick, Mike Ortego, Micky Shiloah, Kristen Sieh, Pete Simonelli, Kevin Stillwell, Peter Ganim, Ari Fliakos, Virginia Kull, Dominic Hoffman, Marin Ireland, Kristen Ariza, Ian Shaw, Kate Mulgrew, and Tim Sample (DB 133680 IN PROCESS)

MILLIE FLEUR SAVES THE NIGHT by Christy Mandin and narrated by Elizabeth Knowelden (DB 131098)

RIVER HAS ROOTS by Amal El-Mohtar and narrated by Gem Carmella (DB 128099)

Romance Finalists

GREAT BIG BEAUTIFUL LIFE by Emily Henry and narrated by Julia Whelan (DB 129103, BR 26246, LB 0003604, en español DB 132355 Traducido por Ana Isabel Domínguez Palomo y María del Mar Rodríguez Barrena)

SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME by Abby Jimenez and narrated by Christine Lakin and Matt Lanter (DB 128459, BR 26395 IN PROCESS)

Science Fiction

SIMULTANEOUS by Eric Heisserer and narrated by Marin Ireland, Stephanie Sheh, and Ray Porter (DB 133613)

Short Stories/Collections Finalists

END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT: NEW TALES OF STEPHEN KING’S THE STAND edited by Christopher Golden and Brian Keene and narrated by Sean Patrick Hopkins and Adenrele Ojo (DB 132544, BR 26600 IN PROCESS)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: ESSAYS AND RUMINATIONS written and narrated by Alton Brown (DB 129920)

NOTES TO JOHN by Joan Didion and narrated by Julianne Moore (DB 129704, LB 0005725)

Thriller/Suspense Finalists

BEAUTIFUL UGLY by Alice Feeney and narrated by Richard Armitage, Tuppence Middleton, and Alice Fenney (DB 126338, LB 0002874)

DON’T LET HIM IN by Lisa Jewell and narrated by Tamaryn Payne, Louise Brealey, Patience Tomlinson, Richard Armitage, Joanne Froggatt, and Gemma Whelan (DB 131308, LB 0005870)

EVERYONE IS LYING TO YOU by Jo Piazza and narrated by Vas Eli, Saskia Maarleveld, Sarah Reny, and Rachel F. Hirsch (DB 130936, LB 0005722)

HAVOC by Christopher Bollen and narrated by Maggi-Meg Reed (DB 126616)

TO DIE FOR by David Baldacci and narrated by Zach Villa, Mela Lee, Cassandra Morris, Rena-Marie Villano, Christine Lakin, Christine, Will Collyer, Kiff VandenHeuvel, and Erin Bennett (DB 125480, LB 0001131)

Young Adult Finalists

LADY OR THE TIGER by Heather M. Herrman and narrated by Sophie Amoss (DB 130674)

OTHERWHERE POST by Emily J. Taylor and narrated by (DB 127649 IN PROCESS)

SCAMMER by Tiffany D. Jackson and narrated by January LaVoy (DB 133733 IN PROCESS)

SUNRISE ON THE REAPING by Suzanne Collins and narrated by Jefferson White (DB 127954, BR 26205)

UNDER THE SAME STARS by Libba Bray and narrated by January LaVoy, Jeremy Carlisle Parker, and Major Curda (DB 127015)

Young Listeners Finalists

HOW THE WORD IS PASSED: A RECKONING WITH THE HISTORY OF SLAVERY ACROSS AMERICA written and narrated by Clint Smith (DB 103908, LB 13361)

PRINCE AMONG SLAVES by N.H. Senzai and narrated by Junior Nyong’o and N. H. Senzai (DB 130280)

Nominees for the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay 2026

Posted on February 17, 2026 by Laura Jean

The Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay is the Academy Award (also known as an Oscar) for the best screenplay adapted from previously established material. The most frequently adapted media are novels, but other adapted narrative formats include stage plays, musicals, short stories, TV series, and even other films and film characters.

The 98th Academy Awards will announce the winner on Sunday March 15.

The original novels in the TBP collection are:

Hamnet
HAMNET by Maggie O’Farrell (DB 100166, LB 13507, en español DB 104982)

Frankenstein
FRANKENSTEIN by Mary Shelley (DB 25835, BT 03719, BT 0000225, LB 06283, en español DB 25706)

One Battle After Another
VINELAND by Thomas Pynchon (DB 30742)

Train Dreams
TRAIN DREAMS by Denis Johnson (DB 76608, BR 19564)

National Book Critics Circle Award Finalists 2025

Posted on February 11, 2026 by Laura Jean

The National Book Critics Circle honors outstanding writing and fosters a national conversation about reading, criticism, and literature. Each March, the National Book Critics Circle presents awards for the finest books published in English the previous calendar year. These are the only national literary awards chosen by critics themselves. The finalists were announced January 20, and the winners will be announced on March 26.

For more information, check out the National Book Critics Circle Awards.

Here are the NBCC Award Finalists for the 2025 publishing year that are in the TBP collection.

Fiction

ANTIDOTE by Karen Russell (DB 128240, BR 26309 IN PROCESS)

AUDITION by Katie Kitamura (DB 128873)

ON THE CALCULATION OF VOLUME, BOOK III by Solvej Balle and translated from the Danish by Sophia Hersi Smith and Jennifer Russell (DB 133345 IN PROCESS)

WE DO NOT PART by Kang Han and translated from the Korean by E. Yaewon and Paige Aniyah Morris (DB 126775)

WILDERNESS by Angela Flournoy (DB 132815 IN PROCESS)

Autobiography

MEMORIAL DAYS by Geraldine Brooks (DB 127658, BR 26364 IN PROCESS, LB 0001491)

MOTHER MARY COMES TO ME by Arundhati Roy (DB 132952 IN PROCESS)

PAPER GIRL: A MEMOIR OF HOME AND FAMILY IN A FRACTURED AMERICA by Beth Macy (DB 133313)

Biography

LOVE, QUEENIE: MERLE OBERON, HOLLYWOOD’S FIRST SOUTH ASIAN STAR by Mayukh Sen (DB 128319)

PRIDE AND PLEASURE: THE SCHUYLER SISTERS IN AN AGE OF REVOLUTION by Amanda Vaill (DB 133023 IN PROCESS)

TROUBLEMAKER: THE FIERCE, UNRULY LIFE OF JESSICA MITFORD by Carla Kaplan (IN PROCESS)

Nonfiction

AMERICA, AMÉRICA: A NEW HISTORY OF THE NEW WORLD by Greg Grandin (DB 129520)

DAUGHTERS OF THE BAMBOO GROVE: FROM CHINA TO AMERICA, A TRUE STORY OF ABDUCTION, ADOPTION, AND SEPARATED TWINS by Barbara Demick (DB 131346)

EMPIRE OF AI: DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES IN SAM ALTMAN’S OPENAI by Karen Hao (DB 129721)

KING OF KINGS: THE IRANIAN REVOLUTION: A STORY OF HUBRIS, DELUSION AND CATASTRIOPHIC MISCALCULATION by Scott Anderson (DB 131982)

NO MORE TEARS: THE DARK STORY OF JOHNSON & JOHNSON by Gardiner Harris (DB 128599)

Poems

NIGHT WATCH: POEMS by Kevin Young (DB 132834 IN PROCESS)

Criticism

ONE DAY, EVERYONE WILL HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AGAINST THIS by Omar El Akkad (DB 127850, LB 0001346)

TO SAVE AND TO DESTROY: WRITING AS AN OTHER by Viet Thanh Nguyen (DB 132412 IN PROCESS)

Gregg Barrios Book in Translation

SAD TIGER by Neige Sinno and translated from the French by Natasha Lehrer (DB 129828)

John Leonard Prize for Best First Book

BALDWIN: A LOVE STORY by Nicholas Boggs (DB 131983 IN PROCESS)

HUNCHBACK by Saō Ichikawa and translated from the Japanese by Polly Barton (DB 129296)

MOOD MACHINE: THE RISE OF SPOTIFY AND THE COSTS OF THE PERFECT PLAYLIST by Liz Pelly (DB 127671)

SLIP by Lucas Schaefer (DB 130508)

2026 TAYSHAS Reading List

Posted on January 22, 2026 by Laura Jean

The 2026 TAYSHAS Reading List is here! TAYSHAS takes its name from the Caddo Indian word meaning “friends or allies.” Written as texas, texios, tejas, teyas or tayshas, the word was applied to the Caddos by the Spanish in eastern Texas, who regarded them as friends and allies against the Apaches.

The goal of the TAYSHAS reading list is to motivate young adults to become lifelong readers and to participate in the Texas reading community. Students in grades 9-12 are encouraged to read books for pleasure from the list, which includes fiction and nonfiction titles. High school students are sure to find a favorite from this list! Here are the titles from the 2026 list that are in the TBP collection.

For more information, check out the Texas Library Association’s website.

Fiction

ALL THE NOISE AT ONCE by DeAndra Davis (DB 129268)

BETTER THAN REVENGE by Kasia West (DB 126531)

BINGSU FOR TWO by Sujin Witherspoon (DB 127165)

CRASHING INTO YOU by Rocky Callen (DB 122976)

CURIOUS KIND OF MAGIC by Mara Rutherford (IN PROCESS)

DARKLY by Marisha Pessl (DB 130776)

EVERY BORROWED BEAT by Erin Stewart (DB 128085)

EVERY TIME YOU HEAR THAT SONG by Jenna Voris (DB 120296)

EVERYTHING I PROMISED YOU by Katy Upperman (DB 127879)

FAKE SKATING by Lynn Painter (IN PROCESS)

GIRLS LIKE HER by Melanie Sumrow (DB 122609)

HEIR OF STORMS by Lauryn Hamilton Murray (DB 130335)

RULES FOR CAMOUFLAGE by Kirstin Cronn-Mills (DB 122196)

SHAMPOO UNICORN by Sawyer Lovett (DB 130728)

SISTERS IN THE WIND by Angeline Boulley (DB 132294)

SHIPSHOCK by Caroline O’Donoghue (DB 130152)

SUCH LOVELY SKIN by Tatiana Schlote-Bonne (DB 124537, BR 26296 IN PROCESS)

EXECUTIONERS THREE by Susan Dennard (DB 132374 IN PROCESS)

KILL FACTOR by Ben Oliver (DB 119820)

THIS IS WHERE WE DIE by Cindy R. X. He (IN PROCESS)

THIS THING OF OURS by Frederick Joseph (DB 131118)

TWENTY-FOUR SECONDS FROM NOW: A LOVE STORY by Jason Reynolds (DB 125122, BR 25712)

UNDER THE SAME STARS by Libba Bray (DB 127015)

WHEN WE RIDE by Rex Ogle (DB 129269)

Nonfiction

DEATH IN THE JUNGLE by Candace Fleming (DB 129360)

ROAD HOME by Rex Ogle (DB 122589)

2026 Lone Star Reading List

Posted on January 16, 2026 by Laura Jean

The Lone Star Reading List is developed by public and school librarians from the Texas Library Association’s Young Adult Round Table. The purpose of the list is to encourage students in grades 6, 7, or 8 to explore a variety of current books.

Here are the titles from the 2026 list that are in the TBP collection.

For more information, check out the Texas Library Association’s website.

SINGULAR LIFE OF ARIA PATEL by Samira Ahmed (DB 129799)

WESTFALLEN by Ann and Ben Brashares (DB 127249)

LEGEND OF THE LAST LIBRARY by Frank L. Cole (DB 125675)

IT’S WATCHING by Lindsay Currie (DB 130337)

STRONGEST HEART by Saadia Faruqi (DB 130966)

GIRL WHO KEPT THE CASTLE by Ryan Graudin (DB 126811)

BLOOD IN THE WATER by Tiffany D. Jackson (DB 131092)

ON AGAIN, AWKWARD AGAIN by Erin Entrada Kelly and Kwame Mbalia (DB 130931)

VANYA AND THE WILD HUNT by Sangu Mandanna (DB 129117)

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY by Maria Marianayagam (DB 130482)

TROUBLE WITH HEROES by Kate Messner (DB 130798)

WRONG WAY HOME by Kate O’Shaughnessy (DB 127603)

EXPERIMENT by Rebecca Stead (DB 132806 IN PROCESS)

CHRONICALLY DOLORES by Maya Van Wagenen (DB 120512, BR 25757)

Goodreads 2025 Choice Awards Announced

Posted on December 12, 2025 by Laura Jean

The social cataloging website for book lovers, Goodreads, has just announced their readers’ Choice Awards for 2025. The Texas Talking Book Program has a good number of them in our collection. We also have some of them in Spanish. They appear in the list below in BOLD. No matter which genre you enjoy, the bibliophiles at Goodreads have chosen a favorite book within that genre, published this year. Contact us and we can help you find your next favorite book.

For more information check out the Goodreads Website.

Best Fiction

MY FRIENDS by Fredrik Backman (DB 129483, BR 26313 IN PROCESS)

Best Historical Fiction

ATMOSPHERE: A LOVE STORY by Taylor Jenkins Reid (DB 129909, BR 26357 IN PROCESS, en español DB 132477 IN PROCESS)

Best Mystery and Thriller

NOT QUITE DEAD YET by Holly Jackson (DB 131109, LB 0005721)

Best Romance

GREAT BIG BEAUTIFUL LIFE by Emily Henry (DB 129103, BR 26246 IN PROCESS, LB 0003604, en español DB 132355 IN PROCESS)

Best Romantasy

ONYX STORM by Rebecca Yarros (DB 127035, BR 25749 IN PROCESS, en español DB 127448)

Best Fantasy

BURY OUR BONES IN THE MIDNIGHT SOIL by V. E. Schwab (DB 130243, BR 26386 IN PROCESS, LB 0005773)

Best Science Fiction

COMPOUND by Aisling Rawle (DB 130769)

Best Horror

WITCHCRAFT FOR WAYWARD GIRLS by Grady Hendrix (DB 126950, BR 25753, LB 0002960)

Best Debut Novel

ALCHEMISED by SenLinYu (IN PROCESS)

Best Audiobook

ONYX STORM by Rebecca Yarros and narrated by Rebecca Soler, Ted Hamilton, Justis Bolding, and Jasmin Walker (DB 127035, BR 25749 IN PROCESS)

Best Young Adult Fantasy

SUNRISE ON THE REAPING by Suzanne Collins (DB 127954, BR 26205 IN PROCESS, en español DB 128635)

Best Nonfiction

EVERYTHING IS TUBERCULOSIS: THE HISTORY AND PERSISTENCE OF OUR DEADLIEST INFECTION by John Green (DB 128745)

Best Memoir

HOUSE OF MY MOTHER: A DAUGHTER’S QUEST FOR FREEDOM by Shari Franke (DB 126942)

2025 Texas Writer Award – Dr. Peniel Joseph

Posted on October 21, 2025 by Laura Jean

Austin-based historian, educator, and author, Dr. Peniel Joseph has been named the 2025 Texas Writer Award recipient. The award honors a writer who has made outstanding contributions to Texas literature. Dr. Joseph will be honored with a custom pair of handmade boots from renowned El Paso-based bootmaker, Rocketbuster, during a special Festival Weekend ceremony. Learn more about Dr. Joseph’s work and life in his interview with TBF Literary Director Hannah Gabel. Check out the interview on the Texas Book Festival’s website.

Included are all of Dr. Joseph’s books in the NLS Collection:

DARK DAYS, BRIGHT NIGHTS: FROM BLACK POWER TO BARACK OBAMA (DB 71445)

FREEDOM SEASON: HOW 1963 TRANSFORMED AMERICA’S CIVIL RIGHTS REVOLUTION (DBC 32386)

SWORD AND THE SHIELD: THE REVOLUTIONARY LIVES OF MALCOLM X AND MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. (DB 99933)

THIRD RECONSTRUCTION: AMERICA’S STRUGGLE FOR RACIAL JUSTICE IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY (DB 113669)

WAITING ‘TIL THE MIDNIGHT HOUR: A NARRATIVE HISTORY OF BLACK POWER IN AMERICA (DB 64301)

2025 Longlist for the National Book Awards

Posted on October 16, 2025 by Laura Jean

The National Book Awards were established in 1950 to celebrate the best writing in America. Since 1989, they have been overseen by the National Book Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to celebrate the best literature in America, expand its audience, and ensure that books have a prominent place in American culture. Although other categories have been recognized in the past, the Awards currently honor the best Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Translated Literature, and Young People’s Literature published each year. For more information on the National Book Awards, check out their website.

The longlist for the 2025 National Book Awards was announced on September 10-12. The Finalists in all five categories were announced on Tuesday, October 7 with the New York Times. Winners will be announced live at the 76th National Book Awards Ceremony & Benefit Dinner on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.

For more information, check out the National Book Award’s website.

The nominees for this year’s National Book Awards in the TBP Collection (finalists are bolded):

Fiction

FLASHLIGHT by Susan Choi (DB 129795)

ANTIDOTE by Karen Russell (DB 128240, BR 26309 IN PROCESS)

Nonfiction

ONE DAY, EVERYONE WILL HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AGAINST THIS by Omar El Akkad (DB 127850, LB 0001346)

BLACK MOSES: A SAGA OF AMBITION AND THE FIGHT FOR A BLACK STATE by Caleb Gayle (DB 132241 IN PROCESS)

THINGS IN NATURE MERELY GROW by Yiyun Li (DB 130140)

Nobel Prize Winner 2025 – László Krasznahorkai

Posted on October 14, 2025 by Laura Jean

Hungarian author László Krasznahorkai took the prize this year for his “compelling and visionary oeuvre that, in the midst of apocalyptic terror, reaffirms the power of art,” said the Swedish Academy. For more information, check out the Nobel Prize website.

Books by László Krasznahorkai in the TBP Collection:

English Titles

BARON WENCKHEIM’S HOMECOMING (DB 97582)

HERSCHT 07769: FLORIAN HERSCHT’SBACH NOVEL (DB 125872)

Títulos Españoles

MELANCOLÍA DE LA RESISTENCIA (DB 129392)