The Locus Magazine Recommended Reading List is an annual, extensive list of the year’s best Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror books, novellas, novels, and short stories, compiled by Locus editors and reviewers, published last year. Announced each February, this list serves as a guide for readers and a basis for Locus Awards nominations. This year they looked at over 1,000 titles between short and long fiction.
Here are the items from the 2025 list that are in the TBP collection.
SCIENCE FICTION NOVELS
SUNWARD by William Alexander (IN PROCESS)
FOLDED SKY by Elizabeth Bear (DB 131985)
OUTLAW PLANET by M. R. Carey (DB 133439 IN PROCESS)
MODERATION by Elaine Castillo (DB 131689)
BOOK OF GUILT by Catherine Chidgey (DB 133144 IN PROCESS)
DREAM HOTEL by Laila Lalami (DB 127950)
METALLIC REALMS by Lincoln Michel (DB 130471)
WHERE THE AXE IS BURIED by Ray Nayler (DB 129470)
SLOW GODS by Claire North (DB 133944 IN PROCESS)
DEATH OF THE AUTHOR by Nnedi Okorafor (DB 127592, BR 26389 IN PROCESS)
ONE WAY WITCH by Nnedi Okorafor (DB 129970)
ESPERANCE by Adam Oyebanji (DB 130707)
SHROUD by Adrain Tchaikovsky (DB 133509 IN PROCESS)
BOOK OF RECORDS by Madeleine Thien (DB 130513)
FANTASY NOVELS
DEVILS by Joe Abercrombie (DB 129814, BR 26297 IN PROCESS, en español DB 131391 EN PROCESO)
TOMB OF DRAGONS by Katherine Addison (DB 128864)
DROP OF CORRUPTION by Robert Jackson Bennett (DB 130146)
ONCE WAS WILLEM by M. R. Carey (DB 128765)
EVERLASTING by Alix E. Harrow (DB 133195 IN PROCESS)
RAVEN SCHOLAR by Antonia Hodgson (DB 129533)
HONEYEATER by Kathleen Jennings (DB 133964 IN PROCESS)
WRITTEN ON THE DARK by Guy Gavriel Kay (DB 129930, BR 26303 IN PROCESS)
HEMLOCK AND SILVER by T. Kingfisher (DB 132568)
KATABASIS by R. F. Kuang (DB 132323, BR 26579 IN PROCESS)
ADVENTURES OF MARY DARLING by Pat Murphy (DB 132409)
HARMATTAN SEASON by Tochi Onyebuchi (DB 130585)
ROSE FIELD by Philip Pullman (DB 133524 IN PROCESS)
SHADOW TICKET by Thomas Pynchon (DB 133273 IN PROCESS, LB 0007823)
ISLE IN THE SILVER SEA by Tasha Suri (DB 133437 IN PROCESS)
INCANDESCENT by Emily Tesh (DB 130051)
QUEEN DEMON by Martha Wells (DB 133426 IN PROCESS)
HORROR NOVELS
WE LOVE YOU, BUNNY by Mona Awad (DB 133174 IN PROCESS)
POSSESSION OF ALBA DIAZ by Isabel Cañas (DB 132041, BR 26485 IN PROCESS)
SPREAD ME by Sarah Gailey (DB 133263 IN PROCESS)
KING SORROW by Joe Hill (DB 133680 IN PROCESS)
BUFFALO HUNTER HUNTER by Stephen Graham Jones (DB 128581, BR 26200 IN PROCESS)
LIBRARY AT HELLEBORE by Cassandra Khaw (DB 131155)
NEVER FLINCH by Stephen King (DB 130236, BR 26240 IN PROCESS, LB 0005618)
BEWITCHING by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (DB 131290, LB 0005631)
IT WAS HER HOUSE FIRST by Cherie Priest (DB 131291)
STAIRCASE IN THE WOODS by Chuck Wendig (DB 128922)
YOUNG ADULT NOVELS
SINGULAR LIFE OF ARIA PATEL by Samira Ahmed (DB 129799)
MAKE ME A MONSTER by Kalynn Bayron (DB 133990 IN PROCESS)
COSTUMES FOR TIME TRAVELERS by A. R. Capetta (DB 130109)
EXECUTIONERS THREE by Susan Dennard (DB 132374)
NEEDY LITTLE THINGS by Channelle Desamours (DB 127322)
UNDERWOOD TAPES by Amanda DeWitt (DB 127608)
AMONG GHOSTS by Rachel Hartman (DB 130616)
SKY ON FIRE by E. K. Johnston (DB 131193)
TRANSITION by Logan-Ashley Kisner (DB 133675 IN PROCESS)
STARSTRIKE by Yoon Ha Lee (DB 131928 IN PROCESS)
I AM NOT JESSICA CHEN by Ann Liang (DB 127426)
LEAVING ROOM by Amber McBride (DB 133678 IN PROCESS)
NIGHT SWIMMING by Aaron Starmer (DB 129430)
THEY BLOOM AT NIGHT by Trang Thanh Tran (DB 128117)
FIRST NOVELS
RED RABBIT GHOST by Jen Julian (DB 131683)
WHEN DEVILS SING by Xan Kaur (DB 130122)
DWELLING by Emily Hunt Kivel (DBC 32396)
AWAKE IN THE FLOATING CITY by Susanna Kwan (DB 131718)
LUMINOUS by Silvia Park (DB 128486)
NORTH SUN, OR, THE VOYAGE OF THE WHALESHIP ESTHER by Ethan Rutherford (DB 133051 IN PROCESS)
TRANSLATED NOVELS
ON THE CALCULATION OF VOLUME, III by Solvej Balle (DB 133345 IN PROCESS)
UNWORTHY by Agustina Maria Bazterrica and translated by Sarah Moses (DB 128442)
VANISHING WORLD by Sayaka Murata and translated by Ginny Tapley Takemori (DB 130304)
COLLECTIONS
SINKHOLE, AND OTHER INEXPLICABLE VOIDS: STORIES by Leyna Krow (DB 131784)
ANTHOLOGIES
NIGHT AND DAY: DREADFUL DARK: TALES OF NIGHTTIME HORROR/MERCILESS SUN: TALES OF DAYLIGHT HORROR edited by Ellen Datlow (DB 132678)
THESE BODIES AIN’T BROKEN edited by Madeline Dyer (IN PROCESS)
END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT: NEW TALES OF STEPHEN KING’S THE STAND edited by Christopher Golden and Brian Keene; introduction by Stephen King (DB 132544, BR 26600 IN PROCESS)
NON-FICTION
ENSHITTIFICATION: WHY EVERYTHING SUDDENLY GOT WORSE AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT by Cory Doctorow (DB 133269)
ILLUSTRATED AND ART BOOKS
INVISIBLE PARADE by Leigh Bardugo (DB 132020)
NOVELLAS
RIVER HAS ROOTS by Amal El-Mohtar (DB 128099)
WHAT STALKS THE DEEP by T. Kingfisher (DB 133159)
CINDER HOUSE by Freya Marske (DB 133193)
AUTOMATIC NOODLE by Annalee Newitz (DB 131818)
MOUTHFUL OF DUST by Nghi Vo (IN PROCESS)
DON’T SLEEP WITH THE DEAD by Nghi Vo (DB 129212)
MURDER BY MEMORY by Olivia Waite (DB 128766, LB 0005762)
BRIGHTER THAN SCALE, SWIFTER THAN FLAME by Neon Yang (DB 130327)
SHORT STORIES
“Secret Night“ by Nathan Ballingrud (Night & Day DB 132678)
“Fear of the Dark“ by Benjamin Percy (Night & Day DB 132678)
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.
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 españolDB 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)
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)
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)
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)
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.
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)
Since 2009, the Texas Library Association has created a list that highlights outstanding fiction published during the year that merits special attention from adult readers. This list is the Lariat Adult Fiction Reading List. Here are the items from the 2026 list that are in the TBP collection.
The Texas Library Association has created a list that highlights outstanding nonfiction published during the past three years that stimulate reading for pleasure and personal learning. This list is the Texas Topaz Reading List. Here are the items from the 2026 list that are in the TBP collection.
10: A MEMOIR OF FAMILY AND THE OPEN ROAD by E. A. Hanks (DB 129565)
99% PERSPIRATION: A NEW WORKING HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE by Adam Chandler (DB 126380)
ALSOSPEAK: HOW SOCIAL MEDIA IS TRANSFORMING THE FUTURE OF LANGUAGE by Adam Aleksic (DB 130700)
ART SPY: THE EXTRAORDINARY UNTOLD TALE OF WWII RESISTANCE HERO ROSE VALLAND by Michelle Young (DB 130698)
AWAKE: A MEMOIR by Jen Hatmaker (DB 133020 IN PROCESS)
BEAST IN THE CLOUDS: THE ROOSEVELT BROTHERS’ DEADLY QUEST TO FIND THE MYTHICAL GIANT PANDA by Nathalia Holt (DB 131102)
CABIN: OFF-THE-GRID ADVENTURES WITH A CLUELESS CRAFTSMAN by Patrick Hutchison (DB 126568)
CODE DEPENDENT: LIVING IN THE SHADOW OF AI by Madhumita Murgia (DB 122004)
DAUGHTER OF DARING: THE TRICK-RIDING, TRAIN-LEAPING, ROAD-RACING LIFE OF HELEN GIBSON, HOLLYWOOD’S FIRST STUNTWOMAN by Mallory O’Meara (DB 130759)
DINNER FOR VAMPIRES: LIFE ON A CULT TV SHOW (WHILE ALSO IN AN ACTUAL CULT!) by Bethany Joy Lenz (DB 125492)
DISNEY HIGH: THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE RISE AND FALL OF DISNEY CHANNEL’S TWEEN EMPIRE by Ashley Spencer (DB 125836)
DRAWN TESTIMONY: MY FOUR DECADES AS A COURTROOM SKETCH ARTIST by Jane Rosenberg (DB 126498)
FRAMED: ASTONISHING TRUE STORIES OF WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS by John Grisham and Jim McCloskey (DB 124686, LB 0001022)
GIRL ON GIRL: HOW POP CULTURE TURNED A GENERATION OF WOMEN AGAINST THEMSELVES by Sophie Gilbert (DB 130145)
GRIEF IS FOR PEOPLE by Sloane Crosley (DB 119523, LB 0000797)
HEY, HUN: SALES, SISTERHOOD, SUPREMACY, AND THE OTHER LIES BEHIND MULTILEVEL MARKETING by Emily Lynn Paulson (IN PROCESS)
MAILMAN: MY WILD RIDE DELIVERING THE MAIL IN APPALACHIA AND FINALLY FINDING HOME by Stephen Starring Grant (DB 132435)
MARRIAGE AT SEA: A TRUE STORY OF LOVE, OBSESSION, AND SHIPWRECK by Sophie Elmhirst (DB 131217)
MCMILLION$: THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE STORY OF HOW AN UNLIKELY PAIR OF FBI AGENTS BROUGHT DOWN THE MOST SUPERSIZED FRAUD IN FAST FOOD HISTORY by James Lee Hernandez (DB 123334)
NO MORE TEARS: THE DARK STORY OF JOHNSON & JOHNSON by Gardiner Harris (DB 128599)
RAISING HARE by Chloe Dalton (DB 128243)
RAW DOG: THE NAKED TRUTH ABOUT HOT DOGS by Jamie Loftus (DB 115180)
SCIENTIST AND THE SERIAL KILLER: THE SEARCH FOR HOUSTON’S LOST BOYS by Lisa Olsen (DBC 30800)
SNAFU: THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO HISTORY’S GEATEST SCREWUPS by Ed Helms (DB 129813)
SOCIOPATH: A MEMOIR by Patric Gagne (DB 120977, LB 0001397)
VANISHING TREASURES: A BESTIARY OF EXTRAORDINARY ENDANGERED CREATURES by Katherine Rundell (DB 125931)
WE WERE ONCE A FAMILY: A STORY OF LOVE, DEATH, AND CHILD REMOVAL IN AMERICA by Roxanna Asgarian (DB 114060)
WELL-TRAINED WIFE: MY ESCAPE FROM CHRISTIAN PATRIARCHY by Tia Levings (DB 125222)
The Texas Library Association has created a list that highlights outstanding nonfiction published during the past three years that stimulate reading for pleasure and personal learning. This list is the Texas Topaz Youth Reading List. Here are the items from the 2026 list that are in the TBP collection.
James Magnuson, a widely respected Austin author, died Sunday January 18 from complications from ALS. He published nine well-received novels, won awards for his work in film and television, and had many of his plays produced. He was also the director of the James A. Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas for more than 20 years. As director, he helped lead the Michener Center to prominence as one of a small handful of leading writing programs in the United States.
Here are the titles by James Magnuson in the TBP collection.
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.
The Spirit of Texas (SPOT) Reading Program aims to foster a deeper understanding of what it means to be a Texan and to cultivate an appreciation for the literary works of and about Texas and Texans. SPOT is a recommended reading list developed by public and school librarians from the Texas Library Association’s Young Adult Round Table (YART).
The purpose of the list is to encourage youth in grades 6-12 to explore a variety of current, high-quality books by Texas authors and illustrators and develop critical reading skills, and to foster greater interaction among Texas authors and illustrators, Texas librarians, and Texas youth.
Here are the titles from the 2026 list that are in the TBP collection.
