BookTok authors named for The British Book Awards 2023 shortlists

The British Books Awards are back with a bang, and the 12 category shortlists have familiar names if you’re a regular BookTok user.

The Bullet That Missed, The Twyford Code, Verity, The Satsuma Complex – chances are, even if you haven’t read these amazing titles, you’ve heard of them.

The awards honor books that have made a splash, sparked conversations and made the bestseller lists this year, and you’ll find big names like Stephen King, Julia Donaldson and Jamie Oliver as always.

But we’re also very happy to see the likes of Colleen Hoover, Dr. Julie Smith, Bolu Babalola, Adam Silvera and R.F. Kuang shortlisted, many of whom have gained fans through social media.

The British Book Awards, also known as the Nibbies, are the UK’s official awards.
holiday of books and reading.

This year’s winners will be presented at a ceremony to be held in St.
Grosvenor House London, May 15, 2023 We’ve selected the best deals so you can add them to your cart right away.

Fiction Book of the Year

Love-match Monica Ali, stone blind Natalie Haynes, Fairy tale Stephen King Babylon R.F. Kuang, marriage portrait Maggie O’Farrell and Young Mungo Douglas Stewart were shortlisted for this category.

Our top pick from this category is R. F. Kuang’s historical fantasy epic Babylon. Babylon is set in the 1800s. This is a tale of student revolution and dark academia, and the true sacrifices that change under the weight of the British Empire may require.

Debut Fiction Book of the Year

Honey and spices Bolu Babalola, Chemistry lessons Bonnie Garmus, rabbit cage Tess Ganti, transgressions Louise Kennedy, Satsuma Complex Bob Mortimer and whalebone theater Joanna Quinn was shortlisted for this category.

Our top pick in this category is Bolu Babalola’s Honey & Spice, which is currently taking BookTok by storm. Set in a close-knit black community at a predominantly white university, this slow-burning romance is a story of hope and longing.

Crime Thriller Book of the Year

Murder before the evening song Reverend Richard Coles, Parisian apartment lucy foley, Twyford Code Janice Hallett, Wrong place, wrong time Gillian McAllister, The bullet that missed Richard Osman and bamburg by LJ Ross are books shortlisted for this category.

Our top pick in this category is Twyford Code by Janice Hallett. This is a wonderful story puzzle built from transcripts of voice recordings from an old iPhone. Steven, having been released from prison, becomes obsessed with the disappearance of his old English teacher.

Discover Book of the Year

The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho Paterson Joseph, While the lemon trees grow Zulfa Katukh, Carrie kills a man Carrie Marshall, I’m a fan Sheena Patel, Home is not a place Johnny Pitts and Roger Robinson and consequences Preti Taneji was shortlisted for this category.

Our top pick without a doubt has to be Carrie Marshall’s Carrie Kills a Man. The memoir details the path of coming out and transparency in the most daring and honest way imaginable. According to Carrie, it is “the story of how a tattooed transgender rock singer murdered a depressed suburban father”.

Page Turner of the Year

The summer that changed us Kathy Bramley, Sunday baby dilly Court, Verity Colleen Hoover, How to kill your family bella Mackie, Story Keeper Sally Page and Island of Lost Trees Elif Shafak was shortlisted for this category.

Our top pick here is Verity Colleen Hoover. Author of five of the ten best-selling novels of the past year, Colleen writes in an incredibly engaging and compelling way. It’s a dark storyline full of mysteries, twists and turns, and screenwriter Lowen has a tough choice to make. This novel even made it to our fall must-read list.

Non-Fiction & Illustrated Book of the Year

History of art without men Kathy Hessel, Menopause Davina McCall with Dr. Naomi Potter One Jamie Oliver, golden mole Katherine Rundell, Why didn’t anyone tell me about this before? Dr. Julie Smith and climate book Greta Thunberg – books shortlisted in this category.

Our top pick from this category has to be “Why didn’t anyone tell me about this before?” Clinical psychologist Dr. Julie Smith. We would all benefit from learning how to take charge of our emotional and mental health, and with these simple solutions to everyday problems, this is a must-read.

Non-Fiction Book of the Year

brother.you.love.me Manny Coe and Reuben Coe visible person Edward Enninful, Tired and Tested: A Wild Ride to Fatherhood Sophie McCartney Friends, lovers and the big terrible thing Matthew Perry, Madly Deep: The Diaries of Alan Rickman Alan Rickman and Super Infinity: John Donne Transformations Katherine Rundell was shortlisted for this category.

Our top pick in this category is Madly Deep by the late and beloved Alan Rickman. From Die Hard to Harry Potter, we get a friendly and familiar look at the multifaceted actor’s public and private life.

Audiobook Fiction Book of the Year

Geneva Richard Armitage, seven moons Maali Almeida Shehana Karunatilaki, The bullet that missed Richard Osman Discworld series Terry Pratchett, Tiger S. F. Said and Young Mungo Douglas Stewart were shortlisted for this category.

The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman, narrated by Fiona Shaw, is our top pick for this one. This audiobook even includes an exclusive interview by Richard Osman with journalist and broadcaster Steph McGovern.

Audiobook Nonfiction Book of the Year

educational hell written and read by Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe visible person written and read by Edward Enniful, Ten steps to Nanette written and read by Hannah Gadsby, Pocket full of happiness written and read by Richard E. Grant, Menopause written and read by Davina McCall and Dr. Naomi Potter and Friends, lovers and the big terrible thing written and read by Matthew Perry were shortlisted for this category.

Our top pick from this category is The Visible Man by Edward Enninful. This is his journey from childhood bedroom in Ghana overlooking the firing squads to becoming the first black editor-in-chief of British Vogue. Do I need to say more?

Children’s Fiction Book of the Year

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Diper Overlöde Jeff Kinney, Oneka and Sun Academy Tola Okogwu, Tiger S. F. Said, illustrated by Dave McKean, First to die at the end Adam Silvera, Skandar and the unicorn thief A. F. Stedman and Loki: A Bad God’s Guide to Being Good by Louis Stowell – books shortlisted in this category.

Children’s Nonfiction Book of the Year

Am I made of stardust?: Dr. Maggie answers important questions from young scientists Doctor Maggie, Better Day: A Guide to Positive Mental Health dr Alex George, girlhood unfiltered Ebinehita Iyere, You Can Do It: How to Find Your Voice and Make a Difference Marcus Rashford and Karl Anka Queen Elizabeth: (Volume 88) Small People, BIG DREAMS Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and You don’t know what war is: Diary of a girl from Ukraine by Eva Skalietzka – books shortlisted in this category.

Children’s Picture Book of the Year

What did the ladybug hear at Christmas? Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks villains Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler Supertato Presents Jack and the Beanstalk Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet Heartstopper Yearbook Alice Osman, Rabbit vs Monkey: Rise of the Manic Badger Jamie Smart and Grandpa’s camper Harry Woodgate were shortlisted for this category.

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