Meet the 2026 Libby Book Award nominees & vote for Readers’ Choice

Just as the Oscars honor the best in film, the Libby Book Awards celebrate the best in books, selected by everyone’s favorite book experts—librarians. And it’s almost time to roll out the red carpet!

Librarians are finalizing their selections, with finalists revealed in February and winners announced in March. (Missed last year’s winners? Check them out!)

The 2026 Libby Book Award nominees - Who made the cut?

Libby’s staff librarians narrowed thousands of books down to the top five titles in each category. From there, librarians and library workers across North America vote to determine the winners.

Award categories include:

• Book of the Year - Adult Fiction
• Book of the Year - Adult Nonfiction
• Book of the Year - YA Fiction
• Audiobook of the Year
• Debut Author
• Book Club Pick
• Personal Improvement
• Comics & Graphic Novels
• Cookbook
• Historical Fiction
• Horror
• Fantasy
• Memoir
• Middle Grade
• Mystery
• Picture Book
• Romance
• Romantasy
• Science Fiction
• Thriller

Wondering which books made the list? Check out the complete list of nominees or view the collection below.

NEW for 2026! Readers’ Choice Awards - Cast your vote!

For the first time ever, you get a vote! The new Readers’ Choice Award lets Libby users pick their favorite from the most borrowed books in the Libby app in 2025. Romantasy addict? Thrilled by thrillers? Let your voice be heard!

⭐ Readers’ Choice nominees:

• Brimstone by Callie Hart
• The Perfect Divorce by Jeneva Rose
• Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
• The Crash by Freida McFadden
• Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

✅ Submit your vote now!

You can vote once per day per user until Jan. 30.

Cast your vote, and be sure to subscribe to Libby Life so you won’t miss the announcement of the winner of the Readers’ Choice Award, and the full list of 2026 winners. 

Visit Libby Book Awards to learn more.