Vote in this year's Books Are My Bag Readers Awards
The only book awards curated by booksellers and chosen by readers like you!
You're invited to cast your vote in this year's Books Are My Bag Readers Awards for the chance to win one of ten £100/€120 National Book Tokens gift cards. Plus: share your unique referral link with fellow booklovers after you vote, and we'll give you a bonus entry into our prize draw for every vote received using your link.
The six shortlists include books by beloved, bestselling authors and poets, from David Nicholls to Hollie McNish. There are topical and thought-inspiring non-fiction titles from debut authors and political figures, books for children and young adults by new and established voices, and breakthrough authors whose books have made a real splash with readers over the last year. Plus don't miss your chance to nominate the book that has most inspired and entertained you in the past 12 months, whether it's a recent release or an old classic, in the Readers' Choice category.
Vote below now for your books of the year!
Discover the shortlists
From beloved bestselling novelists and poets to debut non-fiction authors; from thrilling YA fiction to children's books full of wonder and adventure; find out more about all the books on this year's shortlists, as curated by booksellers across the UK and Ireland. Plus: enter our competition to win all the shortlisted books!
Every year, thousands of booklovers discover brilliant new books in their local bookshop. This is your chance to nominate your book of the year; the book which most captivated, entertained or inspired you over the last 12 months, whether it was a newly-published novel or non-fiction title, or a classic you finally picked up and enjoyed.
Clear by Carys Davies
1843. On a remote Scottish island, Ivar, the sole occupant, leads a life of quiet isolation until the day he finds a man unconscious on the beach below the cliffs.
Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar
Ever since his mother’s plane was senselessly shot down over the Persian Gulf when he was just a baby, Cyrus has been grappling with her death. Now, newly sober, he is set to learn the truth of her life.
Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon
It's 412 BC, and Athens' invasion of Sicily has failed catastrophically. Thousands of Athenian soldiers are held captive in the quarries of Syracuse, and so out of sheer desperation they decide to stage two of Euripides’ greatest tragedies.
You Are Here by David Nicholls
When a persistent mutual friend and some very English weather conspire to bring them together, Marnie and Michael suddenly find themselves alone on the most epic of walks and on the precipice of a new friendship.
Abroad in Japan by Chris Broad
When Chris Broad landed in northern Japan he wondered if he'd made a mistake. With no knowledge of the language or teaching experience, was he about to be the most quickly fired English teacher in Japan's history?
A Flat Place by Noreen Masud
A love letter to Britain's breathtaking flatlands, from Orford Ness to Orkney, and a reckoning with the painful, hidden histories they contain.
brother. do. you. love. me. by Manni Coe & Reuben Coe
Reuben was struggling to accept that he had Down's syndrome. When Manni received a desperate message from his youngest brother, he knew everything had to change. Together they began an extraordinary journey of repair, rediscovering the depths of their brotherhood.
Politics on the Edge by Rory Stewart
Over the course of a decade from 2010, Rory Stewart went from being a political outsider to standing for prime minister - before being sacked from a Conservative Party that he had come to barely recognise.
Poyums by Len Pennie
Whether she's writing letters to her younger self, advocating for women's rights or adapting fairy tales to process an abusive relationship, Len's voice is bold, unashamedly frank and unmistakably hers.
Lobster: and other things I’m learning to love by Hollie McNish
Why do we live in a world that is constantly telling us to hate, both ourselves and others? McNish brings her inimitable style to the question of what have been taught to hate, and if we might learn to love again.
He, She, They, Us by Charlie Castelletti
This anthology celebrates queerness in all its forms and takes us through the experiences that make us who we are today. It contains an inclusive array of voices, from modern and contemporary poets to those who came before.
Adam by Gboyega Odubanjo
Haunted by the discovery of the remains of a young Black boy in the Thames in 2001, Adam builds from the Genesis myth and from Yoruba culture to examine the disappearance of a child and its implication for all Black lives.
Northern Soul by Phil Earle
The hilariously agonising account of one teenage boy's disastrous attempts to win the heart of the cool new girl at school.
Some Like It Cold by Elle McNicoll
Determined to return to her small town home one last time before leaving for good, Jasper doesn’t bank on accidentally ruining her sister's engagement - or bumping into her teen adversary, budding filmmaker Arthur Lancaster.
The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson
18-year-old Bel has lived her whole life in the shadow of her mom’s mysterious disappearance. Sixteen years ago, Rachel Price vanished and Bel was the only witness. But then she reappears, and life will never be normal again...
A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal
Arthie Casimir is a criminal mastermind. Her prestigious tearoom transforms into an illegal bloodhouse by dark, catering to the vampires feared by society. When her establishment is threatened, Arthie is forced to strike an unlikely deal with an alluring adversary.
I Am Rebel by Ross Montgomery
Rebel is a good dog, and he loves his life on the farm with his owner Tom – until the war comes too close… Tom is determined to join the rebellion to defeat the king’s men. Rebel must bring Tom home before it’s too late.
The Clockwork Conspiracy by Sam Sedgman
Aspiring inventor Isaac Turner lives with his dad, the Chief Horologist in charge of Big Ben. When his father vanishes from the belfry on the night the clocks go back Isaac determines to find him.
Bea’s Bad Day by Tom Percival
Bea is REALLY looking forward to her birthday … until things begin to go wrong. A book about managing disappointment, from the bestselling author of the Big Bright Feelings series.
Dim Sum Palace by X. Fang
Liddy is too excited to sleep! Tomorrow she's going to the Dim Sum Palace with her family, so when a tempting smell wafts into her bedroom, she has no choice but to follow it... to a real palace!
Kaliane Bradley, author of The Ministry of Time
Debut author of The Ministry of Time, a love story, time-travelling tale and state-of-the-nation commentary.
Julia Armfield, author of Private Rites
Author of Salt Slow, Our Wives Under the Sea and Private Rites.
Asako Yuzuki, author of Butter
Author of Butter, the cult Japanese bestseller inspired by the real case of the convicted con woman and serial killer, "The Konkatsu Killer".
Jamie Smart, author of Bunny vs Monkey
Jamie Smart is a comic artist and author best known for his comic series Bunny vs Monkey.
Prizes:
10 people will be selected at random to receive a £100/€120 National Book Tokens gift card
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By entering into this public vote and prize draw, you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.
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Opening date: The public vote and prize draw will open on Thursday 10th October 2024.
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Closing date: The public vote and prize draw will close at 11:59pm on Sunday 3rd November 2024.
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To be entered into the prize draw, entrants must vote on a book title or author in at least one category. Only one entry per person will be accepted. Entrants may not win more than one prize.
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Entrants must be aged 16 or over and residents of the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, and Republic of Ireland.
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Entrants are allowed one vote per category; the book and/or author with the most valid votes will determine the winner of each category.
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Entrants may receive up to 25 additional entries to the prize draw by referring other entrants using the unique link provided after a vote has been submitted. Multiple entries made by an individual user will be disqualified, including any bonus entries received as a result of multiple entries.
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This prize draw is not open to employees of The Booksellers Association, Book Tokens Ltd., their immediate families, members of The Booksellers Association, or anyone else connected with this promotion.
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Prizes are non-transferable, subject to availability, and there are no cash alternatives. The Promoter reserves the right to amend the specification of the prize or offer an alternative prize of equivalent or greater value in the event of unforeseen circumstances. In exceptional circumstances, the Promoter reserves the right to foreclose the prize draw without notice.
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If National Book Tokens gift cards or e-gift cards are included in the prize, they can be spent in participating bookshops. If ‘signed’ copies are included in the prize, the books will either be signed directly by the author/illustrator(s) or signed bookplates will be provided (either separately or stuck in the book).
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Entrants must complete the above form to enter. At the Promoter’s discretion, entries submitted via any other method may be considered invalid.
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The Promoter may disqualify any entrant whose entry does not comply with these terms and conditions (in Promoter’s sole opinion) or who (in Promoter’s sole determination) has acted in a manner that is fraudulent, dishonest or unjust to other entrants including, without limitation, tampering with the operation of the prize draw, manipulating or rigging votes, hacking, deceiving, cheating or by harassing or threatening other entrants or a representative of Promoter.
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Entrants agree to the use of their personal data by the Promoter for the purposes of administering the competition. The Promoter may publish the full name and county of winners after the prize draw has closed, and will make the last name and county available on request. Please make this request to booktokens@booktokens.co.uk and state the name of the competition in the subject line. The request must be received within 10 weeks of the closing date. If Entrants do not want these details to be published or made available, please notify the email address above. Please note that we are required to make these details available on request to the ASA. Information on how we process personal data can be found in our Privacy Policy.
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The Promoter will select winners at random from all qualifying entries within 14 days of the closing date, and will notify winners by email within 30 days of the closing date. In the event of a winner not responding within 14 days of being contacted, or if a winner declines to accept the prize, the Promoter reserves the right to allocate the prize to another winner, or foreclose the prize. Unsuccessful entrants will not be contacted. The Promoter accepts no responsibility for entrants not receiving the Promoter’s communications due to their spam filter, accidental deletion, invalid email address provided, or for any other reason.
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The Promoter will make all reasonable effort to ensure the delivery of prizes to winners, but accepts no responsibility or liability for prizes that are not received once they have been despatched due to circumstances beyond the Promoter's control.
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The Promoter’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
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By entering the prize draw, entrants agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.
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Promoter: Book Tokens Ltd, 6 Bell Yard, London, WC2A 2JR.
