The BBC Radio 2 Book Club has unveiled its first award shortlist, with the winner to be named at the British Book Awards in May.
Sara Cox revealed the eight shortlisted titles on her weekday Radio 2 Teatime programme, marking the launch of a new prize created in partnership with British Book Awards.
The shortlist has been selected by librarians from across the UK, drawing on titles featured on the Radio 2 Book Club during 2025. A final winner will be chosen by a panel including librarians representing each UK nation, Radio 2 producers and a representative from The Reading Agency.
The award will be presented on 11 May at Grosvenor House in London, with the winning author also set to appear on the Radio 2 Book Club podcast.
Shortlisted titles include works by Alexandra Bell, Taylor Jenkins Reid, R.F. Kuang, Asia Mackay, Ross Montgomery, Roisin O’Donnell, Laura Shepherd-Robinson and Nussaibah Younis.
Sara said: “I’m chuffed to bits to be launching the Radio 2 Book Club Award! As an author myself – I know how important British Book Awards are to the whole industry.”
The new category adds a Radio 2 presence to the awards ceremony, linking the station’s book content with the wider publishing sector.