Sara Cox Announces Inaugural Radio 2 Book Club Award 2026 Shortlist
Broadcaster Sara Cox has officially revealed the shortlist for the first-ever Radio 2 Book Club Award, a new literary prize launched in collaboration with The British Book Awards. This announcement marks a significant milestone as the station's long-running book club partners with the prestigious awards ceremony, often known as 'The Nibbies', for the very first time.
Diverse Selection of Eight Finalists
The eight-book shortlist represents the finest titles featured on the Radio 2 Book Club throughout 2025. Curated with assistance from librarians across the United Kingdom, the list showcases a broad spectrum of genres, including gripping historical mysteries, high-concept thrillers, and poignant contemporary fiction.
The complete shortlist includes:
- The White Octopus Hotel by Alexandra Bell
- Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- Katabasis by RF Kuang
- A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage by Asia Mackay
- The Murder at World's End by Ross Montgomery
- Nesting by Roisin O'Donnell
- The Art of a Lie by Laura Shepherd-Robinson
- Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis
Enthusiasm for the New Literary Initiative
In an interview with The Bookseller, Cox expressed her excitement about the launch of this new award. She stated, "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 – so to have our own award as part of the night feels very special. We feature so many brilliant books on the podcast, so I hope this recognition will help them find new readers."
Judging Panel and Ceremony Details
The final decision will be made by a specially convened judging panel, which comprises four librarians representing each nation of the UK, Radio 2 producers, a representative from the Reading Agency, and Cox herself in her role as host of the Radio 2 Book Club podcast.
The winner is scheduled to be crowned on 11th May at a star-studded ceremony held at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London. In addition to receiving the prestigious British Book Award trophy, the winning author will be invited to appear as a special guest on the Radio 2 Book Club Podcast for an in-depth discussion of their work.
Bridging Library Curation and Publishing Prestige
By connecting library-led curation with one of the most significant events in the publishing calendar, this award aims to further elevate the profile of authors who have captivated the Radio 2 audience over the past year. This initiative underscores the growing importance of collaborative efforts in promoting literature and supporting writers across the UK.
