Article: The Booxies Guide to 2026 Book Award Season: Winners, Shortlists, and Must-Reads

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The Booxies Guide to 2026 Book Award Season: Winners, Shortlists, and Must-Reads

The 2026 Awards Season is officially in full swing, and if your TBR (to-be-read) pile isn't already hitting the ceiling, it’s about to. From the prestigious global stage of the Women’s Prize for Fiction to our homegrown heroes at the ABIAs and the Stella Prize, the literary world is buzzing with stories that challenge, delight, and transform.

At Booxies, we believe there is no better gift than a story that has been vetted by the world's toughest critics. Whether you’re a #Bookstagram regular or looking for the perfect curated gift box for a fellow book lover, we’ve done the scouting for you. We’ve rounded up the 2026 winners and shortlisted titles currently in stock at Booxies—ready to be paired with your favourite gin, tea, or treats.

The 2026 Indie Book Awards (Winners & Shortlist)

Winners were announced in March 2026.

The Australian Independent Bookseller Awards (The Indies) are the heart and soul of our local literary community, celebrating the books that independent bookshops loved most this year. From gripping thrillers to transformative non-fiction, these titles have been hand-picked by the most passionate readers in the country.

Our Winners and Shortlisted Stars:

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy – Winner: Fiction
When Sleeping Women Wake – Winner: Debut Fiction
Always Home, Always Homesick – Winner: Non-Fiction
Mad Mabel – Shortlisted
Tenderfoot – Shortlisted

The 2026 Stella Prize

Shortlist out now; Winner announced May 13, 2026.

The Stella Prize is one of Australia’s most prestigious literary awards, celebrating Australian women and non-binary writers. Known for its rigorous judging and commitment to diverse voices, the 2026 shortlist represents some of the most innovative and powerful writing in the country right now.

Our Shortlisted Pick:

I am Nannertgarrook by Tasma Walton

The 2026 ABIA Awards

Shortlist out now; Winners announced May 21, 2026.

The Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIAs) celebrate the biggest and best in Australian publishing. From commercial powerhouses to literary achievements, these are the books that have defined the Australian reading landscape over the past twelve months.

Our Shortlisted Heavy-Hitters:

Last One Out by Jane Harper (Shortlisted: General Fiction)
Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth (Shortlisted: General Fiction)
One Hundred Years of Betty (Shortlisted: General Fiction)
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy (Shortlisted: Literary Fiction)
Chosen Family by Madeline Gray (Shortlisted: Literary Fiction)
Different Kind of Power by Jacinda Ardern (Shortlisted: International Book)
Always Home, Always Homesick (Shortlisted: Biography)
Broken Brains by Jamila Rizvi and Rosie Waterland (Shortlisted: General Non-Fiction)

The 2026 Women’s Prize (Fiction & Non-Fiction)

Shortlist out now; Winners announced June 11, 2026.

The Women’s Prize for Fiction and the newly established Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction celebrate excellence, originality, and accessibility in women’s writing from across the globe. These prizes are the ultimate guide to the most captivating stories being told today.

Our Shortlisted International Gems:

Heart the Lover (Fiction Shortlist)
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans (Fiction Shortlist)
Flashlight by Susan Choi (Fiction Shortlist)
Mother Mary Come to Me (Non-Fiction Shortlist)