The Nota Bene Prize celebrates fiction that leaves a lasting impression: the books readers eagerly share with friends, carry on their commutes, or ponder long after finishing. The prize seeks fiction that feels alive—original, compelling, beautifully written, and impossible to ignore.

This prize is guided by readers rather than critics. Readers’ tastes, instincts, and recommendations shape the outcome, and public participation is essential.

To choose the finalists, submitted books were assessed by the prize team alongside a pool of Notable Readers—influential figures from across the reading and book community, including content creators, booksellers, authors, critics, and other literary advocates.

The Nota Bene Prize 2026 Finalists

From the 2026 finalists, readers will help select the winner through a public vote. The list includes:

A Room Above a Shop by Anthony Shapland 

A tender, quietly luminous portrait of first love and longing, capturing the intensity and fragility of youth with poetic precision.

A Splintering by Dur e Aziz Amna 

A sharp, psychologically astute novel that explores displacement, identity and ambition with an unsettling, slow-burning tension.

Confessions by Catherine Airey 

A darkly compelling exploration of guilt, power and complicity, unpicking the stories we tell ourselves to survive.

Consider Yourself Kissed by Jessica Stanley

Witty, warm and perceptive, this is a fresh and relatable take on modern relationships, ambition and the messiness of adult life.

Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley

A stylish, music-infused coming-of-age novel that pulses with nostalgia, heartbreak and the search for creative identity.

Disappoint Me by Nicola Dinan

Bold, funny and sharply observed, this novel navigates love, identity and expectation with honesty and emotional depth.

Every One Still Here by Liadan Ní Chuinn 

A haunting and lyrical meditation on grief, memory and belonging, rooted in place and the pull of the past.

Gunk by Saba Sams

Dark, daring and brilliantly unsettling, this is a visceral exploration of desire, power and the complexities of human connection.

The Grapevine by Kate Kemp 

A sharply observed, slow-burn mystery that unravels secrets and suspicion within a tightly woven community.

The Lamb by Lucy Rose 

Eerie, atmospheric and deeply disquieting, this is a gothic-tinged tale of control, devotion and quiet menace.

The Original by Nell Stevens 

Inventive and elegant, this novel plays with authorship, identity and artifice in a clever and quietly subversive way.

We Love You, Bunny by Mona Awad

Surreal, biting and darkly funny, Awad delivers a twisted satire on belonging, obsession and the cult of creativity.

When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén, translated by Alice Menzies 

A beautifully understated and moving novel that reflects on ageing, memory and companionship with tenderness and grace.

Vote for your favourite

The public vote is open at www.notabeneprize.com. Readers can choose their top three favourites, and every voter is entered into a draw to win all 13 books on the list. Reader participation directly influences the winner, reflecting the prize’s commitment to being built by readers, for readers.

Key Dates

Finalist Announcement / Vote Opens: 8th April 2026

Vote Closes: 5th May 2026

Winner Announcement: 7th May 2026

Readers can vote at www.notabeneprize.com and follow the campaign on @notabeneprize for updates, features, and the final winner reveal.

Celebrating Past Winners

The Nota Bene Prize has previously recognised outstanding fiction that has become beloved by readers. Past winners include Kala by Colin Walsh, Things in Jars by Jess Kidd, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman, Tin Man by Sarah Winman, The Bees by Laline Paull, and The Humans by Matt Haig. These titles, celebrated for their storytelling and ability to spark conversation, continue to inspire readers and reflect the prize’s commitment to highlighting powerful, unforgettable fiction.

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