The City of Toronto and Toronto Public Library has announced the six books shortlisted for the 2025 Toronto Book Awards.
Celebrating stories that reflect Toronto’s diversity, creativity and complexity, the Toronto Book Awards honour works of fiction, poetry and non-fiction that evoke the city in unforgettable ways.
This year, the City is doubling the prize amounts: the winning author will receive $20,000, and each shortlisted finalist will receive $2,000. The winner will be announced at a public ceremony on Wednesday, October 15 at the Toronto Reference Library.
2025 Shortlist
A reading list of the shortlisted titles is available on Toronto Public Library’s webpage.
Upcoming events
Residents are invited to attend author readings and events leading up to the awards ceremony:
Toronto Arts & Letters Club
Date: Monday, September 15
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: 14 Elm St.
Word on the Street
Date: Saturday, September 27
Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: David Pecaut Square, 215 King St. W.
Toronto Book Awards Ceremony
Date: Wednesday, October 15
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge St.
More information about the award program is available on the City’s Toronto Book Awards webpage.
Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City's website or follow us on X, Instagram or Facebook.