2026 Toronto Book Awards Prize Ceremony

The winner of the 2026 Toronto Book Awards will be announced at the annual event at the Appel Salon inside the Toronto Reference Library. Author and comedian, Ali Hassan will be joined by this year's finalists, and other notable Torontonians to celebrate the City and its literary accomplishments.

The City of Toronto and Toronto Public Library will announce the winner of the 2026 Toronto Book Awards shortlisted titles.

This year's titles reflect the creativity and diversity of Toronto's literary community, and these stories that are inspired by the City will leave a lasting impact on readers.

The titles selected for the 2026 shortlist are:

Cherry Beach by Don Gillmore

Fatal Confession by Carolyn Strange

Good Guys by Sharon Bala

Property by Kate Cayley

You Started It by Jackie Khalilieh

The rest of the titles selected for the 2026 longlist are:

Black Public Joy by Jay Pitter

Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts by Margaret Atwood

Housing for All by Frank Lewinburg

Juniper by Kerri Huffman

The Paper Birds by Jeanette Lynes

Precarious by Marcello Di Cintio

Tyson's Song by Peter Bailey

Where Histories Meet by Victoria Freeman

Books available for purchase. Book signing to follow.

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Established by Toronto City Council in 1974, the Toronto Book Awards honour books of literary merit that are evocative of Toronto.

This year's Toronto Book Awards Committee is comprised of volunteer members Jake Byrne, Kristen den Hartog, Julia Kim, Matthew R. Morris, and Banoo Zan.

This year, the City is doubling the prize amounts: the winning author will receive $20,000, and each shortlisted finalist will receive $2,000.

Learn more about the Toronto Book Awards and the finalists:

City of Toronto

Toronto Public Library

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PLAN YOUR VISIT

Location: Bram and Bluma Appel Salon, Toronto Reference Library (789 Yonge Street), 2nd floor

Time: Doors open 6 pm, Event starts 7 pm.

Tickets: Free registration required.

Beer/wine available for purchase (debit/credit only)

Ticket policy: We oversell these events to make sure that most people have an opportunity to attend. Tickets are guaranteed until 6:45pm or until capacity is reached. Any remaining space will be opened up to the rush line beginning at 6:45pm.

TPL is committed to accessibility. If you are Deaf or have a disability and would like to request accommodation for this event, please contact [email protected] or 416-393-7099 at least three weeks prior to the event.