The Ohioana Library is pleased to announce the finalists for the 84th annual Ohio Book Awards! First given in 1942, the awards are the second-oldest state literary prizes in the nation and honor outstanding works by Ohio authors and illustrators in six categories: Fiction, Poetry, Juvenile Literature, Middle Grade Literature, Young Adult Literature, and Nonfiction. The seventh category, About Ohio or an Ohioan, may also include books by non-Ohio authors. This year’s list of finalists includes a finalist for the National Book Award, three Andrew Carnegie Medal finalists and one winner, a Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist, and winners of the PEN/ESPN Award for Literary Sportswriting, the Emma Powell Poetry Prize, The Martin Luther King, Jr I Have a Dream Prize, the National Book Critics Circle, The Hugo Award, the Bram Stoker Award, and the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Children’s Literary Work. Two finalists have had their works adapted for films or plays, one has been nominated as Oprah’s Best Book of the Year and one has a book included in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Seven authors are past Ohio Book Award winners. See the full list of Ohio Book Award Finalists on the blog here: ohioana.org/announcing-the-2025-ohio-book-award-finalists/ (link in bio) Congratulations to our finalists! Between June 2 and July 11, the public will have the opportunity to vote online for their favorite book from among all the finalists to determine the winner of the 2025 Readers’ Choice Ohio Book Award. Only 1 vote per IP address will be counted. Cast your vote here: https://survey.typeform.com/to/dQmyBAp7 Winners will be announced in July. The 2025 Ohio Book Awards ceremony and celebration will be held at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus on Wednesday, October 15–mark your calendars now! Tickets will be available online beginning in late July. #OhioBookAwards #awardfinalist (fb)

Spring into reading with Ohioana’s May Staff Picks! From timeless Ohio voices to fresh new favorites, these selections are perfect for enjoying the season. Stop by the Ohioana Library during open hours on Thursdays or make an appointment at ohioana@ohioana.org 📖✨ #staffpicks (fb)