Ohioana Library Association

The Ohioana Library is pleased to announce the finalists for the 85th 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, Book About Ohio or an Ohioan, may include books by non-Ohio authors.

Nearly every major writer from Ohio in the past 80 years has been honored, including James Thurber, Robert McCloskey, Toni Morrison, Mary Oliver, Rita Dove, Hanif Abdurraqib, Anthony Doerr, Celeste Ng, Edmund White, Virginia Hamilton, and many more.

Seven of the Ohio Book Award winners, as well as the Marvin Grant recipient, are selected by juries. The Readers’ Choice Award is determined by voters in a public online poll. Over 3,500 votes were cast for 2025's Readers’ Choice Award.

This year's finalists include literary superstars as well as debut authors. Our finalists come from all over the state and include native Ohioans and lifelong residents, as well as writers who no longer live here, but whose time in Ohio continues to be a deep influence on their writing and careers.

See the full list and learn more here: https://www.ohioana.org/programs/ohio-book-awards/

We can't wait for Gramercy Book Club’s June pick! The Bluest Eye, the first novel written by American author Toni Morrison was published in 1970. This book club program is the second of three of Morrison’s novels that Gramercy Books will be exploring in 2026 in partnership with Ohioana Library as part of a statewide initiative celebrating Morrison’s indelible impact. Poet, essayist, and cultural critic Hanif Abdurraqib will facilitate the group discussion.

This event is sold out, but has many other exciting events this summer, including their August Book Club with Hasan Jeffries! See their website for details.

Join us for the next event in our “100 Years of Ohio Authors” series sponsored by !

On June 24 at 1:00 p.m. via Zoom, we’ll explore 2015’s historic novel God Help the Child and the legacy of Toni Morrison. Contemporary author and professor Thrity Umrigar will discuss this classic work, her new book Missing Sam, and writing realistic fiction with LC Johnson, Founder and CEO of Zora’s House. You won’t want to miss this finale event in our “100 Years of Ohio Authors” series!

The event is free (with a suggested $10 donation to support our work). You can register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1988120680474/preview/?aff=oddtdtcreator

We’re one week away from the next event in our “100 Years of Ohio Authors” series sponsored by !

Celebrate the year 1995—and National Poetry Month—with a program featuring historic Ohio poet Mary Oliver and her book Blue Pastures. Contemporary poet and author Aimee Nezhukumatathil will discuss this classic work, her new book Night Owl, and the art of writing poetry with Holly Brians Ragusa, President of Ohio Poetry Association.

We hope you’ll join us for this FREE virtual event on April 27 at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom! You can register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/100-years-of-ohio-authors-1995-mary-oliver-and-aimee-nezhukumatathil-tickets-1986848202458?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true