Check out the Penguin Random House books that have been shortlisted for the ABIAs in 2024. The winners will be announced on 9 May 2024.
The 2024 shortlist for the Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIAs) has just been announced, and we’re thrilled to share that Penguin Random House Australia has nine books in the running this year.
Keep reading to learn about each book and which awards they have been nominated for.
2024 ABIAs shortlisted books
Biography Book of the Year
Wifedom by Anna Funder
‘Simply, a masterpiece. Here, Anna Funder not only re-makes the art of biography, she resurrects a woman in full. And this in a narrative that grips the reader and unfolds through some of the most consequential moments - historical and cultural - of the twentieth century.’ – Geraldine Brooks
Book of the Year for Older Children (Ages 13+)
Eleanor Jones is Not a Murderer by Amy Doak
‘Eleanor Jones is Not a Murderer is a tense page-turner that invites readers to sort clues and question everything around them. It’s also a book for young readers who, though clever and determined, are nonetheless facing the everyday misgivings of adolescent life. Doak has written an ode to the strength of women, believing in yourself and finally finding your people. This is a book for young feminist readers who love a mystery solved by a strong heroine.’ – Danielle Bagnato, Books + Publishing
Children’s Picture Book of the Year (Ages 0-6)
A Life Song by Jane Godwin and Anna Walker
‘A sensitive and thoughtful picture book, A Life Song gives the reader time for reflection and to engage with the charming metaphor of a unique song.’ – Susanne Gervay, Reading Time
General Fiction Book of the Year
Everyone On This Train Is A Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson
‘I absolutely loved it. Utterly original, hugely entertaining, and a must-read for every fan of the mystery genre. What an exceptionally fresh, smart, funny book - I've never read anything like this before.’ – Jane Harper
General Non-Fiction Book of the Year
It’s the Menopause by Kaz Cooke
‘Some of the more fun Committee reading . . . thanks to the witty observations of Kaz Cooke.’ – Senator Marielle Smith
Question 7 by Richard Flanagan
‘Richard Flanagan’s Question 7 is a profoundly moving love song for the writer’s parents, a forensic excavation, a lament, a confession, a jig-saw puzzle in which Hiroshima connects to HG Wells, and the Martians colonise Tasmania. We are all competitive, of course, so this is not an easy thing to say: but Question 7 may just be the most significant work of Australian art in the last 100 years.’ – Peter Carey
Illustrated Book of the Year
The Year I Met My Brain by Matilda Boseley
‘Forget all the myths you’ve heard about ADHD. This illuminating book is easy to read, backed by facts and packed with fun. It’s essential reading for anyone with ADHD and those who love them. A triumph!’ – Gabrielle Jackson
International book of the year
Spare by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex
‘Above all, Spare is worth reading for its potential historical import, which is likely to resonate, if not to the crack of doom, then well into the reign of King Charles III, and even into that of his successor.’ – Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker
Social Impact Book of the Year
Wifedom by Anna Funder
‘Wifedom is a damning catalogue of the ways women are diminished, ignored, trivialised and banished to the footnotes . . . a masterclass in erasure.’ – The Age
The Year I Met My Brain by Matilda Boseley
‘Rarely does a book emerge that instantly promises to profoundly impact the lives of its readers – but Matilda Boseley’s debut work is one such remarkable creation. With unparalleled insight, Boseley has crafted an invaluable and comprehensive guide, not only unravelling the complexities of ADHD but also illuminating the path to navigating a world that often misunderstands neurodivergence. Written with a truly enjoyable blend of humour, warmth and emotional resonance, this vulnerable account seamlessly integrates exceptional research on neurodivergence, offering a profound understanding of ADHD and demonstrating why such an understanding is so important today.’ – Esmé Lousie James
The Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year
Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder by Kerryn Mayne
'With Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder, Kerryn Mayne makes a very grand entrance into the Australian literary scene. With humour, heart and characters you come to love, this is a book you will devour now, and keep thinking about later!' – Sally Hepworth
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