The Canada Council for the Arts is pleased to announce the 2025 Governor General’s Literary Awards (GGBooks) finalists. These awards celebrate works published in Canada, in both official languages, across seven categories, and include books for readers of all ages.

“The books selected as 2025 Governor General’s Literary Awards finalists motivate readers of all ages to dream, discover and immerse themselves in captivating stories. Each of these literary works offers distinct perspectives on Canada and the world with the power to deepen connections between people, build communities and imagine a better future for all. The Canada Council for the Arts is honoured to celebrate the unique Canadian voices represented in these incredible literary works,” said Michelle Chawla, Director and CEO, Canada Council for the Arts.

Founded in 1936, the Governor General’s Literary Awards are some of the oldest and most prestigious literary prizes in Canada, with a total annual prize value of $450,000. The Canada Council for the Arts has funded, administered and promoted these awards since 1959.

Finalists are selected by category-specific, language-based peer assessment committees (seven in English and seven in French). This year, the committees considered eligible books published between August 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. The writers, translators and illustrators whose books are selected as the winner in each category receive a $25,000 prize. Publishers receive $3,000 to promote the winning book; finalists receive $1,000 each.

Following a rigorous process, the peer assessment committees convened by the Canada Council have selected 70 books published in Canada over the last year as the 2025 finalists.

The finalists in the 2025 English-language fiction category are:

• Endling – Maria Reva (New Westminster, British Columbia), Knopf (Penguin Random House Canada)
• Hi, It’s Me – Fawn Parker (Fredericton, New Brunswick, and Toronto, Ontario), McLelland & Stewart (Penguin Random House Canada)
• Juiceboxers – Benjamin Hertwig (Edmonton, Alberta), Freehand Books
• real ones – katherena vermette (Treaty 1 territory, Winnipeg, Manitoba), Penguin Random House Canada
• Small Ceremonies – Kyle Edwards (Lake Manitoba First Nation, Manitoba), McLelland & Stewart (Penguin Random House Canada)

The finalists in the 2025 French-language fiction category are:

• Femmes silencieuses – Cristina Vanciu (Brossard, Quebec), Héliotrope
• Je mets mes rêves sur la table – Martina Chumova (Montréal, Quebec), Le Cheval d’août
• Les déterrées – Katia Belkhodja (Brossard, Quebec), Mémoire d’encrier
• Rapines – Patrice Lessard (Montréal, Quebec), Éditions XYZ
• Une histoire silencieuse – Alexandra Boilard-Lefebvre (Montréal, Quebec), La Peuplade

There are six additional categories in both English and French:

• Poetry
• Drama
• Non-fiction
• Young People’s Literature – Text
• Young People’s Literature – Illustrated Books
• Translation (From English to French and from French to English)

Click here to see the full list of finalists.

The 14 winning books will be announced on November 6, 2025. For more information, visit: ggbooks.ca.