Now in its 94th year, the California Book Awards have celebrated the state's vibrant literary culture since 1931, recognizing the most distinguished writing by California authors and publishers. Presented by Commonwealth Club World Affairs, the awards honor books that reflect the diversity, intellect and creativity of the Golden State—across fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and more. 

This year’s medalists include Percival Everett, Sasha Vasilyuk, Nicola Twilley, Rachel Kushner, Randy Ribay, Maysa Odeh & Aliaa Betawi, Sarah Ghazal Ali, and Cindy Juyoung Ok. From bold literary reimaginings to global environmental investigations to tender multigenerational stories and emotionally resonant poetry, the 94th annual awards reflect the strength and variety of California’s literary landscape.

Celebrate the state’s most powerful storytellers and discover your next unforgettable read.

94th Annual California Book Awards Medalists

FICTION 
Gold Medal: James by Percival Everett (Doubleday) 
Silver Medal: Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner (The Song Cave)

FIRST FICTION 
Gold Medal: Your Presence Is Mandatory by Sasha Vasilyuk (Bloomsbury)

NONFICTION 
Gold Medal: Frostbite: How Refrigeration Changed Our Planet and Ourselves by Nicola Twilley (Penguin Press) 
Silver Medal: Twelve Trees: The Deep Roots of Our Future by Daniel Lewis (Random House)

YOUNG ADULT 
Gold Medal: Everything We Never Had by Randy Ribay (HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray)

JUVENILE 
Gold Medal: A Map for Falasteen by Maysa Odeh, illustrated by Aliaa Betawi (Scholastic)

POETRY 
Gold Medal: Theophanies by Sarah Ghazal Ali (Alice James Books) 
Silver Medal: Ward Toward by Cindy Juyoung Ok (Yale University Press)

CALIFORNIANA 
Medal: A Machine to Move Heaven and Earth by James Tejani (University of Chicago Press)

CONTRIBUTION TO PUBLISHING 
Terminal Island by the Los Angeles Public Library and Angel City Press