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The Barnes & Noble Discover Prize

Shining a spotlight on new authors that may be flying under your radar, our Discover Prize celebrates standout books that deserve to be discovered by readers. A few of our past winners include Maggie; or, A Man and a Woman Walk into a Bar, Swift River, The Berry Pickers and The Rabbit Hutch.

Barnes & Noble Discover Debut Author Prize Winner Vincent Yu
Barnes & Noble Discover Debut Author Prize Winner Vincent Yu

What Choices Would You Make if You Thought Your Life Was on the Line?

Seek Immediate Shelter (Barnes & Noble Discover Prize Winner)

Seek Immediate Shelter (Barnes & Noble Discover Prize Winner)

By Vincent Yu

After a false alarm causes a town to spiral into chaos and confusion, the community confronts the harsh truths of their panicked decisions in this clever, thought-provoking story of survival, loyalty and betrayal that was inspired by real events.

$25.99
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The 2026 Discover Prize Finalists

Yesteryear (GMA Book Club Pick)
Yesteryear (GMA Book Club Pick)
Caro Claire Burke
Hardcover
$25.00
$30.00
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Lost Lambs: A Novel
Lost Lambs: A Novel
Madeline Cash
Hardcover
$28.00
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Seek Immediate Shelter (Barnes & Noble Discover Prize Winner)
Seek Immediate Shelter (Barnes & Noble Discover Prize Winner)
Vincent Yu
Hardcover
$25.99
$28.99
Waiting on a Friend: A Novel
Waiting on a Friend: A Novel
Natalie Adler
Hardcover
$25.00
$28.00
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The Golden Boy
The Golden Boy
Patricia Finn
Hardcover
$26.00
$29.00
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Upward Bound (Read with Jenna Pick)
Upward Bound (Read with Jenna Pick)
Woody Brown
Hardcover
$25.00
$28.00
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Presenting Our 2026 Discover Prize Finalists

Presenting Our 2026 Discover Prize Finalists

By Nina Braca|June 5, 2026
Our Discover Prize aims to celebrate debut authors who put out exceptional, thought-provoking stories that stick with readers. After months of debate and deliberation, our booksellers from across the country are ecstatic to present this year's finalists.
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What If?: A Guest Post by Woody Brown

What If?: A Guest Post by Woody Brown

By Woody Brown|March 31, 2026
Discover Upward Bound, a center for disabled adults, complete with a cast of eclectic patients and their overworked caretakers. Offering unique perspectives from complex characters, Woody Brown intricately weaves delicate storylines with empathy and warmth, delivering an inspiring novel of acceptance and hope. Read on for an exclusive essay from Woody on writing Upward Bound. […]
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Seek Immediate Shelter: A Guest Post by Vincent Yu

Seek Immediate Shelter: A Guest Post by Vincent Yu

By Isabelle McConville|May 18, 2026
After a false alarm causes a town to spiral into chaos and confusion, the community confronts the harsh truths of their panicked decisions in this clever, thought-provoking story of survival, loyalty and betrayal that was inspired by real events. Read on for an exclusive essay from author Vincent Yu on writing Seek Immediate Shelter.
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Poured Over: Caro Claire Burke on Yesteryear

Poured Over: Caro Claire Burke on Yesteryear

By Isabelle McConville|April 7, 2026
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke is a witty, dark debut about a tradwife social media influencer. Caro joins us to talk about likable characters, performance, social media, traditional living, surveillance and more with cohost Jenna Seery.
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Poured Over: Patricia Finn on The Golden Boy

Poured Over: Patricia Finn on The Golden Boy

By Isabelle McConville|March 10, 2026
The Golden Boy by Patricia Finn is a deeply funny and tender novel following a former Hollywood executive who must finally confront a long-buried secret to build a brighter future. Patricia joins us to talk about ghostwriting, hope, voice, boundaries, Aristotle, connection and more with cohost Isabelle McConville. This episode of Poured Over was hosted […]
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Poured Over: Madeline Cash on Lost Lambs

Poured Over: Madeline Cash on Lost Lambs

By Isabelle McConville|February 6, 2026
Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash is a witty and wry story centered on the enigmatic and ever-entertaining Flynn family. Madeline joins us to talk about world building, puns, humor, character and more with cohost Isabelle McConville. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Isabelle McConville and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays […]
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Poured Over: Natalie Adler on Waiting on a Friend

Poured Over: Natalie Adler on Waiting on a Friend

By Isabelle McConville|May 26, 2026
Waiting on a Friend by Natalie Adler is a big-hearted, tender and hilarious story about love, ghosts, and community. Natalie joins us to talk about New York City, the 1980s, nostalgia, boundaries, hope and more with host Miwa Messer.
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Explore all of our previous Discover Debut Author Prize Winners!

Maggie; or, A Man and a Woman Walk into a Bar (B&N Discover Prize Winner)
Maggie; or, A Man and a Woman Walk into a Bar (B&N Discover Prize Winner)
Katie Yee
Hardcover
$23.99
$26.99
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Swift River: A Novel
Swift River: A Novel
Essie Chambers
Paperback
$13.49
$17.99
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The Berry Pickers: A Novel (B&N Exclusive Edition)
The Berry Pickers: A Novel (B&N Exclusive Edition)
Amanda Peters
BN Exclusive
$17.95
The Rabbit Hutch (B&N Discover Prize Winner) (National Book Award Winner)
The Rabbit Hutch (B&N Discover Prize Winner) (National Book Award Winner)
Tess Gunty
Paperback
$17.00

Barnes & Noble Discover Prize

The Discover Prize shortlist is a new prize that celebrates the very best new authors, elevating the joy of spotting fresh voices early on in their careers. Barnes & Noble booksellers have been reading hundreds of debut authors to narrow down to the six books that make up this years shortlist. Spanning historical fiction, works of mind-bending realities and harsh truths, equal parts painstakingly tragic and beautiful - these stories have permanently imprinted into our hearts, minds and bookshelves.