Booksellers Association - Indie Book of the Month

Indie Book of the Month launched as 'Independent Booksellers Children’s Book of the Season' in Autumn 2017. The initiative proved so popular that it became a monthly campaign in January 2019, and a year later rebranded as ‘Indie Book of the Month’, with a stunning new logo designed by children’s author and illustrator, Sophy Henn. In March 2020, an adult fiction title was introduced to the campaign, to run alongside the children’s title.

Indie Book of the Month is designed to showcase independent bookshops’ power to drive sales as a sector. It aims to demonstrate the impact independent booksellers can make by working together to build readerships for the books they love.

The titles for each month are chosen by a panel of independent booksellers from publisher submissions. The panel read and rate each title, their votes are collated, and the titles with the highest number of votes are then discussed by the panel and the Booksellers Association. After this, selections for the Indie Book of the Month are confirmed.

If you are interested in being a member of the bookseller panels for the Indie Book of the Month (these change every quarter) then please email k [email protected] stating whether you would like to be on the Fiction or the Children’s panel.

Submissions for Indie Book of the Month April-June 2026 will open on 8th of January.

Indie Book of the Month: December 2025

Fiction Book of the Month: The Bookseller by Tim Sullivan
Children's Book of the Month: Tiger, It's Snowing! by Daishu Ma

Independent bookshops across the UK and Ireland will be promoting The Bookseller and Tiger, It’s Snowing! throughout December both in-store and across social media. The Booksellers Association will also support the Indie Books of the Month campaign with dedicated Books Are My Bag-branded social media activity and promotional material.

A darkly atmospheric mystery set in the world of London’s independent bookshops, The Bookseller (Head of Zeus/Aries, publishing 06 December 2025) follows a solitary shop owner whose quiet life is disrupted when a rare and unusual book draws him into a web of secrets, obsession and hidden histories. Blending gripping suspense with a deep love of literature and community, Sullivan’s novel explores how stories can bind us together—and how they can pull us into danger.

Tim Sullivan, author of The Bookseller, said: “Going into your local independent bookshop is like stepping into a warm bath after a tiring and stressful day. What I love about independent booksellers is that it’s a completely personal curated experience. Their knowledge is such an extraordinary resource which people really should be aware of and utilise. Their ability to listen to you and assess your literary taste is key, particularly when you’re unsure what you’re looking for, and then place the perfect book in your hands is uncanny. They know what you’re after even when you don’t. I’m still grateful for my local bookshop in north London for introducing me to the work of Phillip Meyer. I just wish he’d write more…”

Tiger, It’s Snowing! by Daishu Ma is an enchanting and beautifully illustrated picture book that follows a tiger who wakes to discover snow for the very first time. With gentle humour and warmth, the story celebrates curiosity, friendship and the small adventures that bring joy to winter days, making it an ideal read-aloud for young children and families during the festive season.

Daishu Ma, author of Tiger, It’s Snowing!, said: “Independent bookshops are some of my favourite places in the world, both as a reader and as an author. Our booksellers put so much heart into creating safe, welcoming spaces where children and families can explore, connect and play, nurturing a love for reading and sharing within their communities. Their passion and efforts light up our streets and bring colour, warmth and magic to our communities. I’m absolutely over the moon that my picture book Tiger, It’s Snowing! has been chosen as Indie Book of the Month, and I cannot wait to visit more bookshops and share this tale of friendship and adventure with more young readers.”

Fiction panel: Literary Cat Books, Bourne Bookshop, Fox Lane Books
Children’s panel: Pickled Pepper Books, Next Page Books, Literary Cat Books, Chocolit

Join in with the Indie Book of the Month campaign on social media:
Instagram
Facebook
#IndieBookoftheMonth

Resources
- 2025 Monthly Social Media Assets
- Logo
- Poster A3
- Poster A4

Previous Indie Book of the Month titles
- Fiction Book of the Month
- Children's Book of the Month