Since the year 2000, Icelandic booksellers have hosted a prize where bookstore staff selects what they consider to be the best books of the year in several categories.
The categories have varied over the years, in the first years they were; original Icelandic novels, translated novels, original Icelandic children's books, translated children's books, poetry, biography and non-fiction. In 2012, a category of youth fiction was added and later the best book cover. Now the categories are seven.
2023
Novels, Original Icelandic
Bergþóra Snæbjörnsdóttir: Duft
Translated novels
Kathryn Hughes: Minningaskrínið. Translated by Ingunn Snædal
Poetry books
Gyrðir Elíasson: Meðan glerið sefur / Dulstirni
Children's and Young Adult Books, Original Icelandic
Hildur Knútsdóttir: Hrím
Non-Fiction and Biography
Kristín Loftsdóttir: Andlit til sýnis
Translated Children's and Young Adult books
David Walliams: Ofurskrímslið. Translated by Guðni Kolbeinsson
Book Cover
Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson: Snjór í Paradís. Designed by Ragnar Helgi Ólafsson
2022
Novels, Original Icelandic
Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir: Eden
Translated novels
Taylor Jenkins Reid: Sjö eiginmenn Evelyn Hugo. Translated by Sunna Dís Másdóttir
Poetry books
Bergþóra Snæbjörnsdóttir: Allt sem rennur
Children's and Young Adult Books, Original Icelandic
Kristín Björg Sigurvinsdóttir: Dulstafir: Bronsharpan
Non-Fiction and Biography
Þorvaldur Friðriksson: Keltar: Áhrif á íslenska tungu og menningu
Translated Children's and Young Adult books
David Walliams: Amma glæpon enn á ferð. Translated by Guðni Kolbeinsson
Book Cover
Dagur Hjartarson: Ljósagangur. Designed by Emilía Ragnarsdóttir
2021
Novels, Original Icelandic
Fríða Ísberg: Merking
Translated novels
Bernardine Evaristo: Stúlka, kona, annað. Translated by Helga Soffía Einarsdóttir
Poetry books
Eydís Blöndal: Ég brotna 100% niður
Youth fiction
Margrét Tryggvadóttir: Sterk
Biography
Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson: Rætur
Children's Books, Original Icelandic
Helgi Jónsson og Anna Margrét Marinósdóttir: Fagurt galaði fuglinn
Translated Children's books
Carson Ellis: Kva es þak? Translated by Sverrir Norland
Non-Fiction
Anna Dröfn Ágústsdóttir og Guðni Valberg: Laugavegur
Book Cover
Þórunn Jarla Valdimarsdóttir: Bærinn brennur. Designed by Halla Sigga
Novels, Original Icelandic
Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson: Snerting
Translated novels
J.M. Coetzee: Beðið eftir barbörunum. Translated by Rúnar Helgi Vignisson.
Poetry books
Brynjólfur Þorsteinsson: Sonur grafarans
Youth fiction
Hildur Knútsdóttir: Skógurinn
Biography
Gunnhildur Arna Gunnarsdóttir: Berskjaldaður. Barátta Einars Þórs fyrir lífi og ást
Children's Books, Original Icelandic
Lóa Hlín Hjálmtýsdóttir: Grísafjörður
Translated Children's books
Tove Jansson: Múmínálfarnir, volume III. Translated by Guðrún Jarþrúður Baldvinsdóttir, Steinunn Briem and Þórdís Gísladóttir.
Non-Fiction
Erla Hulda Halldórsdóttir, Kristín Svava Tómasdóttir, Ragnheiður Kristjánsdóttir and Þorgerður H. Þorvaldsdóttir: Konur sem kjósa - aldarsaga
Novels, original Icelandic
Bergþóra Snæbjörnsdóttir: Svínshöfuð
Translated Novels
Trevor Noah: Glæpur við fæðingu. Translated by Helga Soffía Einarsdóttir.
Poetry books
Brynja Hjálmsdóttir: Okfruman
Biography
Sigríður Kristín Þorgrímsdóttir: Jakobína - Saga skálds og konu
Youth Fiction
Hildur Knútsdóttir: Nornin
Children's Books, original Icelandic
Rán Flygenring: Vigdís - bókin um fyrsta konuforsetann
Translated Children's Books
David Walliams: Slæmur pabbi. Translated by Guðni Kolbeinsson.
Non-Fiction
Andri Snær Magnason: Um tímann og vatnið
Novels, original Icelandic
Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir: Ungfrú Ísland
Translated Novels
Chinua Achebe: Allt sundrast. Translated by Elísa Björg Þorsteinsdóttir.
Poetry Books
Gerður Kristný: Sálumessa
Youth Fiction
Hildur Knútsdóttir: Ljónið
Biography
Þóra Kristín Ásgeirsdóttir: Hasim. Götustrákur í Kalkútta og Reykjavík
Children's Books, Original Icelandic
Þórarinn Eldjárn: Ljóðpundari
Translated Children's books
Tove Jansson: Múmínálfarnir. Litlu álfarnir og flóðið mikla – Halastjarnan – Pípuhattur galdrakarlsins. Translated by Steinunn Briem and Þórdís Gísladóttir.
Non-Fiction
Hörður Kristinsson, Þóra Ellen Þórhallsdóttir and Jón Baldur Hlíðberg: Flóra Íslands – blómplöntur og byrkningar
Novels, original Icelandic
Jón Kalman Stefánsson: Saga Ástu (Ásta‘s Story)
Translated novels
Han Kang: Grænmetisætan (Ch'aesikjuuija). Ingunn Snædal þýddi.
Juan Pablo Villalobos: Veisla í greninu (Fiesta en la madriguera). Translated by María Rán Guðjónsdóttir.Poetry books
Fríða Ísberg: Slitförin (Stretch Marks)
Youth fiction
Kristín Helga Gunnarsdóttir: Vertu ósýnilegur – flóttasaga Ishmaels (Stay Invisible – The Story of Ishmael's Flight)
Biography
Þorvaldur Kristinsson: Helgi – minningar Helga Tómassonar (Memoirs of Helgi Tómasson)
Children's Books, Original Icelandic
Hjörleifur Hjartarson og Rán Flygenring: Fuglar (Birds)
Translated Children's books
Elena Favilli og Francesca Cavallo: Kvöldsögur fyrir uppreisnargjarnar stelpur (Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls). Translated by Magnea J. Matthíasdóttir.
Non-Fiction
Steinunn Kristjánsdóttir: Leitin að klaustrunum – klausturhald á Íslandi í fimm aldir (Searching for the Cloisters: Five Centuries of Cloisters in Iceland)
Novels, original Icelandic
Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir: Ör (Arrow)
Translated novels
Kristin Hannah: Næturgalinn (The Nightingale). Þýðandi: Ólöf Pétursdóttir
Children's Books, Original Icelandic
Lára Garðarsdóttir: Flökkusaga (Rumour)
Translated Children's books
David Walliams og Tony Ross: Vonda frænkan (Awful Auntie). Þýðandi: Guðni Kolbeinsson
Youth fiction
Hildur Knútsdóttir: Vetrarhörkur (Hard Winter)
Poetry books
Sigurður Pálsson: Ljóð muna rödd (Poetry Remembers Voice)
Non-Fiction
Ragnar Axelsson: Andlit norðursins (Face of the North)
Biography
Steinunn Sigurðardóttir: Heiða – fjallabóndinn (Heiða: the Highland Farmer)
Novels, original Icelandic
Auður Jónsdóttir: Stóri skjálfti (The Big Quake)
Translated novels
Kim Leine: Spámennirnir í Botnleysufirði (Profeterne i Evighedsfjorden). Þýðandi: Jón Hallur Stefánsson
Children's Books, Original Icelandic
Ragnhildur Hólmgeirsdóttir: Koparborgin (City of Copper)
og Gunnar Helgason: Mamma klikk (Mom's Crazy!)Translated Children's books
David Walliams: Strákurinn í kjólnum (The Boy in the Dress). Þýðandi: Guðni Kolbeinsson
Youth fiction
Ragnheiður Eyjólfsdóttir: Skuggasaga – Arftakinn (Tale of Shadows: The Successor)
Young Adult Novel in Translation
Franziska Moll: Þegar þú vaknar (Was ich dich träumen lasse). Þýðandi: Herdís M. Hübner
Poetry books
Linda Vilhjálmsdóttir: Frelsi (Freedom)
Non-Fiction
Páll Baldvin Baldvinsson: Stríðsárin 1938-1945 (The War Years 1938-1945)
Biography
Sigmundur Ernir Rúnarsson: Munaðarleysinginn (The Orphan)
Novels, original Icelandic
Ófeigur Sigurðsson: Öræfi (Wilderness)
Translated novels
Hannah Kent: Náðarstund (Burial Rites). Translated by Jón St. Kristjánsson.
Children's Books, Original Icelandic
Ævar Þór Benediktsson: Þín eigin þjóðsaga (Make Your Own Fable)
Translated Children's books
David Walliams: Rottuborgari (Ratburger). Translated by Guðni Kolbeinsson.
Youth fiction
Bryndís Björgvinsdóttir: Hafnfirðingabrandarinn (The Hafnarfjörður Joke)
Young Adult Books in Translation
Rainbow Rowell: Eleanor og Park (Eleanor and Park). Translators: Marta Hlín Magnúsdóttir and Birgitta Elín Hassell.
Poetry books
Kristín Eiríksdóttir: Kok (Throat)
Non-Fiction
Snorri Baldursson: Lífríki Íslands – Vistkerfi lands og sjávar (Flora and fauna of Iceland)
Biography
Helga Guðrún Johnsson: Saga þeirra, saga mín (Their Story, My Story)
and Jóhanna Kristjónsdóttir: Svarthvítir dagar (Black-and-White Days)Novels, original Icelandic
Sjón: Mánasteinn (Moon Stone)
Translated novels
Frederik Backman: Maður sem heitir Ove (A Man Named Ove). Translated by Jón Daníelsson.
Children's Books, Original Icelandic
Vilhelm Anton Jónsson: Vísindabók Villa (Villi´s Science Book)
Translated Children's books
David Walliams: Amma Glæpon (Gangsta Granny). Translated by Guðni Kolbeinsson.
Youth fiction
Andri Snær Magnason: Tímakistan (The Time Vault)
Young Adult Books in Translation
Veronica Roth: Afbrigði (Divergent). Translated by Magnea J. Matthíasdóttir.
Poetry books
Bjarki Karlsson: Árleysi alda (Moment of Ages)
Non-Fiction
Guðbjörg Kristjánsdóttir: Íslenska teiknibókin (The Book of Icelandic Drawings)
Biography
Sigrún Pálsdóttir: Sigrún og Friðgeir (Sigrún and Friðgeir)
Novels, original Icelandic
Eiríkur Örn Norðdahl: Illska (Evil)
Translated novels
Jennifer Egan: Nútíminn er trunta (A Visit From the Goon Squad). Translation by Arnar Matthíasson
Children's Books, Original Icelandic
Þórdís Gísladóttir: Randalín og Mundi (Randalín and Mundi)
Translated Children's books
Jakob Martin Strid: Ótrúleg saga um risastóra peru (Den utrolige historie om den kæmpestore pære). Translation by Jón St. Kristjánsson
Youth fiction
Kjartan Yngvi Björnsson and Snæbjörn Brynjarsson: Hrafnsauga (The Raven's Eye)
Young Adult Books in Translation
Mats Strandberg and Sara Bergmark Elfgren: Hringurinn (Cirkeln). Translation by Þórdís Gísladóttir
Poetry books
Megas: Megas - textar 1966-2011 (Megas - Texts 1966-2011)
Best Non-Fiction
Dr. Gunni: Stuð vors lands
Biography
Ingibjörg Reynisdóttir: Gísli á Uppsölum
Novels, original Icelandic
Jón Kalman Stefánsson: Hjarta mannsins (The Heart of Man)
Steinunn Sigurðardóttir: JójóTranslated novels
Jonas Jonasson: Gamlinginn (The Old Man). Translation by Páll Valsson
Children's Books, Original Icelandic
Bryndís Björgvinsdóttir: Flugan sem stöðvaði stríðið (The Fly That Stopped the War)
Translated Children's books
Biro Val (a retelling): Esóp's Fables. Translation by Steingrímur Steinþórsson
Poetry books
Þorsteinn frá Hamri: Allt kom það nær (Everything Came Near)
Biography
Hannes Pétursson: Jarðlag í tímanum (Stratum in Time)
Non-Fiction
Jónas Kristjánssson: 1001 þjóðleið (1001 Roads)
Novels, original Icelandic
Bergsveinn Birgisson: Svar við bréfi Helgu (A Reply to Helga's Letter)
Translated novels
Sofi Oksanen: Hreinsun (Puhdistus). Translation by Sigurður Karlsson
Children's Books, Original Icelandic
Þórarinn Eldjárn: Árstíðirnar (The Seasons)
Translated Children's books
Annabel Karmel: Þú getur eldað (You Can Cook). Translation by Nanna Rögnvaldsdóttir
Poetry books
Gerður Kristný: Blóðhófnir
Biography
Guðni Th. Jóhannesson: Gunnar Thoroddsen
Non-Fiction
Ragnar Axelsson (RAX): Veiðimenn norðursins (Hunters of the North)
Novels, original Icelandic
Jón Kalman Stefánsson: Harmur englanna (The Angels's Grief)
Translated novels
Carlos Ruiz Zafrón: Leikur engilsins (El juego del ángel). Translation by Sigrún Á. Eiríksdóttir
Children's Books, Original Icelandic
Silja Aðalsteinsdóttir: Úrval úr sögum, þjóðsögum og ævintýrum. Úr safni Jóns Árnasonar og fleiri (A Collection of Stories, Folk Tales and Fairy Tales)
Translated Children's books
Mario Ramos: Hver er sterkastur? (C'est moi le plus fort). Translation by Guðrún Vilmundardóttir
Poetry books
Gyrðir Elíasson: Nokkur orð um kulnun sólar (A Few Words on the Cooling of the Sun)
Biography
Páll Valsson: Ævisaga Vigdísar Finnbogadóttur (Biography of Vigdís Finnbogadóttir)
Non-Fiction
Helgi Björnsson: Jöklar á Íslandi (Icelandic Glaciers)
Novels, original Icelandic
Einar Kárason: Ofsi (Rage)
Translated novels
Markus Zusak: Bókaþjófurinn (The Book Thief). Translation by Ísak Harðarson
Children's Books, Original Icelandic
Gerður Kristný: Garðurinn (The Garden)
Translated Children's books
Mario Ramos: Hver er flottastur? (C'est moi le plus beau). Translation by Guðrún Vilmundardóttir
Poetry books
Páll Ólafsson: Eg skal kveða um eina þig alla mína daga: ástarljóð Páls Ólafssonar (Páll Ólafsson's Love Poetry)
Biography
Sigmundir Ernir Rúnarsson: Magnea
Non-Fiction
David Burnie: Dýrin (Animal). Translation by Guðni Kolbeinsson. Edited by Örnólfur Thorlacius
Novels, original Icelandic
Jón Kalman Stefánsson: Himnaríki og helvíti (Heaven and Hell)
Translated novels
Khaled Hosseini: Þúsund bjartar sólir (A Thousand Splendid Suns). Translation by Anna María Hilmarsdóttir
Children's Books, Original Icelandic
Þórarinn Eldjárn: Gælur, fælur og þvælur
Translated Children's books
J. K. Rowling: Harry Potter og dauðadjásnin (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows). Translation by Helga Haraldsdóttir
Poetry books
Kristín Svava Tómasdóttir: Blótgælur
Biography
Vigdís Grímsdóttir: Sagan um Bíbí Ólafsdóttur (The Story of Bíbí Ólafsdóttir)
Non-Fiction
Sigríður Harðardóttir (ed.): Maðurinn (The Man)
Novels, original Icelandic
Bragi Ólafsson: Sendiherrann (The Ambassador)
Translated novels
Vikas Swarup: Viltu vinna milljarð? (Q and A). Translation by Helga Þórarinsdóttir
Children's Books, Original Icelandic
Guðrún Helgadóttir: Öðru vísi saga (A Different Kind of Story)
Translated Children's books
Ernest Drake: Drekafræði: drekabókin mikla (About Dragons: the Big Book of Dragons). Translation by Árni Óskarsson
Poetry books
Ingunn Snædal: Guðlausir menn (Godless Men)
Biography
Halldór Guðmundsson: Skáldalíf (Poet's Life)
Non-Fiction
Andri Snær Magnason: Draumalandið (The Dreamland)
Novels, original Icelandic
Sjón: Argóarflísin (The Whispering Muse)
Translated novels
Carlos Ruiz Zafón: Skuggi vindsins (La sombra del viento). Translation by Tómas R. Einarsson
Children's Books, Original Icelandic
Áslaug Jónsdóttir: Gott kvöld (Good Evening)
Translated Children's books
Christopher Paolini: Eragon. Translation by Guðni Kolbeinsson
Poetry books
Þórarinn Eldjárn: Hættir og mörk
Biography
Gerður Kristný: Myndin af pabba: saga Thelmu (The Picture of Dad: Thelma's Story)
Non-Fiction
Hans H. Hansen: Íslandsatlas (Iceland Atlas)
Novels, original Icelandic
Bragi Ólafsson: Samkvæmisleikir (Party Games)
Translated novels
Mark Haddon: Furðulegt háttalag hunds um nótt (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time). Translation by Kristín R. Thorlacius
Children's Books, Original Icelandic
Áslaug Jónsdóttir: Nei! sagði litla skrímslið (No! Said the Little Monster)
Translated Children's books
Julia Donaldson: Greppibarnið (The Gruffalo's Child). Translation by Þórarinn Eldjárn
Poetry books
Sigfús Bjartmarsson: Andræði
Biography
Halldór Guðmundsson: Halldór Laxness
Non-Fiction
Snævarr Guðmundson: Íslenskur stjörnuatlas (Icelandic Atlas of Astronomy)
Novels, original Icelandic
Ólafur Gunnarsson: Öxin og jörðin (The Axe and the Earth)
Translated novels
Dan Brown: Da Vinci lykillinn (The Da Vinci Code). Translation by Ásta S. Guðbjartsdóttir
Children's Books, Original Icelandic
Sigrún Eldjárn: Týndu augun (The Lost Eyes)
Translated Children's books
Zizou Corder: Ljónadrengurinn (The Lion Boy). Translation by Guðrún Eva Mínervudóttir
Poetry books
Gyrðir Elíasson: Tvífundnaland (TwiceFoundLand)
Biography
Þráinn Bertelsson: Einhvers konar ég (Myself and I)
Non-Fiction
Ýmsir höfundar: Úr torfbæjum inn í tækniöld (From the Turf into the Age of Technology)
Novels, original Icelandic
Andri Snær Magnason: LoveStar
Translated novels
Houellebecq Michael: Áform (Platforme). Translation by Friðrik Rafnsson
Children's Books, Original Icelandic
Þorvaldur Þorsteinsson: Blíðfinnur og svörtu teningarnir - ferðin til Targíu (Betterby and the Black Blocks - The Trip to Targia)
and
Auður Jónsdóttir: Skrýtnastur er maður sjálfur (Oneself is the Weirdest)Translated Children's books
Philip Pullman: Skuggasjónaukinn (The Amber Spyglass). Translation by Anna Heiða Pálsdóttir
Poetry books
Ingibjörg Haraldsdóttir: Hvar sem ég verð? (Wherever I Will Be)
Biography
Einar Kárason: KK - Þangað sem vindurinn blæs (KK: Where the Wind Blows)
Non-Fiction
Þór Whitehead: Ísland í hers höndum (Iceland in the time of World War II)
Novels, original Icelandic
Hallgrímur Helgason: Höfundur Íslands (The Author of Iceland)
Translated novels
Hasek Jaroslav: Ævintýri góða dátans Svejk í heimsstyrjöldinni (Osudy dobrého vojáka Svejka za svetové války). Translation by Karl Ísfeld
Children's Books, Original Icelandic
Þórarinn Eldjárn: Grannmeti og átvextir
Translated Children's books
Rowling, J. K. : Harry Potter og eldbikarinn (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire). Translation by Helga Haraldsdóttir
Poetry books
Sigurður Pálsson: Ljóðtímaleit (Poetry Time Search)
Biography
Sigríður Dúna Kristmundsdóttir: Björg: ævisaga Bjargar C. Þorláksson (Björg: A Biography of Björg C. Þorláksdóttir)
Non-Fiction
Gunnar L. Hjálmarsson: Eru ekki allir í stuði? Rokk á Íslandi á síðustu öld (Is Everybody Having Fun? Rock and Roll in 20th Century-Iceland)
Novels, original Icelandic
Einar Már Guðmundsson: Draumar á jörðu (Dreams on Earth)
Translated novels
Isabella Allende: Dóttir gæfunnar (La hija de la fortuna). Translation by Kolbrún Sveinsdóttir
Children's Books, Original Icelandic
Þorvaldur Þorsteinsson: Ert þú Blíðfinnur? : ég er með mikilvæg skilaboð (Are You Blíðfinnur? : I Have an Important Message)
Translated Children's books
Rowling, J.K.: Harry Potter og fanginn frá Azkaban (Harry Potter and the prisoner from Azkaban). Translation by Helga Haraldsdóttir
Poetry books
Sigurbjörg Þrastardóttir: Hnattflug (Circumnavigation)
Biography
No voting in the category that year
Non-Fiction
No voting in the category that year