‘Mona’s Eyes’ Named Barnes & Noble Book of the Year

Book of the Year: ‘Mona’s Eyes’ by Thomas Schlesser

Schlesser’s debut novel follows Mona, who experiences a temporary blindness episode and grapples with the impending threat of losing her sight permanently by committing various works of art to memory. She and her grandfather Henry spend every Wednesday for a year visiting a masterpiece in one of Paris’s many celebrated museums, embarking on a journey through art history while fostering a deep bond.

“Mona’s Eyes is, in a way, a kind of pilgrimage through museums — the guiding idea being that art exists in the service of life,” Schlesser said in the press release. “Let me be clear on one thing: being named the author of B&N’s Book of the Year, for a French author, this is absolutely amazing — I want to believe it’s a sign of deep friendship across the Atlantic. Oh, and I almost forgot: Mona is very, very proud too!” 

Barnes and Noble CEO James Daunt said Mona’s Eyes “snuck up on us,” and champions timeless themes of love, family, beauty and memory.

Gift Book of the Year: ‘Good Things’ by Samin Nosrat

In addition to serving as a comprehensive collection of delectable recipes, Nosrat’s cookbook also highlights the power of community in food and cooking. Barnes and Noble’s Senior Director of Books, Shannon DeVito, said Good Things is full of “conversational” recipes and “feels like an invitation for friends and family to gather.”

“I’m over the moon that Barnes & Noble has chosen Good Things as Gift Book of the Year,” said Nosrat. “I wrote this book to celebrate the simple joys of cooking and gathering — the ways we care for one another through food, laughter and time spent together. Thanks to Barnes & Noble for honoring that spirit.”

Children’s Book of the Year: ‘Growing Home’ by Beth Ferry

In Ferry’s middle-grade book, an assembly of “talkative plants, a curious spider and a grumpy goldfish” discover that the fish tank has magical powers — and when the water splashes on the plants, they too have abilities beyond belief. And they’re going to need those powers — because a sneaky man is hanging about, ready to steal the tank at all costs.

“When I learned that Growing Home had been chosen as the Barnes & Noble Children’s Book of the Year, it felt like a homecoming,” Ferry said. “On the day that my first book was published, just over 10 years ago, the first thing I did was drive to my local Barnes & Noble to see it on the shelf. Then and only then did it feel real to me because that is the power of bookstores.”

Children’s Book of the Year: ‘I Am Rebel’ by Ross Montgomery

Montgomery’s kid’s book follows Rebel, whose beloved owner Tom seems determined to join the rebellion to defeat the king’s men. But Rebel knows how dangerous it is, and he’ll go to great lengths to bring Tom home safely.

“I was lucky that I wasn’t drinking a cup of tea when I found out that I Am Rebel was going to be Barnes & Noble Children’s Book of the Year, because if I had been, I’d have spluttered it across the room,” Montgomery said.

“I’m absolutely bowled over by the love and support that the book has had from passionate, devoted booksellers across America: it still feels unbelievable to me that it’s being pressed into the hands of young readers thousands of miles away from where I live, and what’s more, that they like it!” he added. “If Rebel was here, he would lick your face until you asked him politely to stop.”