The Booksellers´ Prize

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 are original Icelandic novels, translated novels, original Icelandic children's book, translated children's book, poetry, biography and non-fiction. In 2012, two more categories were added; original Icelandic teenagers' books and translated teenagers' books.

2017

Best Icelandic novel

Jón Kalman Stefánsson: Saga Ástu (Ásta‘s Story)

Best novel in Icelandic translation

Han Kang: Grænmetisætan (Ch'aesikjuuija). Ingunn Snædal þýddi.
Juan Pablo Villalobos: Veisla í greninu (Fiesta en la madriguera). Translated by María Rán Guðjónsdóttir.

Best Icelandic book of poetry

Fríða Ísberg: Slitförin (Stretch Marks)

Best Icelandic Young Adult Fiction

Kristín Helga Gunnarsdóttir: Vertu ósýnilegur – flóttasaga Ishmaels (Stay Invisible – The Story of Ishmael's Flight)

Best Icelandic biography

Þorvaldur Kristinsson: Helgi – minningar Helga Tómassonar (Memoirs of Helgi Tómasson)

Best Icelandic children's book

Hjörleifur Hjartarson og Rán Flygenring: Fuglar (Birds)

Best children's book in Icelandic translation

Elena Favilli og Francesca Cavallo: Kvöldsögur fyrir uppreisnargjarnar stelpur (Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls). Translated by Magnea J. Matthíasdóttir.

Best Icelandic Non Fiction

Steinunn Kristjánsdóttir: Leitin að klaustrunum – klausturhald á Íslandi í fimm aldir (Searching for the Cloisters: Five Centuries of Cloisters in Iceland)

2016

Best Icelandic Novel

Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir: Ör (Arrow)

Best Novel in Translateion

Kristin Hannah: Næturgalinn (The Nightingale). Þýðandi: Ólöf Pétursdóttir

Best Icelandic Children's Book

Lára Garðarsdóttir: Flökkusaga (Rumour)

Best Children's Book in Translation

David Walliams og Tony Ross: Vonda frænkan (Awful Auntie). Þýðandi: Guðni Kolbeinsson

Best Icelandic Young Adult Book

Hildur Knútsdóttir: Vetrarhörkur (Hard Winter)

Best Young Adult Novel in Translation

None

Best Icelandic Book of Poetry

Sigurður Pálsson: Ljóð muna rödd (Poetry Remembers Voice)

Best Icelandic Non Fiction

Ragnar Axelsson: Andlit norðursins (Face of the North)

Best Icelandic Biography

Steinunn Sigurðardóttir: Heiða – fjallabóndinn (Heiða: the Highland Farmer)

2015

Best Icelandic Novel

Auður Jónsdóttir: Stóri skjálfti (The Big Quake)

Best Novel in Translation

Kim Leine: Spámennirnir í Botnleysufirði (Profeterne i Evighedsfjorden). Þýðandi: Jón Hallur Stefánsson

Best Icelandic Children's Book

Ragnhildur Hólmgeirsdóttir: Koparborgin (City of Copper)
og Gunnar Helgason: Mamma klikk (Mom's Crazy!)

Best Children's Book in Translation

David Walliams: Strákurinn í kjólnum (The Boy in the Dress). Þýðandi: Guðni Kolbeinsson

Best Icelandic Young Adult Book

Ragnheiður Eyjólfsdóttir: Skuggasaga – Arftakinn (Tale of Shadows: The Successor)

Best Young Adult Novel in Translation

Franziska Moll: Þegar þú vaknar (Was ich dich träumen lasse). Þýðandi: Herdís M. Hübner

Best Icelandic Book of Poetry

Linda Vilhjálmsdóttir: Frelsi (Freedom)

Best Icelandic Non Fiction

Páll Baldvin Baldvinsson: Stríðsárin 1938-1945 (The War Years 1938-1945)

Best Icelandic Biography

Sigmundur Ernir Rúnarsson: Munaðarleysinginn (The Orphan)

2014

Best Icelandic novel

Ófeigur Sigurðsson: Öræfi (Wilderness)

Best Novel in Translation

Hannah Kent: Náðarstund (Burial Rites). Translated by Jón St. Kristjánsson.

Best Icelandic Children's Book

Ævar Þór Benediktsson: Þín eigin þjóðsaga (Make Your Own Fable)

Best Children's Book in Translation

David Walliams: Rottuborgari (Ratburger). Translated by Guðni Kolbeinsson.

Best Icelandic Yount Adult Book

Bryndís Björgvinsdóttir: Hafnfirðingabrandarinn (The Hafnarfjörður Joke)

Best Young Adult Book in Translation

Rainbow Rowell: Eleanor og Park (Eleanor and Park). Translators: Marta Hlín Magnúsdóttir and Birgitta Elín Hassell.

Best Poetry Book

Kristín Eiríksdóttir: Kok (Throat)

Best Non-Fiction

Snorri Baldursson: Lífríki Íslands – Vistkerfi lands og sjávar (Flora and fauna of Iceland)

Best Biography

Helga Guðrún Johnsson: Saga þeirra, saga mín (Their Story, My Story)
og Jóhanna Kristjónsdóttir: Svarthvítir dagar (Black-and-White Days)

2013

Best Icelandic Novel

Sjón: Draumasteinn (Dream Stone)

Best Novel in Translation

Frederik Backman: Maður sem heitir Ove (A Man Named Ove). Translated by Jón Daníelsson.

Best Icelandic Children's Book

Vilhelm Anton Jónsson: Vísindabók Villa (Villi´s Science Book)

Best Children's Book in Translation

David Walliams: Amma Glæpon (Gangsta Granny). Translated by Guðni Kolbeinsson.

Best Icelandic Young Adult Book

Andri Snær Magnason: Tímakistan (The Time Vault)

Best Young Adult Book in Translation

Veronica Roth: Afbrigði (Divergent). Translated by Magnea J. Matthíasdóttir.

Best Poetry Book

Bjarki Karlsson: Árleysi alda (Moment of Ages)

Best Non-Fiction

Guðbjörg Kristjánsdóttir: Íslenska teiknibókin (The Book of Icelandic Drawings)

Best Biography

Sigrún Pálsdóttir: Sigrún og Friðgeir (Sigrún and Friðgeir)

2012

Best Icelandic Novel

Eiríkur Örn Norðdahl: Illska (Evil)

Best Novel in Translation

Jennifer Egan: Nútíminn er trunta (A Visit From the Goon Squad). Translation by Arnar Matthíasson

Best Icelandic Children's Book

Þórdís Gísladóttir: Randalín og Mundi (Randalín and Mundi)

Best Children's Book in Translation

Jakob Martin Strid: Ótrúleg saga um risastóra peru (Den utrolige historie om den kæmpestore pære). Translation by Jón St. Kristjánsson

Best Icelandic Young Adult Book

Kjartan Yngvi Björnsson and Snæbjörn Brynjarsson: Hrafnsauga (The Raven's Eye)

Best Young Adult Book in Translation

Mats Strandberg and Sara Bergmark Elfgren: Hringurinn (Cirkeln). Translation by Þórdís Gísladóttir

Best Poetry Book

Megas: Megas - textar 1966-2011 (Megas - Texts 1966-2011)

Best Non-Fiction

Dr. Gunni: Stuð vors lands

Best Biography

Ingibjörg Reynisdóttir: Gísli á Uppsölum

2011

Best Icelandic Novel

Jón Kalman Stefánsson: Hjarta mannsins (The Heart of Man)
Steinunn Sigurðardóttir: Jójó

Best Novel in Translation

Jonas Jonasson: Gamlinginn (The Old Man). Translation by Páll Valsson

Best Icelandic Children's Book

Bryndís Björgvinsdóttir: Flugan sem stöðvaði stríðið (The Fly That Stopped the War)

Best Children's Book in Translation

Biro Val (a retelling): Esóp's Fables. Translation by Steingrímur Steinþórsson

Best Poetry Book

Þorsteinn frá Hamri: Allt kom það nær (Everything Came Near)

Best Biography

Hannes Pétursson: Jarðlag í tímanum (Stratum in Time)

Best Non-Fiction

Jónas Kristjánssson: 1001 þjóðleið (1001 Roads)

2010

Best Icelandic Novel

Bergsveinn Birgisson: Svar við bréfi Helgu (A Reply to Helga's Letter)

Best Novel in Translation

Sofi Oksanen: Hreinsun (Puhdistus). Translation by Sigurður Karlsson

Best Icelandic Children's Book

Þórarinn Eldjárn: Árstíðirnar (The Seasons)

Best Children's Book in Translation

Annabel Karmel: Þú getur eldað (You Can Cook). Translation by Nanna Rögnvaldsdóttir

Best Poetry Book

Gerður Kristný: Blóðhófnir

Best Biography

Guðni Th. Jóhannesson: Gunnar Thoroddsen

Best Non-Fiction

Ragnar Axelsson (RAX): Veiðimenn norðursins (Hunters of the North)

2009

Best Icelandic Novel

Jón Kalman Stefánsson: Harmur englanna (The Angels's Grief)

Best Novel in Translation

Carlos Ruiz Zafrón: Leikur engilsins (El juego del ángel). Translation by Sigrún Á. Eiríksdóttir

Best Icelandic Children's Book

Silja Aðalsteinsdóttir: Úrval úr sögum, þjóðsögum og ævintýrum. Úr safni Jóns Árnasonar og fleiri (A Collection of Stories, Folk Tales and Fairy Tales)

Best Children's Book in Translation

Mario Ramos: Hver er sterkastur? (C'est moi le plus fort). Translation by Guðrún Vilmundardóttir

Best Poetry Book

Gyrðir Elíasson: Nokkur orð um kulnun sólar (A Few Words on the Cooling of the Sun)

Best Biography

Páll Valsson: Ævisaga Vigdísar Finnbogadóttur (Biography of Vigdís Finnbogadóttir)

Best Non-Fiction

Helgi Björnsson: Jöklar á Íslandi (Icelandic Glaciers)

2008

Best Icelandic Novel

Einar Kárason: Ofsi (Rage)

Best Novel in Translation

Markus Zusak: Bókaþjófurinn (The Book Thief). Translation by Ísak Harðarson

Best Icelandic Children's Book

Gerður Kristný: Garðurinn (The Garden)

Best Children's Book in Translation

Mario Ramos: Hver er flottastur? (C'est moi le plus beau). Translation by Guðrún Vilmundardóttir

Best Poetry Book

Páll Ólafsson: Eg skal kveða um eina þig alla mína daga: ástarljóð Páls Ólafssonar (Páll Ólafsson's Love Poetry)

Best Biography

Sigmundir Ernir Rúnarsson: Magnea

Best Non-Fiction

David Burnie: Dýrin (Animal). Translation by Guðni Kolbeinsson. Edited by Örnólfur Thorlacius

2007

Best Icelandic Novel

Jón Kalman Stefánsson: Himnaríki og helvíti (Heaven and Hell)

Best Novel in Translation

Khaled Hosseini: Þúsund bjartar sólir (A Thousand Splendid Suns). Translation by Anna María Hilmarsdóttir

Best Icelandic Children's Book

Þórarinn Eldjárn: Gælur, fælur og þvælur

Best Children's Book in Translation

J. K. Rowling: Harry Potter og dauðadjásnin (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows). Translation by Helga Haraldsdóttir

Best Poetry Book

Kristín Svava Tómasdóttir: Blótgælur

Best Biography

Vigdís Grímsdóttir: Sagan um Bíbí Ólafsdóttur (The Story of Bíbí Ólafsdóttir)

Best Non-Fiction

Sigríður Harðardóttir (ed.): Maðurinn (The Man)

2006

Best Icelandic Novel

Bragi Ólafsson: Sendiherrann (The Ambassador)

Best Novel in Translation

Vikas Swarup: Viltu vinna milljarð? (Q and A). Translation by Helga Þórarinsdóttir

Best Icelandic Children's Book

Guðrún Helgadóttir: Öðru vísi saga (A Different Kind of Story)

Best Children's Book in Translation

Ernest Drake: Drekafræði: drekabókin mikla (About Dragons: the Big Book of Dragons). Translation by Árni Óskarsson

Best Poetry Book

Ingunn Snædal: Guðlausir menn (Godless Men)

Best Biography

Halldór Guðmundsson: Skáldalíf (Poet's Life)

Best Non-Fiction

Andri Snær Magnason: Draumalandið (The Dreamland)

2005

Best Icelandic Novel

Sjón: Argóarflísin (The Whispering Muse)

Best Novel in Translation

Carlos Ruiz Zafón: Skuggi vindsins (La sombra del viento). Translation by Tómas R. Einarsson

Best Icelandic Children's Book

Áslaug Jónsdóttir: Gott kvöld (Good Evening)

Best Children's Book in Translation

Christopher Paolini: Eragon. Translation by Guðni Kolbeinsson

Best Poetry Book

Þórarinn Eldjárn: Hættir og mörk

Best Biography

Gerður Kristný: Myndin af pabba: saga Thelmu (The Picture of Dad: Thelma's Story)

Best Non-Fiction

Hans H. Hansen: Íslandsatlas (Iceland Atlas)

2004

Best Icelandic Novel

Bragi Ólafsson: Samkvæmisleikir (Party Games)

Best Novel in Translation

Mark Haddon: Furðulegt háttalag hunds um nótt (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time). Translation by Kristín R. Thorlacius

Best Icelandic Children's Book

Áslaug Jónsdóttir: Nei! sagði litla skrímslið (No! Said the Little Monster)

Best Children's Book in Translation

Julia Donaldson: Greppibarnið (The Gruffalo's Child). Translation by Þórarinn Eldjárn

Best Poetry Book

Sigfús Bjartmarsson: Andræði

Best Biography

Halldór Guðmundsson: Halldór Laxness

Best Non-Fiction

Snævarr Guðmundson: Íslenskur stjörnuatlas (Icelandic Atlas of Astronomy)

2003

Best Icelandic Novel

Ólafur Gunnarsson: Öxin og jörðin (The Axe and the Earth)

Best Novel in Translation

Dan Brown: Da Vinci lykillinn (The Da Vinci Code). Translation by Ásta S. Guðbjartsdóttir

Best Icelandic Children's Book

Sigrún Eldjárn: Týndu augun (The Lost Eyes)

Best Children's Book in Translation

Zizou Corder: Ljónadrengurinn (The Lion Boy). Translation by Guðrún Eva Mínervudóttir

Best Poetry Book

Gyrðir Elíasson: Tvífundnaland (TwiceFoundLand)

Best Biography

Þráinn Bertelsson: Einhvers konar ég (Myself and I)

Best Non-Fiction

Ýmsir höfundar: Úr torfbæjum inn í tækniöld (From the Turf into the Age of Technology)

2002

Best Icelandic Novel

Andri Snær Magnason: LoveStar

Best Novel in Translation

Houellebecq Michael: Áform (Platforme). Translation by Friðrik Rafnsson

Best Icelandic Children's Book

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)

Best Children's Book in Translation

Philip Pullman: Skuggasjónaukinn (The Amber Spyglass). Translation by Anna Heiða Pálsdóttir

Best Poetry Book

Ingibjörg Haraldsdóttir: Hvar sem ég verð? (Wherever I Will Be)

Best Biography

Einar Kárason: KK - Þangað sem vindurinn blæs (KK: Where the Wind Blows)

Best Non-Fiction

Þór Whitehead: Ísland í hers höndum (Iceland in the time of World War II)

2001

Best Icelandic Novel

Hallgrímur Helgason: Höfundur Íslands (The Author of Iceland)

Best Novel in Translation

Hasek Jaroslav: Ævintýri góða dátans Svejk í heimsstyrjöldinni (Osudy dobrého vojáka Svejka za svetové války). Translation by Karl Ísfeld

Best Icelandic Children's Book

Þórarinn Eldjárn: Grannmeti og átvextir

Best Children's Book in Translation

Rowling, J. K. : Harry Potter og eldbikarinn (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire). Translation by Helga Haraldsdóttir

Best Poetry Book

Sigurður Pálsson: Ljóðtímaleit (Poetry Time Search)

Best Biography

Sigríður Dúna Kristmundsdóttir: Björg: ævisaga Bjargar C. Þorláksson (Björg: A Biography of Björg C. Þorláksdóttir)

Best 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)

2000

Best Icelandic Novel

Einar Már Guðmundsson: Draumar á jörðu (Dreams on Earth)

Best Novel in Translation

Isabella Allende: Dóttir gæfunnar (La hija de la fortuna). Translation by Kolbrún Sveinsdóttir

Best Icelandic Children's Book

Þorvaldur Þorsteinsson: Ert þú Blíðfinnur? : ég er með mikilvæg skilaboð (Are You Blíðfinnur? : I Have an Important Message)

Best Children's Book in Translation

Rowling, J.K.: Harry Potter og fanginn frá Azkaban (Harry Potter and the prisoner from Azkaban). Translation by Helga Haraldsdóttir

Best Poetry Book

Sigurbjörg Þrastardóttir: Hnattflug (Circumnavigation)

Best Biography

No voting in the category that year

Best Non-Fiction

No voting in the category that year