The 2025 longlist will include 20 books—five books across four categories.

Four winners (one from each category) will be chosen.

Books can be entered in the following categories:

• Leadership & Management | Seeing the big picture, making decisions, guiding processes, motivating people, and inspiring the organization.

• Innovation & Creativity | Imagining the future, exploring possibilities, designing solutions, and fostering entrepreneurship.

• Current Events & Public Affairs | Learning from the stories of individuals, companies, and industries. Expanding awareness and exploring systems, culture, and trends. 

• Personal Development & Human Behavior | Growing as people, understanding others, building a life and career. 

As the news cycle and internet culture become more cacophonous, a book’s ability to make us slow down and focus benefits us both personally and professionally. To add less to the cacophony, we will narrow our own focus to four business categories this year (down from eight in recent years).

Any book published in the U.S. in 2025 is eligible for entry, and all submissions to the awards are free. All books are judged on the quality of the writing, the originality and applicability of their ideas, and their ability to help readers understand and navigate the world.

Entries close on October 2.