Four books from independent presses are among the five titles shortlisted for the 2024 Toronto Book Awards.

The $10,000 award marks its 50th anniversary this year. Established by the city in 1974, the award honours books across all genres that are inspired by the city. Shortlisted authors receive $1,000.

This year’s shortlist includes two novels, two nonfiction books, and one graphic memoir.

The finalists for this year’s award were selected by a jury comprised of writers Desmond Cole, Anthony De Sa, Jane Farrow, Rabindranath Maharaj, and Kerri Sakamoto.

The shortlisted books are:

• Reuniting with Strangers by Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio (Douglas & Mcintyre)
• The Roosting Box by Kristen Den Hartog (Goose Lane Editions)
• The Rasmussen Papers by Connie Gault (Thistledown Press)
• The Suicide Magnet: Inside the Battle to Erect a Safety Barrier on Toronto’s Bloor Viaduct by Paul McLaughlin (Dundurn Press)
• I’m So Glad We Had This Time Together by Maurice Vellekoop (Random House Canada)

The finalists were selected from a 12-book longlist announced in July.

The winner will be announced at an event in Toronto on Nov. 7.

Last year’s award was won by Wanda Nanibush and Georgiana Uhlyarik for their book Moving the Museum.