The British Book Awards, commonly referred to as the Nibbies, are a set of literary accolades managed by The Bookseller. Established in 1990, the awards have undergone several transformations in ownership, sponsorship, and naming conventions throughout their history. Initially known as the British Book Awards, they were later rebranded as the National Book Awards from 2010 to 2014, adopting names like the Galaxy National Book Awards and the Specsavers National Book Awards due to their sponsors. Following a period without the National Book Awards after 2014, The Bookseller reacquired the awards in 2017, restoring the original name, the British Book Awards. The awards are distinguished by their golden nib-shaped trophy presented to recipients.

Over the years, the British Book Awards have introduced and modified various categories to reflect the evolving literary landscape. Recent years have seen the addition of awards for Romantic Fiction, Graphic Novels, and Science Fiction & Fantasy, as well as new categories aimed at showcasing underrepresented authors and indie presses. The ceremony format has also adapted, with instances of online or livestreamed events, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The awards continue to recognize excellence across a wide range of genres and contributions to the publishing industry.

The British Book Awards, often called the Nibbies, originated in 1990 and are overseen by The Bookseller. The awards have a complex history marked by changes in ownership and branding. From 1990 to 2009, they were known as the British Book Awards. Subsequently, the awards were acquired and renamed the National Book Awards, with sponsorship leading to variations such as the Galaxy National Book Awards (2010–2011) and the Specsavers National Book Awards (2012–2014). After a hiatus from 2015 to 2016, The Bookseller revived the awards in 2017, reverting to the name British Book Awards. The distinctive golden nib trophy is a consistent feature, giving the awards their popular nickname.

The structure of the British Book Awards has seen significant evolution, with categories being added, split, or renamed to better represent literary achievements. Recent years have witnessed the introduction of new categories such as Romantic Fiction, Graphic Novels, and Science Fiction & Fantasy for 2026. The 2022 awards introduced a 'Discover Book of the Year' award to highlight authors from underrepresented backgrounds and independent presses. Special honors have also been awarded, including the Freedom to Publish Award presented to Margaret Atwood in 2025 and Salman Rushdie in 2023, recognizing their stances on free expression and defense of authors. The 'Author of the Year' award has also seen notable recipients, with Katherine Rundell being the first children's writer to receive it since Philip Pullman in 2018.