The Journal
The Note Bene Journal is where we’ll share all prize updates, author interviews, book reviews, and editorial pieces; it’s the very latest from Nota Bene, here for you to explore.
Review: ‘The Manningtree Witches’ by A. K. Blakemore
Every once in a while, you are fortunate enough to read a book that changes you. In three hundred or so pages, it takes you on a journey that challenges and changes your way of thinking. Read our review here.
A Chat With: Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai
Winner of our 2021 prize, we sat down with Dr Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai to discuss her incredible book The Mountains Sing.
Review: ‘Sorrow and Bliss’ by Meg Mason
Every once in a while, you are fortunate enough to read a book that changes you. In three hundred or so pages, it takes you on a journey that challenges and changes your way of thinking. Read our review here.
What’s Hot Right Now: 7 pop culture picks
In need of some inspiration? Here’s everything you need to listen to, watch, and browse right now.
7 Hot, European Summer Reads
Hot, sticky European summer reads to drift your way through the heat waves. Embrace the heat, senses and indulgence of summer life and put these reads on your TBR piles now. Viva la vida!
6 Books With Incredible Refugee Narratives
Most of us will never understand what it’s like to leave our homes and flee our country. That’s why this World Refugee Day we’re sharing our 6 favourite books that encapsulate the refugee experience…
Bookshop Spotlight: The Margate Bookshop
The Nota Bene Prize is all about celebrating the power of the reading community. This week we’re spotlighting The Margate Bookshop – an independent bookshop in the heart of Margate’s Old Town, a stone’s throw from the sea.
8 books exploring the trope of the ‘unhinged woman’ you need to read
We’ve always been culturally fascinated by stories about vengeful, angry or murderous women, but there’s a new wave of literature that’s reclaiming the trope of the ‘unhinged’ anti-heroine as a feminist icon. Here are our recommendations for books featuring complicated anti-heroines to add to your reading list…
8 Queer Love Stories You Must-Read
It’s Pride Month, and what’s better than a lil’ bit of love? Love has many facets and complexities, and we just love books that explore it in all its many forms. Here are the Queer love stories we think should be on everyone’s bookshelves…
8 Great Friendship Books for your TBR list
From childhood kindred spirits to coming-of-age epics, to those adult friendships that you discover in the most unlikely of places, here are our top picks for your tbr…
Introducing: nb. Magazine
nb. Magazine are proud to be the editorial partner of the Nota Bene Prize 2023. nb.’s quarterly magazine, which has had a rich history of sharing book recommendations, has developed over the years into a broader library of reviews, conversations, and opinion pieces written by readers, for readers…
Nota Bene Prize Press Release
Following a rebrand, the popular and long-standing Blogger's Book Prize has been transformed into the all-new Nota Bene Prize – a literary prize that engages with the vast and valuable online community of readers and content creators…
Milk Blood Heat by Dantiel W. Moniz, Winner of the 2022 Prize
Winner of the 2022 Prize, Milk Blood Heat by Dantiel W. Moniz, reviewed by Gabriela Townes.
The Mountains Sing by Nguyen Phan Que Mai, Winner of the 2021 Prize
Winner of the 2021 Prize, When Mountains Sing by Nguyen Phan Que Mai.
Things in Jars by Jess Kidd, Winner of the 2020 Prize
Winner of the 2020 Prize, Things in Jars by Jess Kidd, reviewed by Amanda Chatterton.
A Chat With Dantiel W. Moniz on Milk Blood Heat
Winner of our 2022 prize, we sat down with Dantiel to discuss her incredible book Milk Blood Heat. A livewire debut from one of the most exciting discoveries in today’s literary landscape, we discuss motherhood, thematic imagery and of course her wonderful debut.