Kate Cayley Wins 2026 Toronto Book Award for 'Property'

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Kate Cayley has been awarded the 2026 Toronto Book Award for her novel 'Property', which explores themes of family, class, and belonging in a gentrifying Toronto neighborhood.

On November 10, 2026, the City of Toronto and the Toronto Public Library proudly announced that the esteemed 2026 Toronto Book Award has been awarded to Kate Cayley for her novel, Property, published by Coach House Books. The award ceremony took place at the Toronto Reference Library, celebrating Cayley’s contribution to Canadian literature.
Set against the backdrop of a single spring day in a gentrifying neighborhood, Property delves into the lives of interconnected residents grappling with family tensions, friendships, class disparities, and a sense of belonging in a city that is continuously evolving. As the narrative unfolds, seemingly trivial encounters among the characters culminate in a tragedy that irrevocably alters the fabric of the West End neighborhood.
The jury for the 2026 Toronto Book Award characterized Property as “a novel of dazzling interiority,” commending Cayley’s adeptness at capturing the anxieties, desires, and obsessions of four families residing on a single street in Toronto. The jury praised her ability to reflect the essence of life in Toronto through a thoughtful examination of contemporary issues that resonate with the city’s populace.
Cayley’s work was selected from a competitive shortlist that included notable titles such as Cherry Beach by Don Gillmor (Biblioasis), Fatal Confession: A Girl’s Murder, a Man’s Execution, and the Fitton Case by Carolyn Strange (UBC Press), Good Guys by Sharon Bala (McClelland & Stewart), and You Started It by Jackie Khalilieh (Tundra Books). Each of these works showcases the rich literary talent present within Toronto.
As part of the recognition, Cayley will receive a prize of $20,000, while the remaining shortlisted authors will each be awarded $2,000. For those interested, residents can explore and borrow the shortlisted titles through the Toronto Public Library’s dedicated Toronto Book Awards webpage.
The Toronto Book Awards have a long-standing tradition of honoring authors whose works are inspired by the city, having been established in 1974. These awards celebrate literary excellence and aim to deepen the understanding of Toronto’s diverse communities, histories, and people.
This year’s jury consisted of a distinguished group of award-winning writers, publishing professionals, educators, and literary advocates, including author and poet Jake Byrne, novelist and non-fiction writer Kristen den Hartog, literary agent Julia Kim, anti-racism advocate and educator Matthew R. Morris, and poet, translator, and curator Bänoo Zan. Their collective expertise highlights the commitment to recognizing literary talent within the city.
The Toronto Book Awards are part of the City’s broader initiative to support creativity and culture through Culture Connects, a 10-year action plan aimed at nurturing cultural vitality in Toronto. By acknowledging and investing in authors whose work reflects Toronto, the awards elevate local voices, endorse literary excellence, and facilitate readers’ discovery of stories that mirror the city’s rich tapestry of communities and experiences.
City Librarian and CEO of the Toronto Public Library, Moe Hosseini-Ara, expressed his congratulations to Cayley, stating, “This award celebrates the outstanding literary talent that helps define Toronto’s cultural landscape and brings our city’s stories to life. We are proud to recognize all of this year’s shortlisted authors and their remarkable contributions to Canadian literature. I hope readers across Toronto will pick up these books and come away inspired by their creativity, insight, and range of perspectives.”

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