Bhavini Bhargava’s Unheard Crowned Readers’ Book of the Year at the 2025 The World’s Best Book Awards

The winners of the 2025 The World's Best Book Awards have been announced, with India-born, Melbourne-based Deakin University student and athlete Bhavini Bhargava taking home the top honour. Her acclaimed collection Unheard was named Readers' Book of the Year, earning over 9,000 global public votes. The title also received a Book of Excellence award earlier in the year, marking a rare double win that highlights the book's literary merit and wide-reaching resonance.

Organised by The World's Best Magazine, a South Australian publication, the awards recognise outstanding literary contributions across multiple genres and formats. This year's selection emphasized originality, emotional impact, and global significance.

"The recognition of Unheard reflects a strong public appetite for poetry that speaks directly to lived experience," said a spokesperson for the magazine. "It's a deeply human collection—sensitive, bold, and unafraid of silence."

Poetry in the Spotlight

Bhargava's Unheard was praised for its evocative exploration of youth, memory, and voice. In a literary landscape often dominated by prose, its widespread acclaim suggests a resurgence of interest in poetry that is personal yet socially attuned.

The collection had already drawn attention earlier this year when it was named a Book of Excellence—an accolade determined by a panel of editors and literary experts. Its win in the public category cements its place as one of the standout works of 2025.

Other Notable Titles

While Unheard took top honours, several other books received recognition across various categories. Among them was Young Anastrina and Companions by Luminescence Goh, a title that appeared in the Book of Excellence roster and was noted for its imaginative scope and narrative complexity.

A full list of winners is available via The World's Best Magazine.

Award Mission

The World's Best Book Awards are part of a broader initiative to elevate literature that challenges, comforts, and connects. By combining expert curation with public input, the awards aim to bridge the critical and popular spheres of literary appreciation.

In addition to badges and promotional support, winning authors receive coverage in both print and digital editions of the magazine. The Readers' Book of the Year recipient is also eligible for a future cover feature—providing a platform to reach new audiences worldwide.

Looking Ahead

As arts and publishing continue to evolve in the digital era, the 2025 awards serve as a reminder that books—especially those that risk emotional honesty—still matter. For Bhargava and her readers, Unheard has become more than a collection of poems; it's a shared space of reflection and recognition.

For more details about the awards, visit the official page of The World's Best Book Awards.