The California Book Award is an annual literary award presented by the California Book Club. Established in 1931, it recognizes outstanding works of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry by authors connected to California. The awards aim to celebrate the rich literary culture of the state and encourage new voices in literature. Winners are selected by a panel of judges and are announced in various categories, including the Gold Medal for the best book in each genre. The awards highlight the contributions of California authors and promote reading and writing within the community.