The Librairie de la Rue en Pente in Bayonne, France, has introduced its first edition of the Prix du livre Pentu, a literary prize where ten of the bookstore’s customers will act as judges to choose a winning book from six selected titles. The winner will be announced on November 26, 2026, and the selection will be based on three factors: the quality of the writing, the readability of the text, and how well the book tackles social issues. The bookstore aims to highlight a book that is both challenging and easy to understand, emotionally engaging, and relevant to a wide range of readers. For this first edition, six books have been chosen, including works by well-known authors such as Philippe Jaenada, Julia Kerninon, and Lilia Hassaine, as well as emerging voices. One of the selected titles is C'était ça ou mourir by Thélyson Orélien, which has already won several awards and is seen as a standout book of the season. The other books are L'Odeur du désinfectant by Ombeline Desjonquères, Je by Lilia Hassaine, Les Quelqu'unes by Amélie Hamad, L'Inconnue du quai de Javel by Philippe Jaenada, and La Dernière des Wilberforce by Julia Kerninon. The Librairie de la Rue en Pente was founded in 1980 and underwent renovations and restructuring in 2023. Located at 29, rue Poissonnerie in Bayonne’s historic center, the bookstore is currently run by Jeanne Felices, who took over management in 2019. The team also includes Marjorie, Garance, and Juliette. The store offers a wide range of publications, including French and international literature, youth fiction, humanities, comics, fantasy, and works related to Basque culture. It also has sections focused on feminism, environmental issues, and LGBTQIA+ themes. The bookstore regularly hosts events, author meetings, and thematic book selections as part of its community engagement. These activities reflect its mission to provide a space for diverse voices and to encourage reading and discussion among its customers. The Prix du livre Pentu is the latest initiative in this effort, aiming to bring readers and authors together through a unique and inclusive selection process.