New York, NY, June 22, 2026 — Hungry Minds Publishing is pleased to announce The Last Book: The Diary of the Last Earthling has been named a winner in the 15th annual IndieReader Discovery Awards. Written by lead author Jonah Howell and illustrated by Lev Kaplan, The Last Book is a cultural encyclopedia and personal journal which also won the 2025 Best Indie Book Award (BIBA), in the Coffee Table Book Illustration category, and a 2025 Page Turner Award. It follows Noah Kaplan, the last surviving Earthling, who escapes the destruction of Earth aboard a mysterious spacecraft.
“I believe this book, as a thoughtful reflection on humanity, is especially needed in these days of uncertainty and change,” said Hungry Minds co-founder Timur Kadyrov. “This award will help the book find its way to the readers who need it most, and we are deeply grateful for that support.”
The IndieReader Discovery Awards recognizes the year’s standout independent books, focusing on connecting winning authors with influential members of the publishing, media, entertainment, and literary communities. You can view all of the winners here: https://indiereader.com/irda26-winners
With over 1,000 submissions submitted across more than 50 categories, this year’s competition was the largest and most competitive award cycle in IndieReader Discovery Awards history. If you missed the ceremony, you can watch the full replay HERE.
Hungry Minds is also proud to announce the launch of The Freeman Codex - an illustrated book launched in collaboration with Pavel Muntyan, the creator of the viral animated series Mr. Freeman. The upcoming book contains references to offline artifacts, including the Noosphere Resonator, a meditative installation built in Cyprus by Muntyan. Subscribe here to receive updates on The Freeman Codex coming this summer.
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About Hungry Minds
Hungry Minds is an independent publisher and creative studio known for ambitious hand-illustrated books, collectible objects, and creative projects that ride the line between education and design. Its flagship title, The Book: The Ultimate Guide to Rebuilding Civilization, has sold more than 400,000 copies worldwide.
Media Inquiries
Danielle Reed | Director of Public Relations
E: Danielle@hungryminds.com | P: +1 678-485-5731
hungryminds.com
