Introvert Sisters authors earn four International Book Awards finalist honors

Sharon Hurley Hall and Lisa Hurley landed four finalist spots in the 2026 International Book Awards, adding to a string of shared literary recognition. The honors highlight their books on racism, rest, and Black women’s wellbeing, and extend the reach of their podcast-driven platform.

Why it matters: - The finalist nods give Sharon Hurley Hall and Lisa Hurley broader visibility for books centered on racism, burnout, rest, identity, and social change. - The recognition also strengthens The Introvert Sisters brand as the authors expand their work across books, podcasting, speaking, and live discussions. - The awards point to continued demand for books that speak directly to Black women, introverts, and readers looking for language around exhaustion and healing.

What happened: - Sharon Hurley Hall and Lisa Hurley earned four finalist honors in the 2026 International Book Awards. - The honors were announced July 8, 2026. - The sisters are co-hosts of The Introvert Sisters LIVE!, a podcast and live video series. - Hurley Hall's I’m Tired of Racism: True Stories of Existing While Black was named a finalist in Multicultural Nonfiction and Social Change. - Hurley Hall's Space To Exhale: A Handbook for Curating a Soft, Centered, Serene Life was named a finalist in Multicultural Nonfiction and Self Help. - The recognition follows their shared finalist honors in the 2025 American Writing Awards. - In 2025, Hurley Hall was recognized in Non-Fiction: Multicultural. - In 2025, Hurley was recognized in Non-Fiction: General and Best New/Début Non-Fiction.

The details: - I’m Tired of Racism was published by Lime Tree Media. - Space To Exhale was published by Wiley. - The authors said the books reflect two linked ideas: confronting racism and rejecting hustle culture. - The books also focus on what it means to live, work, heal, and tell the truth as Black women and marginalized people. - Hurley Hall said the recognition is meaningful because conversations about racism still matter. - Hurley Hall said I’m Tired of Racism was shaped by truth-telling and lived experience. - Hurley said Space To Exhale was written for people exhausted by pressure to perform, produce, and push through. - Hurley said the book’s recognition affirms that rest, softness, self-reclamation, and life-work balance are essential conversations.

Between the lines: - The awards package shows both authors building separate but complementary lanes: one rooted in anti-racism and social critique, the other in rest, ease, and personal sustainability. - Their repeated finalist status suggests the market is responding to books that combine lived experience with practical framing for readers under strain. - The pair is also positioning the books as more than literary projects, using them as entry points for broader conversations about burnout, belonging, leadership, and Black women’s wellbeing.

What's next: - Hurley Hall and Hurley said they are available for interviews, podcast appearances, book club conversations, workplace programs, keynotes, panels, and moderated discussions. - They are also expected to continue building The Introvert Sisters LIVE! platform around introversion, identity, culture, visibility, rest, racism, and meaningful change. - The authors said they want the recognition to spark more conversation, more understanding, and more action.

The bottom line: - Four finalist honors in one awards cycle give The Introvert Sisters another proof point that their work is resonating far beyond a podcast audience.