The National Book Foundation has announced the 25 Finalists for the 2026 National Book Awards across five categories: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Translated Literature, and Young People’s Literature. The names were revealed today in collaboration with the New York Times. Each category features five Finalists selected by a panel of judges from the Longlists published in September with The New Yorker. The winners will be announced during the 77th National Book Awards Ceremony & Benefit Dinner scheduled for November 18, 2026.
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Among the Finalists are 14 authors and translators who have been previously recognized by the National Book Foundation. Notable past honorees include translator Martin Aitken, who was a 2018 Finalist, and Edwidge Danticat, a two-time Finalist, once for Fiction in 1995 and again for Nonfiction in 2007. Seven independent publishers and two university presses are represented among the Finalists.
David Steinberger, Chair of the Board of Directors of the National Book Foundation, expressed gratitude to the judges, who read nearly 2,000 books this year to select the Finalists. He emphasized the importance of the National Book Awards for connecting readers with literature, authors, and each other. Ruth Dickey, the Foundation’s Executive Director, highlighted the opportunity for readers to engage with diverse narratives.
The Finalists will participate in a reading event at the National Book Awards Finalist Reading on November 17 at NYU Skirball, hosted by Traci Thomas of The Stacks podcast. An additional event, Teens Read the 2026 National Book Awards, will occur that morning at Symphony Space for middle and high school students.
The ceremony will also honor Salman Rushdie with the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters and Perri Klass with the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community.
This year, publishers submitted a total of 1,912 books for consideration, including 451 in Fiction and 727 in Nonfiction. The National Book Awards seek to foster educational programming that connects readers throughout the United States. For detailed information regarding the awards and events, visit nationalbook.org.