From love stories to dark tales of identity and power, in this article you will find some titles that may end up on your reading list.
Following the announcement of the 13-book shortlist in February, the 2026 International Booker Prize has now selected the 6 finalists who will compete for the main prize. The winner will be announced on 19 May.
This award recognizes the best works of literature translated into English. The £50,000 prize is shared between the author and the translator, while the finalists receive £5,000 each.
These are the 6 finalist books for 2026:
“Taiwan Travelogue” – Yáng Shu?ng-z?
Translated from Mandarin (Chinese) by Lin King
A love story between two women, intertwined with reflections on language, history, and power.
“The Witch” – Marie NDiaye
Translated from the French by Jordan Stump
A story about an "ordinary witch" who tries to pass on her powers to her daughters, but we realize that they are much more powerful than she is.
“On Earth As It Is Beneath” – Ana Paula Maia
Translated from Portuguese by Padma Viswanathan
A dark and disturbing novel that follows a group of isolated men whose relationships begin to fall apart.
“The Director” – Daniel Kehlmann
Translated from the German by Ross Benjamin
A story about the life of an artist and a deal with the devil, exploring the dangerous illusions of the world of cinema.
“She Who Remains” – Rene Karabash
Translated from the Bulgarian by Izidora Angel
A poetic and dark novel that deals with identity, gender, love and freedom.
“The Nights Are Quiet in Tehran” – Shida Bazyar
Translated from the German by Ruth Martin
A family story that spans four decades, from 1979 to 2009, between leaving and returning to Iran.
The winners will be announced on May 19th, but until then, this is the list to keep in mind if you're looking for something to read.
