2026 Booker Prize Longlist Features Diverse Genres and Celebrated Authors

The 2026 Booker Prize longlist, revealed on Tuesday, highlights a diverse collection of 13 books spanning various genres like thrillers, dystopian sci-fi, and love stories. The list includes past winners Douglas Stuart, who previously won in 2020, and Marlon James, the 2015 winner. Elizabeth Strout, a three-time nominee, is recognized for her newest work, The Things We Never Say.

Three debut authors also join the prestigious list this year. Chair of the 2026 Booker Prize judges, Mary Beard, remarked that each author’s writing transforms perspectives, offering fresh angles and new experiences through the power of words.

The Booker Prize celebrates authors of books published in English in the U.K. and Ireland between October 1 and September 30 annually. David Szalay received the 2025 prize for Flesh. Authors who make the shortlist will each earn £2,500, translating to about $3,300. The winner, announced on November 9 in a London ceremony, will receive £50,000, approximately $66,000.

Here is the complete longlist for the 2026 Booker Prize:

• The Shadow of the Object, Chloe Aridjis
• Switzy, Emma Cline
• Helen of Nowhere, Makenna Goodman
• The End of Everything, M. John Harrison
• The Disappearers, Marlon James
• Black Bag, Luke Kennard
• The Renovation, Kenan Orhan
• May We Feed the King, Rebecca Perry
• The Palm House, Gwendoline Riley
• The Things We Never Say, Elizabeth Strout
• John of John, Douglas Stuart
• All Them Dogs, Djamel White
• The Vivisectors, Missouri Williams