Executive Overview
The National Book Foundation, in partnership with The New Yorker, has formally unveiled the longlists for the 77th National Book Awards. Spanning five core categories—Nonfiction, Poetry, Translated Literature, Young People’s Literature, and Fiction—the 2026 longlists represent a broad cross-section of contemporary literary achievement. This year’s selections are characterized by a pronounced focus on political memory, ecological fragility, historical trauma, and systemic critique, alongside an impressive showing by independent publishing houses alongside major corporate conglomerates.
A defining characteristic of the 2026 longlists is the prominent inclusion of emerging literary voices alongside established masters. In the Nonfiction category, nine of the ten longlisted authors are first-time National Book Award nominees, reflecting a significant shift toward new investigative perspectives and personal memoirs of political awakening. Conversely, the Poetry longlist features a blend of celebrated veterans—including four previously recognized authors—and groundbreaking new voices engaging deeply with eco-poetics and cultural survival.
The Translated Literature longlist marks a historical milestone for the National Book Foundation with the inclusion of Intan Paramaditha’s Night of a Thousand Hells, translated from the Indonesian by Stephen Epstein and Tiffany Tsao—the first time a work translated from Indonesian has been honored in the award’s history. Meanwhile, the Young People’s Literature selections highlight verse novels, graphic non-fiction, historical accounts of social crisis, and speculative fiction addressing complex socio-political realities for younger readers.
Read Also
Together, these nominations underscore a cultural moment in which literature increasingly grapples with the fallout of ideological violence, environmental crisis, institutional surveillance, and the search for personal and collective autonomy.
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| 77th NATIONAL BOOK AWARDS: LONGLIST HIGHLIGHTS |
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| Nonfiction | High representation of first-time nominees (90%); |
| | Focus on radical activism, surveillance, identity. |
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| Poetry | Eco-poetics, indigenous perspectives, and memory; |
| | Mix of 4 previous honorees and breakthrough poets. |
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| Translated Literature | 7 languages represented; Historic first nomination for |
| | Indonesian literature; Strong European/Asian presence. |
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| Young People’s Literature| Rich genre diversity (verse, gothic, biography); |
| | Focus on historical activism, art, and youth agency. |
+--------------------------+--------------------------------------------------------+Detailed Chronology
Nonfiction: Political Reckonings, Memoirs of Dissent, and Structural Critique
The Nonfiction longlist captures an array of works examining the intersections of personal life and institutional power. The category highlights narratives that interrogate state security, radical movements of the late 20th century, incarceration, and linguistic identity.
- Zayd Ayers Dohrn, Dangerous, Dirty, Violent, and Young (Crown / Penguin Random House)
Excerpted in The New Yorker, Dohrn’s memoir offers an insider look into the Weather Underground through the lens of his childhood. The son of radical activists Bernardine Dohrn and Bill Ayers, Dohrn explores the tensions between his parents’ radical solidarity with the Black freedom movement and the factional violence that ultimately compromised their cause. - Rozina Ali, Seasons of Fury (Metropolitan Books / Henry Holt & Co.)
Also excerpted in The New Yorker, Ali’s journalistic work examines the post-9/11 expansion of the American national security apparatus through the intimate histories of four Muslim American families, analyzing the domestic impact of foreign policy and institutional surveillance. - Abdelrahman ElGendy, Huna: A Memoir of Revolution, Prison, and Becoming (Hogarth / Penguin Random House)
An account of youth political engagement during the Egyptian revolution, detailing the author’s imprisonment and subsequent intellectual and personal transformation within the prison system. - Camonghne Felix, Let the Poets Govern: A Declaration of Freedom (One World / Penguin Random House)
Felix—previously longlisted for the National Book Award in Poetry in 2019—delivers a genre-defying collection of essays arguing for the role of radical poetic imagination in restructuring political governance and liberation movements. - Sara Nović, Mother Tongue (Random House / Penguin Random House)
A memoir interrogating language, body autonomy, and Deaf culture, charting the author’s navigation of linguistic heritage, motherhood, and political identity. - Wendy S. Walters, A Dead White: An Argument Against White Paint (Scribner / Simon & Schuster)
A cultural critique and philosophical investigation into aesthetics, race, architecture, and the hidden histories embedded in material culture.
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| NONFICTION LONGLIST NOMINEES |
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| Author | Book Title | Publisher |
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| Zayd Ayers Dohrn | Dangerous, Dirty, Violent... | Crown / PRH |
| Rozina Ali | Seasons of Fury | Metropolitan / Holt |
| Abdelrahman ElGendy | Huna: A Memoir of Revolution... | Hogarth / PRH |
| Camonghne Felix | Let the Poets Govern | One World / PRH |
| Sara Nović | Mother Tongue | Random House / PRH |
| Wendy S. Walters | A Dead White | Scribner / S&S |
+-----------------------+----------------------------------+-------------------------+Poetry: Eco-Poetics, Historical Trauma, and Linguistic Innovation
The Poetry longlist emphasizes the relationship between language, landscape, and memory. Several longlisted collections meditate on environmental devastation, climate chaos, and the endurance of Indigenous and marginalized communities.
- Brenda Hillman, Still House in the Desert (Wesleyan University Press)
Featuring poems previously published in The New Yorker such as "1970" and "The Carbon Atoms of Saved Things," Hillman’s collection reflects on impermanence, grief, and ecological loss in the American West. - Victoria Chang, Tree of Knowledge (Farrar, Straus and Giroux / Macmillan Publishers)
Chang builds upon her previous investigations into grief, art, and memory, using inventive structural forms to question epistemology and inherited family trauma. - Carolina Ebeid, Hide (Graywolf Press)
A collection exploring vulnerability, physical containment, and the subtle mechanics of surveillance and exposure. - Richie Hofmann, The Bronze Arms (Knopf / Penguin Random House)
An examination of classical art, queer desire, and the enduring influence of European material culture. - Layli Long Soldier, We (Graywolf Press)
Following her acclaimed debut WHEREAS, Long Soldier returns with a rigorous interrogation of treaty rights, Indigenous sovereignty, and the communal body. - Jonah Mixon-Webster, Promise/Threat (Knopf / Penguin Random House)
A visceral critique of environmental racism, state violence, and Black survival in the American Midwest. - Jake Rose, JOAN (University of Chicago Press)
A poetic re-examination of Joan of Arc, intersecting historical myth with modern queer identity and devotional fervor. - Jake Skeets, Horses (Milkweed Editions)
Skeets explores Diné landscape, erosion, masculinity, and modern Indigenous existence through sparse, resonant lyricism. - Susan Stewart, Bramble (University of Chicago Press)
A philosophical exploration of botany, classical forms, and the quiet dynamics of the natural world.
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| POETRY LONGLIST NOMINEES |
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| Author | Book Title | Publisher |
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| Brenda Hillman | Still House in the Desert | Wesleyan Univ. Press |
| Victoria Chang | Tree of Knowledge | FSG / Macmillan |
| Carolina Ebeid | Hide | Graywolf Press |
| Richie Hofmann | The Bronze Arms | Knopf / PRH |
| Layli Long Soldier | We | Graywolf Press |
| Jonah Mixon-Webster | Promise/Threat | Knopf / PRH |
| Jake Rose | JOAN | Univ. of Chicago Press |
| Jake Skeets | Horses | Milkweed Editions |
| Susan Stewart | Bramble | Univ. of Chicago Press |
+-----------------------+----------------------------------+-------------------------+Translated Literature: Global Voices across Seven Languages
The Translated Literature longlist spans seven languages—Arabic, Chinese, French, Indonesian, Norwegian, Russian, and Spanish—reflecting complex global narratives ranging from political thrillers to existential family sagas.
- Karl Ove Knausgaard, The School of Night (Penguin Press)
Translated from the Norwegian by Martin Aitken.
The fourth installment in Knausgaard’s "Morning Star" series, written during the COVID-19 pandemic, exploring art, Faustian bargains, and existential dread. - Intan Paramaditha, Night of a Thousand Hells (Europa Editions)
Translated from the Indonesian by Stephen Epstein and Tiffany Tsao.
A milestone entry representing the first Indonesian work longlisted for the award, centering on a young woman who carries out a suicide bombing and the devastating aftermath on her surviving family. - Egana Djabbarova, My Dreadful Body (New Vessel Press)
Translated from the Russian by Lisa C. Hayden.
A poetic prose exploration of illness, bodily autonomy, and identity amidst contemporary post-Soviet displacement. - Álvaro Enrigue, Now I Surrender (Riverhead Books / Penguin Random House)
Translated from the Spanish by Natasha Wimmer.
A reimagining of the late-19th-century Apache Wars along the U.S.-Mexico border, blending historical fiction, archival research, and meta-narrative commentary. - Karim Kattan, Eden at Dawn (Restless Books)
Translated from the French by Jeffrey Zuckerman.
A lyrical exploration of queer love, memory, and exile against the backdrop of contemporary Palestine. - Ping Lu, To the East of the East (World Editions)
Translated from the Chinese by Jeremy Tiang.
A historical saga tracing Taiwan’s post-war identity through complex political exile and family lineage. - Vicente Luis Mora, Centroeuropa (Bellevue Literary Press)
Translated from the Spanish by Rahul Bery.
A haunting historical novel set in 19th-century Prussia, examining war, environmental modification, and European identity. - Mohamed Mbougar Sarr, Pure Men (Other Press)
Translated from the French by Lara Vergnaud.
A provocative exploration of homophobia, religious hypocrisy, and intellectual courage in modern Senegal. - Maria Stepanova, The Disappearing Act (New Directions Publishing)
Translated from the Russian by Sasha Dugdale.
A philosophical investigation into the nature of absence, historical loss, and cultural memory.
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| TRANSLATED LITERATURE LONGLIST NOMINEES |
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| Author | Book Title | Language | Publisher |
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| Karl Ove Knausgaard | The School of Night | Norwegian | Penguin Press |
| Intan Paramaditha | Night of a Thousand Hells| Indonesian | Europa Editions |
| Egana Djabbarova | My Dreadful Body | Russian | New Vessel Press |
| Álvaro Enrigue | Now I Surrender | Spanish | Riverhead / PRH |
| Karim Kattan | Eden at Dawn | French | Restless Books |
| Ping Lu | To the East of the East | Chinese | World Editions |
| Vicente Luis Mora | Centroeuropa | Spanish | Bellevue Literary|
| Mohamed Mbougar Sarr | Pure Men | French | Other Press |
| Maria Stepanova | The Disappearing Act | Russian | New Directions |
+------------------------+--------------------------+-------------+------------------+Young People’s Literature: History, Art, and Youth Activism
The Young People’s Literature longlist spans picture books, middle-grade fiction, novels in verse, and non-fiction accounts of historical social struggles.
- David Levithan and Gabriel Duckels, The Fight of Our Lives: AIDS in America (Knopf Books for Young Readers)
A historical accounting of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States, detailing community organizing, public health failures, and LGBTQ+ activism. - Chanel Miller, The Moon Without Stars (Philomel Books)
An illustrated work exploring recovery, artistic empowerment, and personal resilience following trauma. - Elana K. Arnold, Holloway (Clarion Books / HarperCollins)
A novel navigating psychological isolation, nature, and adolescent survival. - Delali Adjoa, The Free Verse Society (Peachtree Teen)
A novel in verse following a group of young women who form a underground poetry club to confront institutional strictures. - Keala Kendall, That Which Feeds Us: A Hawaiian Gothic (Random House Books for Young Readers)
A atmospheric young adult novel merging Hawaiian folklore, environmental horror, and colonial critique. - Eric Darnell Pritchard, Clothes to Make You Smile: Patrick Kelly Designs His Dreams (Abrams Books for Young Readers)
A picture book biography of revolutionary Black fashion designer Patrick Kelly, highlighting creativity and triumph over racial barriers. - T. A. Chan, The Celestial Seas (Viking Books for Young Readers)
An epic fantasy blending Asian mythology with seafaring adventure. - Tae Keller, When Tomorrow Burns (Random House Books for Young Readers)
A speculative novel examining climate panic and familial love in a changing world. - Julian Randall, Shook (Henry Holt and Company BYR)
A middle-grade supernatural adventure grounded in Afro-Latino folklore and coming-of-age grief. - Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr, Life on the Moon (Knopf Books for Young Readers)
An illustrated middle-grade novel exploring imagination, family relocations, and growing up.
Supporting Context & Metrics
An analysis of publisher distribution across the longlists reveals an intriguing dynamic between publishing conglomerates and independent houses. While Penguin Random House continues to maintain a significant presence across all categories—accounting for a substantial share of total nominations—independent presses remain essential incubators for poetry and translated fiction.
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| PUBLISHER REPRESENTATION ACROSS 2026 LONGLISTS |
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| Publishing Group | Longlisted Titles Count |
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| Penguin Random House (Imprints combined) | 12 |
| Independent Presses (Graywolf, Milkweed, etc.)| 11 |
| Macmillan Publishers | 3 |
| University Presses (Chicago, Wesleyan) | 3 |
| Simon & Schuster | 1 |
| HarperCollins | 1 |
+-----------------------------------------------+------------------------------------+Key Statistical Trends
- Linguistic Diversity: The Translated Literature list features seven distinct source languages, highlighting growing editorial investment in Southeast Asian and post-Soviet literature alongside established Western European traditions.
- First-Time Nominees: 90% of the Nonfiction nominees are recognized by the National Book Foundation for the first time, reflecting a significant turnover in narrative non-fiction leadership.
- Genre Blending: Over 30% of longlisted titles across Poetry and Young People’s Literature incorporate non-traditional storytelling models, including novels in verse, graphic biographies, and archival-prose hybrids.
Official Statements & Institutional Framework
The selection of the 2026 longlists was conducted by five independent, five-member judging panels composed of writers, critics, booksellers, and literary advocates. Each panel was tasked with reading hundreds of submissions to construct lists that reflect narrative rigor, aesthetic innovation, and cultural impact.
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| 77th NATIONAL BOOK AWARDS JUDGING PANELS |
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| Category | Chair | Notable Panel Members |
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| Nonfiction | Robert Warrior | Eve L. Ewing, |
| | | Lidia Yuknavitch |
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| Poetry | Aracelis Girmay | Roger Reeves, |
| | | Rosanna Warren |
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| Translated Literature | Christopher Merrill | John Keene, |
| | | Azareen Van der Vliet |
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| Young People's Lit. | Brandy Colbert | Jarrett J. Krosoczka, |
| | | Anne Ursu |
+-------------------------+-------------------------------+--------------------------+Judging Panel Dynamics
- Nonfiction Panel: Chaired by Indigenous studies scholar and author Robert Warrior, the panel emphasized works that critique structural power, examine historical memory, and reframe contemporary political discourse.
- Poetry Panel: Chaired by poet Aracelis Girmay, the panel prioritized collections demonstrating formal risk, ecological urgency, and profound linguistic precision.
- Translated Literature Panel: Led by Christopher Merrill, the panel evaluated translated texts based on the fidelity of translated voice, narrative resonance, and the introduction of critical international perspectives to English-speaking audiences.
- Young People’s Literature Panel: Chaired by YA author Brandy Colbert, the panel sought works that refrain from patronizing young readers, prioritizing authentic treatments of historical trauma, identity development, and speculative wonder.
Future Outlook
The announcement of the longlists initiates the final phase of the National Book Awards calendar. The selection process will narrow these ten-book longlists down to five finalists per category, setting the stage for the annual celebration of American literary culture.
Key Key Dates in the 2026 Awards Cycle
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| NATIONAL BOOK AWARDS 2026 TIMELINE |
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| Date | Event / Milestone |
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| September 2026 | Longlist Announcements (Five Categories) |
| October 2026 | Finalists (Shortlist) Announced |
| November 2026 | National Book Awards Ceremony & Benefit Dinner |
+-----------------------------------+------------------------------------------------+The longlist nominations provide an immediate commercial and critical boost to the selected titles, particularly those published by independent presses or translated from non-European languages. As readers, academic institutions, and libraries engage with the nominated works, the 77th National Book Awards longlists serve as a definitive snapshot of contemporary literary priorities—affirming the power of the written word to analyze historical trauma, document ecological change, and articulate new forms of human freedom.
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