The jury for the German Book Prize 2026 has nominated 20 novels. Since the call for submissions went out, the jury has reviewed 205 titles published between October 2025 and September 2026. As the official English-language media partner, we are delighted to publish the list of nominated books.
The nominated novels are (in alphabetic order):
· Shida Bazyar: Die Lücken (Verlag Kiepenheuer & Witsch, September 2026)
Read a sample translation by Ruth Martin here.
· Helene Bukowski: Wer möchte nicht im Leben bleiben (claassen Verlag, February 2026) – also an NBG jury choice, see here.
· Miriam Carbe: Unerwünschte Töchter (Carl Hanser Verlag, May 2026) – also an NBG jury choice, see here
Read a sample translation by Katy Derbyshire here.
• Muri Darida: King Cobra (dtv, March 2026)
Read a sample translation by Sharon Howe here.
• Alisha Gamisch: Parasiti (Verlag Voland & Quist, March 2026)
Read a sample translation by Katy Derbyshire here.
• Franziska Gänsler: Orca (Kein & Aber, August 2026) – – also an NBG jury choice, with our recommendation coming in early September
• Tomer Gardi: Liefern (Tropen Verlag, February 2026) – also an NBG jury choice, with our recommendation coming in early September
• Valeria Gordeev: Die Zikade entschlüpft ihrer goldglänzenden Hülle (S. Fischer Verlag, August 2026)
Read a sample translation by Imogen Taylor here.
• Elias Hirschl: Schleifen (Paul Zsolnay Verlag, January 2026) – also an NBG jury choice, see here.
Read a sample translation by Jamie Bulloch here.
• Svenja Leiber: Nelka (Suhrkamp Verlag, February 2026) – also an NBG jury choice, see here.
Read a sample translation by Joel Scott here.
• Leh-Wei Liao: Glaszeit (Luchterhand Literaturverlag, August 2026)
Read a sample translation by Jo Heinrich here.
• Peggy Mädler: Selbstregulierung des Herzens (Verlag Galiani Berlin, February 2026)
Read a sample translation by Jamie Lee Searle here.
• Giuliano Musio: Aus anderem Holz (Luftschacht Verlag, September 2026)
Read a sample translation here.
• Yade Yasemin Önder: Anti Müller (park x ullstein, February 2026)
• Lukas Rietzschel: Sanditz (dtv, March 2026)
• Ingo Schulze: Das Wasser im August (S. Fischer Verlag, August 2026) – – also an NBG jury choice, with our recommendation coming in early September
• Heinz Strunk: Memories of Heidelberg (Rowohlt Verlag, July 2026)
• Karosh Taha: Gulistan (DuMont Buchverlag, August 2026) – – also an NBG jury choice, with our recommendation coming in early September
Read a sample translation by Jamie Lee Searle here.
• Lilli Tollkien: Mit beiden Händen den Himmel stützen (Aufbau Verlage, March 2026) – also an NBG jury choice, see here.
Read a sample translation by Jamie Lee Searle here.
• Dana Vowinckel: Anton und Alma (Suhrkamp Verlag, September 2026)
Read a sample translation by Charlotte Collins here.
Jury spokesperson Cornelia Geißler (Berliner Zeitung) released the following statement:
‘Exploring the past in order to understand the present – our 2026 selection of novels reflects this in many different ways. The books we selected range from fragmentary works of compelling complexity to sweeping, engrossing narratives spanning long periods of time. We are particularly impressed by the striking and illuminating ways in which biographical multilingualism culminates in literary richness. With stylistic assurance, innovation and, indeed, wit, the authors reveal the vulnerability of their characters and accompany them as they set out towards a different future. How can we find our bearings in a world where uncertainty is spreading? We are convinced that reading helps. These are the books to turn to.’
The Jury for 2025 – Theresa Donner (‘heiter bis wolkig’ bookshop, Halle an der Saale), Jan Ehlert (NDR), Maha El Hissy (independent critic), Emily Grunert (Literaturbüro NRW), Stefanie Kreuzer (University of Kassel) and Adam Soboczynski (DIE ZEIT). Photo © Anne-Mette Noack
About the prize
The German Book Prize is presented to the best German-language novel just before the start of the Frankfurt Book Fair as an annual award from the Stiftung Buchkultur und Leseförderung des Börsenvereins des Deutschen Buchhandels – the Foundation for Book Culture and the Promotion of Reading of the German Publishers and Booksellers Association. The Prize is intended to draw attention beyond national borders to authors writing in German, to reading and to the keynote medium of the book. Publishing companies can apply for the award by direct nomination of their titles. Unusually, titles still in production when applications are first invited can also be included in the selection process. Furthermore, the German Book Prize represents the guarantee of independent and competent prize judgement: the seven jurors will personally assess all the books that are submitted and that meet the criteria for consideration.
Prize money and presentation ceremony
The German Book Prize is worth a total of 37,500 euros. The winner receives 25,000 euros, the other five shortlisted authors receive 2,500 euros each. The German Book Prize 2026 will be presented in the Kaisersaal at Frankfurt’s Römer on the evening of 5 October – a first event marking the start of the Frankfurt Book Fair. The six authors will not find out which of them is to receive the German Book Prize until the evening of the official presentation.
Learn more
Read our interview with Gunvor Schmidt from the German Publishers and Booksellers Association
