Ceremony October 5th 2026
08.09.2026
Six novels on the shortlist
© Lena Everding
The jury has shortlisted the following six novels for the German Book Prize 2026:
- Shida Bazyar: Die Lücken (Kiepenheuer & Witsch, September 2026)
- Franziska Gänsler: Orca (Kein & Aber, August 2026)
- Valeria Gordeev: Die Zikade entschlüpft ihrer goldglänzenden Hülle (S. Fischer, August 2026)
- Elias Hirschl: Schleifen (Paul Zsolnay, January 2026)
- Peggy Mädler: Selbstregulierung des Herzens (Galiani Berlin, February 2026)
- Dana Vowinckel: Anton und Alma (Suhrkamp, September 2026)
Regarding this selection, jury spokesperson Cornelia Geißler (Berliner Zeitung) states: “What lies ahead? What remains? However uncertain the present may be, it is proving to be fertile ground for great literature. The six novels on the shortlist bear witness to this. These books sharpen our view of the past. They point to political crimes and portray the struggle against them – sometimes in tentative, sometimes in daring steps. They recount individual dreams and possibilities: forging one’s own path, harnessing the laws of science, experiencing the freedom of art and exploring what it means to live together. In many unexpected ways, we read of longing, friendship, love and violence. We are thrilled by the aesthetic richness these books contain, by their sheer delight in language. And there is still reason to laugh.”
Since the submission process began, the seven members of the jury have reviewed 205 titles published between October 2025 and 8 September 2026.
The award ceremony will be broadcast live from the Kaisersaal of the Frankfurt Römer on 5 October 2026 to coincide with the start of Frankfurter Buchmesse. Those interested can watch the award ceremony via live stream at www.deutscher-buchpreis.de.
Further information on the titles including jury comments and audio samples can be found on the nominees page, image and information material under downloads.
© Lena Everding