Nota Bene Prize 2026 

FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

The Nota Bene Prize celebrates fiction that leaves a lasting impression: the books readers eagerly share with friends, carry on their commutes, or ponder long after finishing. The prize seeks fiction that feels alive—original, compelling, beautifully written, and impossible to ignore.

This prize is guided by readers rather than critics. Readers’ tastes, instincts, and recommendations shape the outcome, and public participation is essential.

To choose the finalists, submitted books were assessed by the prize team alongside a pool of Notable Readers—influential figures from across the reading and book community, including content creators, booksellers, authors, critics, and other literary advocates.