Book Awards finalists read on awards eve.

The 2026 National Book Awards Finalist Reading brings together finalists in Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Translated Literature, and Young People's Literature to read excerpts from their honored works. Hosted by Traci Thomas, creator and host of the literary podcast The Stacks, the evening takes place the night before the National Book Awards Ceremony. It is presented in partnership with the National Book Foundation and the NYU Creative Writing Program, both in person at NYU Skirball and via livestream. Doors open at 6:30pm, and the program begins at 7:00pm EST.