2026 Booker Prize Winner Predictions

It’s time for our panel to make our predictions for this year’s winner. Read on to find out what our panelists think of each shortlist book’s chances and find out which book we predict will take home the prize.

Jen: I read all 6 books on the shortlist and overall I enjoyed reading the longlist. I value books that are ambitious and often unconventional (e.g., push narrative and structural boundaries). Writing is important to me. If a book is beautifully written and highly lyrical, it can pull my ratings up even when the plot is light or non-existent. I don’t need a linear, fast moving plot. Novels need stimulate my thinking. So with all that said, these are my thoughts on the shortlist books:

• The End of Everything
  • Why it could win: I loved this book. The writing is dazzling and Harrison creates an atmosphere that is both unsettling and sometimes strangely beautiful. It also grapples with enormous questions about memory, aging, artificial intelligence, and the changing nature of our world. It’s intellectually challenging and wholly creative.
  • Why it might not win: It might be too obscure for readers.
• The Disappearers
  • Why it could win: It’s simply put a masterpiece. James won the Booker before and I think this book might be even better. It has both a heavy plot and intellectual substance. The New York Times called it the novel of the century.
  • Why it might not win: It might be too violent and graphic for readers. That didn’t stop him from winning before, but this novel is even more explicit. It’s a very hard book to read. Also, this year’s panel of judges seem to be pushing less conventional narrative styles.
• Black Bag
  • Why it could win: I don’t think it will win but it is unconventional, funny, and quite original.
  • Why it might not win: I simply don’t think it’s as strong as the other books on the list. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would but I don’t think this will be the winner.
• May we Feed the King
  • Why it could win: I can’t overstate how beautifully written this book is. It’s also very creative and very clever. What initially seems like an unusual exploration of food and staging became something emotionally resonating and complex.
  • Why it might not win: I don’t think it has the sort of impact the other books on the list do. I loved it and a big part of it was my love for the lyrical writing but I’m not sure how much of an impact it will have on me long-term.
• The Things we Never Say
  • Why it could win: I liked it. I read it before the longlist was announced and it was probably one of my top rated book until I read the other longlist books. Booker judges love Strout. Like other Strout novels, it captures complexities of ordinary human relationships. She is a master of characterization.
  • Why it might not win: This is like the milk and toast book on the list (for me). It’s bland and while I loved it at the time, I have mostly forgotten about it. It doesn’t really push any boundaries.
• John of John
  • Why it could win: Stuart is another Booker favorite and this book is exceptionally well-written. The emotional tension is handled with his characteristic restraint and it does tackle some interesting questions.
  • Why it might not win: Along with The Things we Never say, it’s a pretty conventional book in terms of writing, narrative structure, and plot. It’s a strong book, but just not that exciting compared to some of its competitors.

The book I want to see win: The Disappearers

The book I think will win: The Disappearers.

Tracy: What a year for the Booker! I’m glad I’m not a judge. Not that I am above criticism about their choices. I love a good story. It doesn’t have to be linear, make a lot of sense, or end wrapped in a bow. If it’s told well, moves me, makes a statement, has depth, and keeps my interest, I’m invested. Three of the authors on the shortlist are must read authors for me (James, Strout and Stuart- I’ve read their entire catalogs). So I really feel this is a strong shortlist.

• The End of Everything
  • Why it could win: This is sci-fi. Since a horror novel won the Pulitzer, could there be recognition for genre fiction?
  • Why it might not win: It’s sci-fi.
• The Disappearers
  • Why it could win: This is a book about a time that hasn’t really passed. It’s so well written. Every word is placed perfectly, the story, pacing, messages, everything is just perfect.
  • Why it might not win: There’s a lot of violence.
• Black Bag
  • Why it could win: This is the book that Flesh by Szalay wishes it could be. It is a tongue in cheek poke at toxic masculinity, and I really liked it.
  • Why it might not win: Toxic masculinity won last year.
• May we Feed the King
  • Why it could win: This is a unique book in its premise and its points of view. The prose was stunning.
  • Why it might not win: It’s up against the Disappearers.
• The Things we Never Say
  • Why it could win: Elizabeth Strout captured a big part of the US sentiment perfectly here.
  • Why it might not win: As much as I love Strout, and this book, it’s too US specific.
• John of John
  • Why it could win: This is a stunning book. Stuart is a must read author for me, and this is just so good at capturing family dynamics and the pursuit of love.
  • Why it might not win: It’s against the Disappearers.

The book I want to see win: The Disappearers

The book I think will win The Disappearers

Lisa:

• The End of Everything
  • Why it could win: The writing is creative and non-linear…
  • Why it might not win… and hard to follow and strangely not satisfying to me.
• The Disappearers
  • Why it could win: It is the clear favorite. I understand it packs a heavy punch.
  • Why it might not win: I think it will win, but I couldn’t get past the first 100 pages. One hundred pages in, and the terrible thing that I knew was coming still had not arrived.
• Black Bag
  • Why it could win: It has an original premise.
  • Why it might not win: I’m quite sure it is not as weighty as The Disappearers.
• May we Feed the King
  • Why it could win: Beautifully written, and a thoughtful meditation on what we can and cannot know about the past.
  • Why it might not win: That theme is not original, although the framing of that theme — by focusing on a person who physically recreates the past — is original.
• The Things we Never Say
  • Why it could win: Booker loves Elizabeth Strout
  • Why it might not win: As we’ve said, it is certainly not her best book, although an enjoyable read. Some of the characters — e.g. the narrator’s wife — were never fully fleshed out.
• John of John. — This one is hard for me to comment on. I did not read it because it sounded very depressing.
  • Why it could win:
  • Why it might not win: Like the Disappearers, I’m guessing it is an emotional heavy-hitter.

The book I want to see win: My favorite – May we Feed the King.

The book I think will win: The Disappearers

Anita:

• The End of Everything
  • Why it could win: In many ways it most speaks to our current times.
  • Why it might not win: It’s hard to interpret and really may need multiple read throughs to fully appreciate.
• The Disappearers
  • Why it could win: Epic quality to the writing that is pretty awe inspiring.
  • Why it might not win: Some readers will find it overwritten, and it’s very violent and graphic
• Black Bag
  • Why it could win: Super funny!
  • Why it might not win: Too funny to be taken seriously. Some people disliked the ending, but I wasn’t one of them.
• May we Feed the King
  • Why it could win: Succinct crisp writing that still leaves room for the reader. Very accessible with gorgeous writing.
  • Why it might not win: It’s a debut novel, so maybe the judges won’t want to give it the big prize right out of the gate.
• The Things we Never Say
  • Why it could win: Strout always gets the small details right which is what makes her so compelling.
  • Why it might not win: It’s not subtle politically and doesn’t feel especially fresh or original.
• John of John
  • Why it could win: It seems to be the popular favorite so if the judges align with typical readers, then it has a real shot.
  • Why it might not win: Not really a wow on any particular front – plot, character, wit, originality, theme; just solid all around

The book I want to see win: May We Feed the King

The book I think will win: The End of Everything (though I really have a hard time saying this because The Disappearers is the one I think will stand the test of time and arguably deserves to win).

Andrew:

• The End of Everything
  • Why it could win: Because the judges clearly had a vibe for the books this year, and this one fits it perfectly. Weirdly ethereal, no real plot, vague musings on the meaning of life and the bleakness of the future.
  • Why it might not win: Um… because of all of the above? For those readers (like me) that enjoy things like interesting characters, plot development, and a narrative direction this book was borderline unreadable.
• The Disappearers
  • Why it could win: This book received raves from everyone on the panel and it is excellent. I cannot think of a reason this won’t be a strong contender.
  • Why it might not win: It’s too long? Too violent?
• The Things we Never Say
  • Why it could win: Of the books I read, it is by far the most straight forward, “traditional” novel. And it’s a good read, if not particularly ingenious.
  • Why it might not win: Given the other selections, this seems way too conventional for this year.

The book I want to see win: The Disappearers is an epic novel that really has it all. Tragedy, comedy, engaging characters, revenge… The only drawback is that it’s painfully long for slow readers such as myself and very graphic and depressing at times.

The book I think will win: The Disappearers. Granted I only read four of the books, but it was head and shoulders above the rest.

We want to hear from you! Which book do you think will win the prize. Which book do you want to win?