The 2026 Best Foreign Book Prize has narrowed its selection to nine titles, with six in fiction and three in non-fiction. Originally, twelve books were chosen in September: nine fiction and three non-fiction. Established in 1948 by a group of literary directors from publishing houses, this prize is among the oldest French awards dedicated to translated literature. Each year, it recognizes a fiction and a non-fiction book published abroad and then translated into French. Since 2011, the prize has received support from Sofitel, and its ceremony is held at the Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg. Manuel Carcassonne and Anne Freyer oversee the general secretariat of the prize, while the jury includes notable figures such as Daniel Arsand, Nathalie Crom, Gérard de Cortanze, and others. Among the fiction titles in contention is Lazar by Nelio Biedermann, translated from German by Rose Labourie and published by Belfond. Other fiction nominees include The Party by Lucy Fricke, translated from German by Isabelle Liber and published by Le Quartanier; Only One Day by Marco Lodoli, translated from Italian by Louise Boudonnat and published by P.O.L; The Remembered Soldier by Anjet Daanje, translated from Dutch by Isabelle Rosselin and published by Gallimard; Fonseca by Jessica Francis Kane, translated from English by Mona de Pracontal and published by La Table Ronde; and John, Son of John by Douglas Stuart, translated from English by Charles Bonnot and published by Globe. The non-fiction titles in the running are Pessoa. The Life-Work by Richard Zenith, translated by Nicolas Richard and published by Seuil; A Nation of Strangers by Ece Temelkuran, translated from English by Christel Gaillard-Paris and published by Stock; and The Oligarch's Son by Patrick Radden Keefe, translated from English by Anne-Sylvie Homassel and published by Belfond. In 2025, the fiction category was awarded to Carys Davies for Clarification, published by La Table Ronde in a translation by David Fauquemberg. The non-fiction prize went to Leila Guerriero for The Call, published by Rivages in a translation by Maïra Muchnik. A special prize was also given to Judith Koelemeijer for Etty Hillesum. The Story of Her Life, published by Seuil and translated by Philippe Noble and Isabelle Rosselin. The shortlisted books represent a diverse range of international voices and themes, highlighting the importance of translated literature in connecting global readers. The final winner will be announced at the upcoming ceremony, which continues to be a significant event in the French literary calendar.