The shortlist has been selected for the 2026 Carol Shields Prize for Fiction, which honors "exceptional writing by women and non-binary authors working in the U.S. and Canada" and is sponsored by BMO (Bank of Montreal). The winner, who will be announced June 2 in Toronto, will receive US$150,000 and a five-night stay at Fogo Island Inn; the four finalists each receive US$12,500.
The shortlist:
Hellions by Julia Elliott
The White Hot by Quiara Alegría Hudes
Cannon by Lee Lai
A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar
Lion by Sonya Walger
Alexandra Skoczylas, CEO of the Carol Shields Prize for Fiction, said, "These five books represent literary excellence across a diverse range of genres, including novels, a graphic novel, and a short story collection. We are fiercely committed to championing women and non-binary authors working in Canada and the United States, ensuring their stories receive the global recognition and support they deserve. To that end, we encourage everyone to read these books, and to pass them on to friends."
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Winners have been announced in eight categories for the 20th annual Sheikh Zayed Book Awards, organized by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre under the auspices of the Department of Culture and Tourism--Abu Dhabi, and recognizing "the profound contributions of scholars and authors to the Arabic literary canon." Winners will be celebrated at an official ceremony at a future date; each category winner receives a prize of 750,000 UAE dirhams (about $204,200) and the Cultural Personality of the Year receives a gold medal, a certificate of merit, and a prize of AED 1 million (about $272,240).
Literature: Births in the Zoo by Egyptian novelist Ashraf Elashmawy
Arab Culture in Other Languages: Der arabische Diwan: Die schönsten Gedichte aus vorislamischer Zeit by German author Stefan Weidner, an edited anthology of early Arabic poetry
Translation: Iraqi-American translator Nawal Nasrallah for Smorgasbords of Andalusi and Maghribi Dishes and Their Salutary Benefits, a translation of the 13th-century cookbook Anwā al-Saydala fī Alwān al-At'ima
Young Author: Moroccan scholar Mustapha Rajouane for his work Plots and Characters: A Rhetorical Argumentative Approach to the Arabic Novel
Literary and Art Criticism: Perceiving the World: Mutual Stereotypes Between the Self and the Other by Jordanian author Zuhair Tawfiq
Manuscripts, Encyclopaedias and Lexicons: Egyptian scholar and philosopher of religion, Prof. Dr Mohamed Otham Elkhosht, for his six-volume Encyclopaedia of World Religions
Publishing & Technology: Emirates Literature Foundation, based in Dubai
And Egyptian artist Nagat El Saghira was awarded Cultural Personality of the Year in recognition of her status as "one of the Arab world's most distinguished vocal icons... One of the last surviving voices of the golden age of Arabic music and a living memory of this defining chapter in Arab cultural history, El Saghira performed a rich repertoire of poetic songs that strengthened the place of the Arabic language in the cultural imagination. Her artistic journey brought together the works of some of the Arab world's most distinguished poets and composers, enriching the canon of Arabic song and forging an enduring connection between poetry and music, while leaving a lasting legacy for generations."
Dr Ali bin Tamim, Secretary-General of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award and chairman of Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, said, "In this landmark 20th anniversary edition, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award is honoured to have demonstrated its continued commitment to enriching the global intellectual landscape, fostering cultural exchange and amplifying the Arab world's influence on international thought. This year's laureates reflect the remarkable breadth and continuity of Arabic cultural and literary history--from the foundational voices of pre-Islamic poetry to contemporary scholarship and literary works that speak powerfully to our present cultural moment. Their achievements transcend borders, demonstrating that Arab culture is not peripheral but integral to a shared global dialogue. As we mark two decades of the Award's journey, we honour 144 laureates whose work has left an enduring imprint on the global appreciation of Arabic literature, scholarship, and knowledge, and we look ahead to an even more expansive role in shaping the cultural conversations of the future."