2026 5 Under 35 Ceremony

Join us to celebrate the 2026 5 Under 35 honorees Megan Kamalei Kakimoto (Every Drop Is a Man's Nightmare), Anika Jade Levy (Flat Earth), Carrie R. Moore (Make Your Way Home), Maggie Su (Blob: A Love Story), and Stephanie Wambugu (Lonely Crowds), who will read from their exceptional debut works of fiction. The honorees will be introduced on stage by their selectors—five literary luminaries previously honored by the National Book Foundation: Kali Fajardo-Anstine, Sigrid Nunez, Danielle Evans, Charles Yu, and Kaveh Akbar. Read more about this year’s honorees and selectors at the National Book Foundation’s website.

Hosted by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, 2018 5 Under 35 Honoree and 2023 National Book Award Finalist.

Books will be available for purchase on site thanks to Books Are Magic. This is a 21+ event with a cash bar.

DOORS | 6:30PM

For accessibility requests and questions, please email awards@nationalbook.org.