The thirteen books on the 2025 International Booker Prize longlist, announced February 2025
As we celebrate World Book Day this weekend, I thought I’d take a look at the International Booker Prize longlist, which was announced recently. This prize is for fiction from around the world that has been translated into English.
The list of thirteen gives us:
– thirteen first-time author nominees;
– ten original languages (Arabic, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Kannada, Romanian, Spanish);
– two first-time languages (Kannada and Romanian);
– ten first-time translator nominees;
– ten independent publishers;
– two first-time publisher nominees.
The next step in the competition will see the announcement of the shortlist on Tuesday, 8 April, followed by the announcement of the winner at a ceremony at London’s Tate Modern on Tuesday, 20 May.
For my next step, how will I choose where to start my reading of books on this varied and fascinating list? Well, I’ll maybe let the judges choose for me and wait to read the winner; or I’ll go for either Solenoid, produced by one of my favourite publishers (Pushkin Press), or Hunchback, translated by one of my favourite translators (Polly Barton). In fact, looking closer, I think Hunchback might be my choice – it’s the shortest book on the longlist and my regular readers will know that I love Japan and Japanese writing. And the weekend could be a good one otherwise buy a new book as many of the bookshops are giving double loyalty points to support World Book Day.
Oh, and I really must get round to reading last year’s winner, Kairos by Jenny Erpenbeck, which is still sitting on my bookshelves.
Now over to all of you. Do come and join us in our Saturday six-word musings.
I’ll admit that many of us openly break the numeric rule and share far more words (all excellent of course!) so the key rule is to have a title of six words – and then create around that the post that you desire! Perhaps in bunches of 6 words if you’re feeling inspired.
To join the challenge, please put a link in your post to the URL of this post. Then come back here and leave us a comment. If you have any problems with linking, just put your own URL into the comment. And do feel free to socialise digitally with the hashtags #SixWordSaturday and #6WS. You’ll find me on Instagram @travel_travel_with_intent and @dsmythphoto
Copyright Debbie Smyth, 8 March 2025
Posted as part of Six Word Saturday
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Travel with Intent 
Like Jo said, “so many books so little time.” I feel like that about travel too “so many places so little time”.
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I would start with, “There’s a monster behind the door.” Looks intriguing.
My entry is here
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Yes, it does sound fascinating – child abuse, local superstitions and customs, and post-colonialism.
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intriguing indeed. what a treat.
https://lessywannagohome.blogspot.com/2025/03/just-pane-in-glass.html
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Lots to explore there!
Here’s mine for today: When Wind Blows Art Is Created | Out of My Write Mind
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https://angloswiss-chronicles.com/2025/03/08/saturday-six-word-musings-4/
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Cool topic for your post. I love that you have a favorite translator! My theme is colder and a good reason to stay inside reading, snow. https://fakeflamenco.com/2025/03/08/from-6-words-to-1-snow/
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One of my favorite mystery series is a translated on. I have to give a lot of credit to the translators, in fact I often think they are the ones to make it a good read.
https://lisasgardenadventureinoregon.blogspot.com/2025/03/think-you-can-beat-me-caw-ha-ha.html
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Oh yes, a good translator is vital – they have to capture more than the words, they have to get the mood and the style of writing too.
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I’m all for books! 🙂
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I’m going to look some of these books up, I love to see New translations. Here’s mine for today.https://suejudd.com/2025/03/08/lets-enjoy-while-we-still-can/
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They all sound fascinating. One or two are short stories, which might suit you. And Hunchback is short – I bought it yesterday and popped in my packing pile for my next trip 🙂
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I’m going for Solenoid to start with as I’ve long been fascinated by Romania….
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Sounds fascinating, Sue – a mix of history, autobiography, philosophy and maths. You must report back.
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I will!
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No time for reading last weekend. https://picturesimperfectblog.com/2025/03/08/an-intriguing-selection-of-carnival-costumes/
Maybe now that the silly season is over and Ash Wednesday has brought Lent and repenting and gnashing of teeth and wailing and denying pleasure – oh no that would mean I can’t read either!
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Not afraid of a challenge then Debbie. At first I thought some of the titles were weird translations as some titles have a familiar sounding name 🤔
You did have me stuck on a book theme Debbie for a while
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There’s quite a flurry of book awards at the moment so I got caught up in that. And I’m in reading mode at the moment as I prepare for my next travels – more next Saturday!
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Out of the depths of Winter and away she goes with time to consume books on planes 😀
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🙂
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I love it when you post about books, Debbie, as your reading is so interesting. I’m a bit ashamed I haven’t yet read any of this year’s longlist – yet – but that will change: and meanwhile I can heartily recommend Kairos.
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You have a topical post for this weeks challenge 🙂 Mine is a more predictable. theme. https://davidoakes-images.com/2025/03/08/6ws-6-word-saturday-challenge-38/
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I have a stack of books waiting to be read! Not enough hours in the days at the moment, looking forward to the Easter break. 🙂
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So many books, so little time!
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Always one of my mottos, Jo. 😉
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