The Library of Congress Just Released Its 2026 Book Festival Lineup: Here Are the Best Books to Read This Summer
See the authors, dates and 5 books to read before the August event
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 LOC National Book Festival takes place Saturday, August 22, in Washington, D.C.
- Entry is free, but guests need a complimentary ticket to attend the festival.
- This year's festival, renamed America 250: It's Your Story, features over 80 authors.
The Library of Congress (LOC) just announced which authors and books are going to be featured at their 2026 National Book Festival, and trust us when we say there’s something for everyone. From historical fiction to romance and even dystopian books, this year’s festival is going to have readers clearing their schedule to attend. Below, we share more about the festival, including how to get tickets. Keep scrolling for all the info—and five books by festival authors to read before attending.
What is the Library of Congress National Book Festival?
The Library of Congress National Book Festival is an annual literary festival held in Washington, D.C. It was created in 2001 by James H. Billington and Jenna Bush Hager’s mom, Laura Bush, and it’s one of the most popular and most respected book conventions in the country. This year’s festival in particular is highly anticipated, since the library plans to honor the country’s semiquincentennial. They even renamed the festival “America 250: It’s Your Story” as part of the celebrations.
When is the 2026 Library of Congress National Book Festival?
The 2026 Library of Congress National Book Festival will be held on Saturday, August 22, at the Washington Convention Center. The event is free, however guests must get a complimentary ticket online. If you’re looking to attend panels or signings, you’ll need to buy tickets. For those who don’t live in the D.C. area, all of the event’s panels will be available to livestream or stream online after the event.
“The Library of Congress National Book Festival has become one of the nation’s favorite literary traditions, and we are proud to continue hosting this popular festival in August 2026,” Acting Librarian of Congress Robert R. Newlen said in a statement earlier this year. “Every year, book lovers of all ages converge to celebrate reading in the nation’s capital.”
Books to read before attending the 2026 Library of Congress National Book Festival
This year’s Library of Congress National Book Festival will feature more than 80 authors across every genre. For the full list, click here. But if you’re short on time, we’ve narrowed the field down to five standout authors from that lineup—and the books that make them worth adding to your festival reading list!
‘Villa Coco’ by Andrew Sean Greer
When an aspiring archivist lands a job as an assistant to 92-year-old Baronessa—or Coco, as her friends affectionately call her—her life takes an unexpected turn. Suddenly, the unnamed narrator finds herself juggling an affair with a married man while helping the spirited Coco embark on a wild quest to track down the love of her life. The result? A heartwarming, beautifully messy story that blends tender moments of connection with laugh-out-loud humor that will have readers smiling from beginning to end.
What readers are saying: “Villa Coco is about a band of characters who have found themselves working and living together, including a young American who is trying to find himself. If you are looking for a light-hearted yet deep story with humorous elements, this is the story for you!”
‘Whistler’ by Ann Patchett
This new novel by Ann Patchett begins with a chance encounter: 53-year-old Daphne Fuller is wandering through New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art when she spots a familiar face—Eddie Triplett, her former stepfather. Eddie was married to Daphne’s mother for barely a year when she was just 9 years old, and she hasn’t laid eyes on him in decades, not since one shocking night changed everything. As the two reconnect, they discover that the connection they shared all those years ago has somehow survived the passage of time. A perfect story of love and second chances.
What readers are saying: “If you have ever lost someone you were not supposed to lose, found them again in some form, or carried the quiet weight of a relationship that mattered more than the world ever knew, Whistler will reach you where you live. It is a gift of a book, arriving exactly when the world needs it most.”
‘Lake Effect’ by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney
Set in 1977 Rochester, New York, this novel follows Nina, who’s happily married when a fling threatens the life she’s built. Meanwhile, Nina’s daughter Clara is dealing with the weight of first love. Years later, Clara—still haunted by her family’s scandal—is called home for a wedding. What follows upends her life.
What readers are saying: “This is a beautifully written book with beautiful storytelling. This is the author’s best book, by far. I loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys and treasures wonderful writing, wonderful books.”
‘Eyes of Kings’ by Chloe Gong
The third installment in the Flesh & False Gods trilogy, which is inspired by Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, is set in the magical world of Talin and follows Calla Tuoleimi and Anton Makusa. Calla assumed victory would be easy. After all, she finally got her crown and wields the most powerful weapon in the kingdom. But when whispers of the old gods returning begin to stir, things change. Now she and Anton must figure out how to survive, before it’s too late.
What readers are saying: “The deciding triumph. The last hurrah. Chloe Gong shatters the world of Talin one last time in the brilliant, deadly finale Eyes of Kings, the third and final installment in the Flesh and False Gods series.”
‘The Missed Connection’ by Tia Williams
This swoon-worthy novel follows casting agent Sasha Cruz, who has a gift for finding the perfect match—at least when it comes to pairing actors with roles. Her own love life? That’s a different story. But everything changes after a magical encounter with a mysterious Italian stranger on a flight to Paris. Determined to track him down, Sasha hires a charming detective to help with her search. There’s just one problem: The detective himself is proving to be an irresistible distraction. Now Sasha must decide—should she keep chasing the man who got away, or take a chance on the one right in front of her?
What readers are saying: “The Missed Connection was an iconically unconventional love story, and I loved every second of it. This romance highkey threw me for a loop in the beginning, but I thought it made the whole plot so refreshing and fun.”
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