Judging the Booker Prize this year has proven to be an intense and demanding endeavor for the panel tasked with selecting the winner, set to be announced on November 9. The judges faced the challenge of reading 163 books over seven months, averaging roughly three-quarters of a book per day—a pace that tested their endurance and resiliency.
The judging panel comprises poet Raymond Antrobus, author Patricia Lockwood, musician Jarvis Cocker, literary critic Rebecca Liu, and classicist Mary Beard, who chairs the group. Together, they narrowed the initial longlist of titles to a shortlist of six contenders: M John Harrison’s science fiction novel *The End of Everything*; Marlon James’s *The Disappearers*, set in Jamaica; Luke Kennard’s campus comedy *Black Bag*; Rebecca Perry’s debut *May We Feed The King*; Elizabeth Strout’s 11th novel *The Things We Never Say*; and Douglas Stuart’s multigenerational epic *John of John*.
Judging one of the literary world’s most prestigious prizes demands a sustained, almost exhaustive reading regimen. For Lockwood, the process involved trial and error to find an effective routine, concluding that reading in the afternoon allowed her to maintain focus without the task consuming her entire day. Antrobus drew on his background as a competitive swimmer to establish a regimented reading schedule, setting benchmarks such as completing 50 pages before 9 a.m. His optimal conditions also involved prioritizing sleep and maintaining a liquid diet to preserve mental clarity.
The volume of reading meant adopting practical strategies, including the difficult decision to set aside some books before completion. Lockwood recalled advice from Booker director Gaby Wood that framed the process as a “treasure hunt,” rather than a punishment, helping judges navigate the demanding workload more sustainably. Antrobus, balancing fatherhood with the commitment, noted moments of near burnout but credited supportive communication with Booker directors and fellow judges for reassurance.
The personal sacrifices made by judges were considerable, with Antrobus pausing his teaching duties and Lockwood finding her creative hobbies curtailed by the intensive reading. Nevertheless, Lockwood continued her own writing amidst the process, including a piece on American author Willa Cather, which she found offered a helpful benchmark for evaluating the entries.
The panel addressed the challenge of how to order their reading differently: Beard read alphabetically, while Lockwood selected titles based on mood, avoiding overly dark or challenging books consecutively to maintain balance. The judging meetings—nine in total, both virtual and in-person—were reported as spirited but collegial, with the judges engaging in robust debate ahead of their final decision.
The process has underscored the immense dedication involved in awarding the Booker Prize, highlighting the judges’ commitment to thoughtfully evaluating a diverse and rigorous field of literary works.