Every year, a list of books representing the literary heritage of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands is distributed by the Library of Congress Center for the Book during the National Book Festival Roadmap to Reading. Great Reads books may be written by authors from the state/territory, take place in the state/territory, or celebrate the culture and heritage of the state/territory.
The National Book Festival, held annually in Washington, DC, celebrates books and reading and brings together bestselling authors and thousands of book fans for author talks, panel discussions, book signings and other activities. Great Reads books represent the literary landscape of the states and territories.
Until 2022, most Great Reads books selected were for children and young readers. In 2022 states were given the option to select two books: a Great Read for Youth, and a Great Read for Adults. The Arkansas Center for the Book at the Arkansas State Library selects the Great Reads books to represent the state of Arkansas.
The 2026 Arkansas Center for the Book Great Reads selections are:
- 2026 Great Read for Youth: Cope Field by T.L. Simpson (Mendota Heights, Minnesota: Flux, 2025)
- 2026 Great Read for Adults: Eat Like the Hogs: A Collection of Favorite Recipes from Razorback Greats edited by Becky Bull and Karen Van Horn (Fayetteville, Arkansas: University of Arkansas Press, 2025)
The National Book Festival Roadmap to Reading is made possible by the generous support of the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the National Endowment for the Humanities with additional support from Chief Officers of State Library Agencies.
For more information, contact:
- Karen O’Connell
- Librarian, Library Development
- [email protected] or (501) 682-2874