Bookfest 2026 continues at Romexpo until Sunday, June 7. Many Romanian readers have provided recommendations for visitors, from classic novels and dystopias to fantasy, thrillers and contemporary authors.
Until Sunday, June 7, reading enthusiasts are invited to the Bookfest International Book Fair, organized at Romexpo, in Bucharest. Bookfest, which takes place between June 3-7, 2026, is in its 19th edition and is among the most important cultural events in Romania.
“This year, Bookfest aims to bring hundreds of book launches, thematic workshops, debates and autograph sessions with the most important personalities of domestic and international written culture closer to the public. This year’s central program is announced to be extremely diverse, turning every day into a unique opportunity for visitors to attend conferences, participate in debates of ideas and go home with their favorite volumes signed by the authors of the moment”show the organizers of the book fair.
Among the cultural personalities participating in Bookfest 2026 are Gheorghi Gospodinov, Mircea Cărtărescu, Gabriela Adameșteanu, Gabriel Liiceanu, Cristian Tudor Popescu, Theodor Paleologu, Doina Ruști, Radu Paraschivescu, Horia-Roman Patapievici, Tatiana Niculescu, Mircea Mihăieș, Cătălin Vasilescu, Dan-Liviu Boeriu, Lucian Croitoru, Catherine Lovey, Nadia Comăneci, Margareta Pâslaru, Igor Bergler, Alex Donovici, Alec Blenche and Veronica D. Niculescu.
Also, visitors have the opportunity to get to know the literature from the Balkan space. Bulgaria is the Guest of Honor of Bookfest 2026 and will be represented by 14 writers, poets and authors of children’s literature.
What books do Romanians recommend at Bookfest 2026
For many Romanians, the book fair is an opportunity to meet some of their favorite writers, but also to discover quality literature and attractive offers. Invited on the Reddit platform to offer recommendations for Bookfest visitors, readers proposed different volumes, from classic novels to fantasy literature, thrillers and books by contemporary Romanian authors.
Among the most appreciated recommendations was the novel “Flowers for Algernon”, by Daniel Keyes, the story of a man with intellectual disabilities who acquires extraordinary intelligence as a result of an experiment.
Readers also recommended “Essay on Blindness” by José Saramago, “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood, South Korean writer Han Kang’s volumes, especially “Dissection” and “Vegetariana”, but also Elif Shafak’s books.
Fans of science fiction literature remembered the volumes of Arthur C. Clarke and the short story collection “The Illustrated Man” by Ray Bradbury. For readers attracted to fantasy, the “Red Rising” series by Pierce Brown, the “Assassin’s Tale” series by Robin Hobb, the “Haiganu” series by Marian Coman, or the volumes in the “Dungeon Crawler Carl” series by Matt Dinniman were proposed.
Among the recommendations were “Jurnalul fericirii” by Nicolae Steinhardt, books of reports by Viorel Ilișoi and volumes published by independent publishing houses, less known to the general public.
Some readers have pointed out, however, that the discounts offered at the fair are not always more advantageous than those available in online bookstores.
“Go to Bookfest, make a list of books you find interesting, then buy them for half price elsewhere”wrote a participant in the discussion.
Another reader claimed that in the 2025 edition, only a few publishers had substantial discounts.
“I went, enjoyed the atmosphere and made a list of a few titles I liked, then ordered them online,” he added.
Other Romanians, however, recommended that visitors take advantage of the fair to discover lesser-known authors.
“If you’re still going, why don’t you take more unknown stuff? There will be some authors present, take what you find interesting from them. It seems to me a bit of a waste of time to go there and come back with Dostoevsky and Camus”, one reader commented.
The Bookfest International Book Fair is organized by the Romanian Publishers Association, under the auspices of the Romanian Publishers Federation, in collaboration with the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture and the Bulgarian Embassy in Romania.
