2015 National Book Award Finalists Announced

After an exclusive announcement on NPR’s Morning Edition, we now know which books are still in the running for the coveted National Book Award. The prize organizers have announced five finalists in each of four categories: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and young people’s literature. Several of the biggest names from the fiction longlist have been dropped from consideration. Bill Clegg’s Did You Ever Have a Family is gone. Nell Zink, who rose to prominence in part through the efforts of her friend Jonathan Franzen, also failed to make the cut. Among the fiction finalists is Hanya Yanagihara, whose book A Little Life was also …

Stephen Lovely – October 14th, 2015

Several of the biggest names from the fiction longlist have been dropped from consideration. Bill Clegg’s Did You Ever Have a Family is gone. Nell Zink, who rose to prominence in part through the efforts of her friend Jonathan Franzen, also failed to make the cut.

Among the fiction finalists is Hanya Yanagihara, whose book A Little Life was also shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize.

The nonfiction finalists feature fewer surprises. Ta-Nehisis Coates, whose work Between the World and Me has caused a literary sensation, made the cut and is probably the frontrunner to win the award.

The finalists for poetry include prior winner Terrance Hayes. Among the finalists for young people’s literature are former winner Steve Sheinkin (for Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War) and web comic author Noelle Stevenson (for the graphic novel Nimona).

Check out the complete list of winners below!