Full Breakdown
2025 National Book Awards Finalists Announced
10/7/2025, 9:24:13 PM
Overview of the Finalists
The National Book Foundation has announced the finalists for the 2025 National Book Awards, celebrating outstanding works across five categories: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Translated Literature, and Young People's Literature. The winners will be revealed at a ceremony on November 19 in New York City.
Fiction Finalists
The fiction category features five notable works:
- Rabih Alameddine for *The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother)*, a narrative exploring the titular character's journey from Beirut to a writer's residency in the U.S.
- Megha Majumdar for *A Guardian and a Thief*, which follows two families in a near-future, disaster-stricken India.
- Karen Russell for *The Antidote*, set in 1930s Nebraska, where a "Prairie Witch" uncovers town secrets.
- Ethan Rutherford for *North Sun: Or, the Voyage of the Whaleship Esther*, which addresses environmental themes through a maritime lens.
- Bryan Washington for *Palaver*, focusing on the relationship between a gay man and his estranged mother.
Nonfiction Finalists
The nonfiction finalists include:
- Omar El Akkad for *One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This*, examining U.S. and European complicity in the destruction of Gaza.
- Julia Ioffe for *Motherland: A Feminist History of Modern Russia, from Revolution to Autocracy*, a memoir reflecting on her family's history.
- Yiyun Li for *Things in Nature Merely Grow*, a poignant account of grief following the loss of her two sons.
- Claudia Rowe for *Wards of the State: The Long Shadow of American Foster Care*, advocating for foster care reform.
- Jordan Thomas for *When It All Burns: Fighting Fire in a Transformed World*, detailing the impacts of climate change during megafire seasons.
Poetry Finalists
The poetry category showcases:
- Gabrielle Calvocoressi for *The New Economy*, exploring themes of childhood and loss.
- Cathy Linh Che for *Becoming Ghost*, reflecting on her Vietnamese identity.
- Tiana Clark for *Scorched Earth*, addressing historical suffering through a personal lens.
- Richard Siken for *I Do Know Some Things*, a journey of recovery.
- Patricia Smith for *The Intentions of Thunder: New and Selected Poems*, celebrating Black joy.
Translated Literature Finalists
Finalists in translated literature include:
- Solvej Balle for *On the Calculation of Volume (Book III)*, translated by Sophia Hersi Smith and Jennifer Russell.
- Gabriela Cabezón Cámara for *We Are Green and Trembling*, translated by Robin Myers.
- Anjet Daanje for *The Remembered Soldier*, translated by David McKay.
- Hamid Ismailov for *We Computers: A Ghazal Novel*, translated by Shelley Fairweather-Vega.
- Neige Sinno for *Sad Tiger*, translated by Natasha Lehrer.
Young People's Literature Finalists
The young people's literature category features:
- Kyle Lukoff for *A World Worth Saving*, focusing on a trans teen's mission.
- Amber McBride for *The Leaving Room*, a narrative about love and loss.
- Daniel Nayeri for *The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story*, depicting a nomadic tribe's efforts to save a Jewish boy.
- Hannah V. Sawyerr for *Truth Is*, exploring self-healing through writing.
- Ibi Zoboi for *(S)Kin*, addressing identity and immigration.
Significance of the Awards
The National Book Awards aim to highlight exceptional literature and ensure books maintain a prominent cultural presence. This year, the foundation received 1,835 submissions across all categories, with the majority in nonfiction. Each winner will receive $10,000, a bronze medal, and a statue, while finalists will receive $1,000 and a medal.
The awards ceremony will also honor lifetime achievement recipients George Saunders and Roxane Gay. The event will be livestreamed for broader access, allowing audiences to engage with the celebration of literary excellence.
