Biblio File

Waiting for the National Book Award Finalists? Try These.

The five candidates that made it to the last round of the esteemed National Book Awards—the top honor for American literature—are particularly exciting this year.

While the finalists soak up all the attention (and create huge wait times as they pile up on hold lists), here are some books on similar themes that might ease the wait.

refund

For recommendations based on Refund by Karen Bender, more books about money and social class:

NW by Zadie Smith

Capital by John Lanchester

Run by Ann Patchett

 

 

 

turner

For recommendations based on The Turner House by Angela Flournoy, more multi-generational family novels:

The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler

The Year She Left Us by Kathryn Ma

Family Life by Akhil Sharma

 

 

 

fates

For recommendations based on Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff, more novels about complex marriages, gender politics, and relationships:

The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud

Before I Go by Collean Oakley

The End of the Affair by Graham Greene

 

 

 

fortune

For recommendations based on Fortune Smiles by Adam Johnson, more world-building short stories with compelling characters:

This Is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz

Get in Trouble by Kelly Link

When the Messenger Is Hot by Elizabeth Crane

 

 

 

life

For recommendations based on A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, more powerful novels involving post-college friendships:

Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami

The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer

The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood

 

 

 

Staff picks are chosen by NYPL staff members and are not intended to be comprehensive lists. We'd love to hear your ideas too, so leave a comment and tell us what you’d recommend.

And check out our Staff Picks browse tool for 100 new recommendations every month!

Comments

Patron-generated content represents the views and interpretations of the patron, not necessarily those of The New York Public Library. For more information see NYPL's Website Terms and Conditions.

John Lanchester

Sometimes we need to read just for fun. Both Capital and Whoops are great fun.

Book recommendation

Mr. & Mrs. Doctor by Julie Iromuanya Immigrants hard life in a new country, new culture, new conditions.