Meet the 2017 National Book Award Finalists (and Winners!)

By Gwen Glazer, Librarian
November 15, 2017

Updated to add: Congratulations to the winners of this year's award! 

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future is history
half-light
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Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward

The Future Is History: How Totalitarianism Reclaimed Russia by Masha Gessen

Half-light: Collected Poems 1965-2016 by Frank Bidart

Far from the Tree by Robin Benway

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The literati are eagerly anticipating this year's National Book Award winners, who will be announced on Wednesday, November 15, around 7:20 PM. 

First thing Thursday morning, the Library will have dozens of new copies of the winning books available in our catalog— and you can check out not only the current nominees, but also earlier works by the authors. Links are below, along with  special features, including your chance to hear Masha Gessen speak at the Library on December 18 and a recorded LIVE from the NYPL conversation between Jesmyn Ward, William Jelani Cobb, and Khalil Gibran Muhammad. Happy award season!

NBAfic
NBANonfic
NBApoetry
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Young People's Literature

What Girls Are Made Of by Elana K. Arnold 

Far from the Tree by Robin Benway

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez

Clayton Byrd Goes Underground by Rita Williams-Garcia

American Street by Ibi Zoboi

Check out interviews with all the finalists on the National Book Foundation's website. And let us know your favorite nominated books in the comments!

Librarian Gwen Glazer and Finalist Danez Smith

Finalist Danez Smith with Librarian Gwen Glazer 

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Have trouble reading standard print? Many of these titles are available in formats for patrons with print disabilities.

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 more recommendations!