The 75th National Book Awards took place on November 20, 2024, at Cipriani Downtown in Manhattan, hosted by comedian Kate McKinnon. This prestigious event recognized outstanding contributions to literature across various genres. Percival Everett won the fiction award for his novel 'James', published by Doubleday, a modern retelling of Mark Twain's 'Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'. In addition to the fiction award, Barbara Kingsolver received the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, honoring her significant impact on American literature. W. Paul Coates was celebrated with the Literarian Award for his efforts in promoting literature and literacy.
In the young people's literature category, Shifa Saltagi's 'Kareem Between' took home the award, while Lena Khalaf Tuffaha won the poetry award for her collection 'Something about Living'. The award for translated literature was notably won by Lin King, a Columbia University alumna, for her translation of Yáng Shuang-zi’s 'Taiwan Travelogue', which explores the relationship between a Japanese writer and her Taiwanese interpreter in 1930s Taiwan. King accepted the award alongside Shuang-zi, and they will share a $10,000 prize, becoming permanent members of the National Book Foundation. This year's awards highlighted the role of literature in social justice and the importance of empathy in storytelling, reflecting a broader societal focus on these critical issues. The event showcased a diverse array of voices and narratives, emphasizing the evolving landscape of contemporary literature. [054be753][e022f509]
In related news, the winner of the relaunched Winston Graham Historical Fiction Prize was announced recently. The prize, which celebrates historical fiction with a strong sense of place, revealed its 2024 winner at the Royal Cornwall Museum. The winning book is 'Cuddy' by Benjamin Myers, a fictionalized account of the life of Saint Cuthbert of Lindisfarne. The judging panel, which included authors Louis de Bernieres and AK Blakemore, praised 'Cuddy' as a worthy winner that vividly brings to life the north of England. Myers, unable to attend in person, expressed his gratitude for the recognition via Zoom. The prize also shortlisted five other works, including 'The Whalebone Theatre' by Joanna Quinn and 'A Wild and True Relation' by Kim Sherwood. This year's competition marked the first time entries were invited from beyond Cornwall, aiming to attract a wider range of participants. Peggotty Graham, Winston Graham's daughter-in-law, expressed her delight at the increased diversity of entrants. [872c90eb]
Additionally, author Gwendolyn Mukes and illustrator Alex Wallace, a mother-daughter duo, have won the Lynn McIntosh Award for Excellence at the 35th Annual Oklahoma Book Awards. The award recognizes their exceptional contribution to children's literature and their recent work on the book 'Gwen Didn't Care'. The award was presented by the Oklahoma Center for the Book. The book has the ISBN 979-8985784428. [872c90eb]
In the realm of design, Penguin has announced the winners of the Cover Design Award 2024 for emerging designers. The competition received nearly 1,800 entries and was open to both students and emerging designers. The winners in the adult fiction category are Cadi Rhind (first place), Max Bicknell (second place), and Rebekah Sinclair (third place). The winning design for the adult non-fiction category was created by George Griffiths (first place), followed by James Gregory (second place) and Craig Ferdinando (third place). In the children's category, Charlotte Jennings won first place, followed by Evan Connolly (second place) and Karin Keratova (third place). Each winner will receive a six-month mentorship with a member of the Penguin Art Department, as well as tablets and design books. The winning designs were for the books 'Daisy Jones and the Six' by Taylor Jenkins Reid, 'Atomic Habits' by James Clear, and 'City of Stolen Magic' by Nazneen Ahmed Pathak. [872c90eb]