We are so proud to announce two amazing books by two of our favorite authors have been selected as finalists for the National Book Award in fiction: News of the World by Paulette Jiles and Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson.
News of the World, the #1 LibraryReads pick for October, is a sparse, heart-wrenching Western set in post-Civil War Texas that follows an aging war veteran who takes a job transporting an orphaned girl across Texas to her adoptive aunt and uncle. In a starred review, Booklist raves, “Jiles’ lyrical style and minimal punctuation allow the reader to become immersed in the dusty Texan landscape, witnessing the anguish, fear, compassion, and joy in the unlikely pair’s journey.”
Another Brooklyn, the first adult novel in 20 years by the National Book Award-winning author of Brown Girl Dreaming, is a stunning, lyrical coming-of-age story centered on a group of friends as they navigate the ever-changing landscape of a perilous, beautiful, and affecting Brooklyn, New York. Another Brooklyn also received a starred review from Booklist, who says, "The novel’s richness defies its slim page count. In her poet’s prose, Woodson not only shows us backward-glancing August attempting to stave off growing up and the pains that betray youth, she also wonders how we dream of a life parallel to the one we’re living.”
Please join us in congratulating Paulette and Jacqueline for this incredible accomplishment! For more information on the National Book Awards, please visit the official page here. The winners will be announced November 16th, so stay tuned! If you've read either (or both!) of these soon-to-be classics, be sure to share your thoughts.
-Chris