The National Book Foundation unveiled the winners of the 2025 National Book Awards at a glittering ceremony in New York on November 20, celebrating five standout works across fiction, nonfiction, poetry, translated literature, and young people’s literature.
A Night of Literary Celebration
The 76th National Book Awards Ceremony, held at Cipriani Wall Street, was hosted by actor Jeff Hiller and featured a soulful performance by Corinne Bailey Rae, who serenaded the audience with “Put Your Records On” and “Just Like a Star.” The event brought together writers, publishers, and readers to honor books that defined the year’s literary landscape.
The Winners
Judges reviewed more than 1,800 submissions before selecting the following winners:
– Fiction: The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother) by Rabih Alameddine, a witty and poignant exploration of family, identity, and resilience set against Lebanon’s turbulent backdrop.
– Nonfiction: One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad, a searing meditation on displacement, conflict, and the politics of belonging.
– Poetry: Bad Faith by Solmaz Sharif, praised for its incisive language and unflinching critique of power and war.
– Translated Literature: The Book of Eve by Camila Sosa Villada, translated from Spanish by Kit Maude, a bold reimagining of myth and gender that captivated judges.
– Young People’s Literature: The Cloud We Carry by Kelly Barnhill, a lyrical novel blending fantasy and emotional realism for younger readers.
Lifetime Achievement Honors
Two major honors underscored the evening’s theme of legacy:
– George Saunders, author of Lincoln in the Bardo, received the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, presented by New Yorker fiction editor Deborah Treisman.
– Roxane Gay, acclaimed essayist and cultural critic, was awarded the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community, recognizing her advocacy for inclusivity and her impact on contemporary discourse.
Atmosphere and Impact
The ceremony was described as “the glitterati of the literati,” a night where serious literary achievement met celebration and community. Acceptance speeches highlighted the power of storytelling in times of upheaval, with winners emphasizing literature’s role in fostering empathy, challenging authority, and preserving memory.
Looking Ahead
The National Book Awards, established in 1950, remain one of the most prestigious honors in American letters. This year’s winners reflect a commitment to provocative, boundary-pushing literature that resonates far beyond the page. As the National Book Foundation noted, the awards are not only about recognizing excellence but ensuring these works reach readers across the country.
In short: The 2025 National Book Awards crowned Rabih Alameddine, Omar El Akkad, Solmaz Sharif, Camila Sosa Villada, and Kelly Barnhill as winners, while George Saunders and Roxane Gay received lifetime honors—marking a year of bold, resonant voices in American literature.
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