National Book Awards 2023: Explore its Categories, Judges, and More
by Aishwarya R
Updated Sep 14, 2023
National Book Awards 2023
The National Book Foundation is set to announce the longlists for the 2023 National Book Awards, continuing its tradition of celebrating outstanding literary works across various categories. This year is the 74th edition of the National Book Awards, established in 1936 by the American Booksellers Association, which has become a prestigious recognition in the American literary landscape.
These awards honor exceptional works of literature in five categories: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, translated literature, and young people's literature. Each category typically features five finalists, selected from a pool of books published in the United States during the award year.
The National Book Awards were briefly abandoned during World War II but were re-established in 1950 by three prominent book industry organizations. Originally, non-U.S. authors and publishers were eligible for these awards, but the criteria have since evolved, and they are now presented exclusively to U.S. authors.
The nonprofit National Book Foundation, founded in 1988, plays a pivotal role in administering and enhancing the National Book Awards. Beyond recognizing outstanding literary achievements, the foundation is committed to promoting education and literacy by sponsoring public appearances by renowned writers. Its mission is clear: "to celebrate the best literature in America, expand its audience, and ensure that books have a prominent place in American culture."
In the past, the National Book Awards have garnered substantial attention and recognition within the literary community. In 2018, for instance, a staggering 1,637 books were nominated across the five award categories, with nonfiction leading the way with 546 nominations. The annual National Book Awards Ceremony, which takes place in November in New York City, is a highlight of the literary calendar, where the National Book Foundation presents the National Book Awards themselves, along with two lifetime achievement awards to distinguished authors.
As the 2023 National Book Award longlists are unveiled, it's an exciting time for literature enthusiasts, authors, and publishers alike. These awards continue to serve as a platform for celebrating and acknowledging the exceptional talent and creativity of authors who contribute to the vibrant and diverse landscape of American literature. The National Book Foundation's dedication to fostering a love for reading and books in American culture ensures that these awards remain a vital part of the literary world.
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2023 National Book Awards Translated Literature Longlists
The National Book Foundation has revealed the longlist for the 2023 National Book Award for Translated Literature. This list comprises ten titles originally published in seven different languages: Arabic, Dutch, French, German, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish. These selections were chosen from a total of 154 books submitted for consideration by their respective publishers. This recognition underscores the diverse and global nature of translated literature in the United States. the full list is below:-
Title
Author
Translator
Publisher
Devil of the Provinces
Juan Cárdenas
Lizzie Davis
Coffee House
Cursed Bunny
Bora Chung
Anton Hur
Algonquin
Beyond the Door of No Return
David Diop
Sam Taylor
FSG
Kairos
Jenny Erpenbeck
Michael Hofmann
New Directions
The Words That Remain
Stênio Gardel
Bruna Dantas Lobato
New Vessel
No One Prayed Over Their Graves
Khaled Khalifa
Leri Price
FSG
This Is Not Miami
Fernanda Melchor
Sophie Hughes
New Directions
Abyss
Pilar Quintana
Lisa Dillman
World Editions
On a Woman’s Madness
Astrid Roemer
Lucy Scott
Two Lines
The Most Secret Memory of Men
Mohamed Mbougar Sarr
Lara Vergnaud
Other Press
2023 National Book Awards Young People's Literature Longlists
The longlist for the 2023 National Book Award for Young People's Literature features titles with unexpected twists during vacations. Huda Fahmy's "Huda F Cares?" explores a Muslim girl's self-consciousness on a family trip to Disney World. Dan Santat's "A First Time for Everything" follows an awkward middle-school boy's love journey on a European class trip. Betty C. Tang's "Parachute Kids" delves into three Taiwanese siblings' immersion into American culture during a California visit.
Other books on the list tackle complex historical and scientific subjects. Dan Nott's "Hidden Systems" delves into the origins and environmental impact of societal infrastructure. Yohuru Williams and Michael G. Long's "More Than a Dream" highlights Black women's role in the March on Washington. Katherine Marsh's "The Lost Year" explores the Ukrainian Holodomor famine in the 1930s, resulting in millions of deaths. The below ten books were selected from 348 submissions by publishers, with all eleven authors receiving their first National Book Awards recognition.
Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow (Disney-Hyperion)
Gather by Kenneth M. Cadow (Candlewick)
Forget Me Not by Alyson Derrick (Simon & Schuster)
Huda F Cares? by Huda Fahmy (Dial)
Big by Vashti Harrison (Little, Brown)
The Lost Year: A Survival Story of the Ukrainian Famine by Katherine Marsh (Roaring Brook)
Hidden Systems: Water, Electricity, the Internet, and the Secrets Behind the Systems We Use Every Day by Dan Nott (Random House Graphic)
A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat (First Second)
Parachute Kids by Betty C. Tang (Graphix)
More Than a Dream: The Radical March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom by Yohuru Williams and Michael G. Long (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)
2023 National Book Awards Judges
The 2023 National Book Awards have assembled esteemed panels of judges to evaluate and honor outstanding literary works in the Translated Literature and Young People's Literature categories.
Translated Literature Panel
S.No
Name
1
Geoffrey Brock
2
Arthur Malcolm Dixon
3
Cristina Rodriguez
4
T. Denean Sharpley Whiting
5
Jeremy Tiang (Chair)
Young People's Literature Panel
S.No
Name
1
Sarah Park Dahlen
2
Kyle Lukoff
3
Claudette S. McLinn
4
Justin A. Reynolds
5
Sabaa Tahir
Host of National Book Awards 2023
The National Book Awards for 2023 originally extended an invitation to Drew Barrymore to host the 74th edition of the event. However, this invitation has been rescinded. This decision comes in the wake of recent developments regarding Barrymore's daytime talk show, "The Drew Barrymore Show."
It was announced earlier in the week that the show would commence filming and airing its fourth season, despite the ongoing strikes by the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA. As a result, the National Book Awards have chosen to reconsider their choice of host for the 74th ceremony.
When is the National Book Awards 2023?
The National Book Awards for 2023 have a significant timeline to mark on your literary calendar. The eagerly awaited finalists in all categories are set to be officially unveiled on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. This momentous announcement will build anticipation and excitement within the literary community and among book enthusiasts.
The grand culmination of this literary celebration will be the National Book Awards Ceremony, slated for November 15, 2023. This prestigious event is when the winners across various categories will be announced, honoring the exceptional talent and creativity within the world of literature. It's a date to celebrate and recognize the outstanding contributions of authors and their remarkable literary works.
National Book Awards 2023 - FAQs
The National Book Awards are prestigious literary awards in the United States that recognize outstanding books in various categories. They were first established in 1936 by the American Booksellers Association, paused during World War II, and then re-established in 1950.
To be eligible for the National Book Awards, books must be published in the United States during the award year. Non-U.S. authors and publishers were eligible for pre-war awards, but now they are presented exclusively to U.S. authors.
Expert panels of judges, comprised of prominent figures in the literary world, review the submissions and select finalists in each category. The winners are announced during the National Book Awards Ceremony.
The National Book Awards include categories for Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Translated Literature, and Young People's Literature. Each category recognizes excellence in its respective genre.
The finalists for the National Book Awards 2023 are set to be revealed on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, with the winners being announced during the National Book Awards Ceremony on November 15, 2023.