Each year, the National Book Awards are awarded to a book in 5 different categories: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, translation and children’s literature. This year’s winners will be announced on November 15 at the 74th National Book Awards in New York, which will be hosted by actor and literary advocate LeVar Burton. The list of finalists has been released, so now is a good time to check out some of these wonderful books before the ceremony!
One of the favorites in the fiction category is “This Other Eden,” a novel by Paul Harding about a small mixed-race community living on an island off the coast of Maine, whose members are forcibly removed (and, some , institutionalized) by state representatives favorable to eugenics. The story is based on the real island of Malago and its inhabitants, who were driven out in the early 1900s. The lyrical prose is reminiscent of the author’s book, “Tinkers,” which won the Pulitzer Prize in 2010. Another nominee is Hanna Pylväinen’s “The End of Drum Time,” which addresses similar themes of cultural injustice and Christian influence, but is set in a small village in Sweden.
For nonfiction, one of the most timely finalists is John Vaillant’s “Fire Weather: A True Story from a Hotter World,” which chronicles the devastating 2016 Fort McMurray fire that drove 88,000 people from their homes. homes and warns of the increased frequency and ferocity of fires. forest fires in the future. “Liliana’s Invincible Summer” is both a memoir and a true crime investigation by Cristina Rivera Garza, whose sister, Liliana, was murdered by an ex-boyfriend in Mexico when she was 20 years. As Cristina travels the country, following in her sister’s footsteps and searching for clues to find her killer, she draws attention to ongoing issues like femicide and systemic injustice.
Many of the nominees in the poetry category explore culture and identity. “From the Unincorporated Territory (Saina)” by Craig Santos Pérez uses visual and experimental poetry to illustrate the history, culture, trauma, and healing of the Chamorros in his native Guam. In “From From,” Monica Youn confronts racial identity, prejudice, and belonging from the perspective of an Asian American woman.
In the translation category, Bora Chung’s “Cursed Bunny” stands out, as it blends horror, science fiction, fairy tales, and humor into a unique and slightly bizarre compilation of stories. “Beyond the Door of No Return” by David Diop is another favorite, a historical fiction novel blending romance, adventure, and mystery. Finally, the youth category, which includes Huda Fahmy’s hilarious and masterfully titled “Huda F Cares” (sequel to her 2021 graphic novel “Huda F Are You?”), and the upcoming Wellness Graphic Memory out of the ordinary “A First Time for Everything” by Dan Santat.
These are just a few of the nominees, but you can view the full list at www.nationalbook.organd access all books through our library consortium.
Most requested books
1. “Tom Lake” by Ann Patchett
2. “Water Covenant” by Abraham Verghese
3. “Heaven and Earth Grocery Store” by James McBride
4. “The Exchange” by John Grisham
5. “Chemistry Lessons” by Bonnie Garmus
6. “None of This Is True” by Lisa Jewell
7. “The Woman in Me” by Britney Spears
8. “The Five Star Weekend” by Elin Hilderbrand
9. “Enough” by Cassidy Hutchinson
10. “Hello, Beautiful” by Ann Napolitano
Most requested DVDs
1. “Barbie”
2. “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1”
3. “Oppenheimer”
4. “Julius”
5. “Equalizer 3”
6. “The Miracle Club”
7. “Meg 2”
8. “Blue Beetle”
9. “Astray”
10. “Golda”
This week at the library
MONDAY – 9am-8pm, Crafternoon To-Go – This month we are making decorative wreaths from old books. Pick up your kit in the Makerspace while supplies last; 9am-8pm, Kids Take and Make – Pick up a bag of supplies in the Makerspace. One per child, please, while supplies last; 10am-10:30am, Mini Monets – Learn about Georgia O’Keefe while painting watercolor flowers in her style. This program is aimed at children aged 2 to 5; 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Quilting Group – Bring your supplies and practice your craft skills with others; 5:30-7:30 p.m., Monday Night Movie – Join us for a very special screening of this new film starring Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie, as your favorite doll couple. Popcorn will be offered.
TUESDAY – 1-2 p.m. and 4-5 p.m., Tween D&D – We now offer 2 Tuesday programs for tweens to play Dungeons and Dragons! Contact a librarian for details; 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Community Resource Advocate – Visit our volunteer Community Resource Advocate, who can help connect you with local services/resources; 4-5:30 p.m., Dungeons and Dragons – This program is for teens in grades 7-12; 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.; Knit and Crochet Group – a friendly yarn craft club.
WEDNESDAY – 10-10:30 a.m., Story Time – Join us for weekly story time; 10am-11am, Tech Social – Each meeting we will start with a guiding topic, then have time for questions and discussion. This program will take place on Zoom AND in person, but pre-registration is required; 10am-11am/4pm-5pm – Code with Sphero Bolt – Join us for this weekly program to develop your coding skills. This program is for students in grades 4-12; 4-5 p.m., Pride Club – Spend time with other LGBTQIA2+ teens and allies; 5-6 p.m., Tween D&D – Places are limited! Contact a librarian for details; 6-7:30 p.m., Cookbook Club – We will talk about the book “Dinner in One” by Melissa Clark while tasting the recipes we have prepared! Pre-registration is required; 6-7:30 p.m., Westerly Choir | Bach & Britten: A Pre-Concert Lecture – Discover the lives of JS Bach and Benjamin Britten, as well as their works Magnificat, BWV243 and the groundbreaking English cantata St Nicholas.
THURSDAY – 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., Homeschool Hangouts for Kids, Tweens, and Teens – It’s time for homeschool families to connect with each other, grouped by age; 3:30-4:30 p.m., D&D for Beginners – Join our Tween Librarian to learn the basics of Dungeons and Dragons; 4-5 p.m., Teen Manga & Anime Club – Draw, read, watch and discuss all things anime and manga; 4:30-7:30 p.m., Shoreline Robotics – Contact Jay at jay@shorelinerobotics.org for more information on this robotics team open to children in grades 7 to 12; 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Chess Club – Players of all levels are invited.
FRIDAY – 10:00-11:00 a.m., Project Outreach Veterans Assistance – Members of the organization are on hand to help veterans navigate available benefits and other services; 3:30-5:30 p.m., Shoreline Robotics – A robotics team open to children in grades 7-12.
SATURDAY – The library will be closed for Veterans Day.
Cassie Skobrak is an adult service librarian at Westerly Library and Wilcox Park.