The Longlist For Fiction Of 2019 National Book Awards Announced

The race for the title of the best writing in America has began. Established in 1950, The National Book Awards have finally announced this year's longlist for fiction. Ten nominees will compete to enter the circle of five finalists, which in turn will compete for the Award to be celebrated on November 20.

The longlist includes the novels of the writers who have already won The National Book Award (like Colton Whitehead three years ago), as well as debuts celebrating the diversity of America:

• Taffy Brodesser-Akner, Fleishman Is in Trouble Random House

• Susan Choi, Trust Exercise

• Kali Fajardo-Anstine, Sabrina & Corina: Stories

• Marlon James, Black Leopard, Red Wolf

• Laila Lalami, The Other Americans

• Kimberly King Parsons, Black Light: Stories

• Helen Phillips, The Need

• Julia Phillips, Disappearing Earth

• Ocean Vuong, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous

• Colson Whitehead, The Nickel Boys

Last year the Award for fiction went to The Friend by Sigrid Nunez.

The National Book Awards are destined not only for best Fiction but also for Nonfiction, Poetry, Translated Literature, and Young People’s Literature. You can take a look at all longlists here.

And meanwhile the winner is still unknown, we can hurry up and make our own judgement simply by reading this wonderful ten.