On November 20, 2024, the National Book Awards hosted an engaging ceremony that was both formal and cozy. Attendees adorned in tuxedos and gowns gathered beneath the ornate ceilings as the audience enjoyed music from acclaimed performer Jon Batiste, who played the piano while guests toasted to literature.

The evening was truly festive, highlighted by the Empire State Building illuminating the night in a shade symbolic of the National Book Foundation. Book lovers mingled, drinks in hand, surrounded by stacks of their beloved novels.

This year, the foundation proudly named five winners across various literary genres. Percival Everett was awarded the prestigious National Book Award for fiction for his book “James,” a retelling of Huckleberry Finn.

In a time characterized by numerous book bans and challenges, the atmosphere resonated with a theme of resilience and hope.

The evening’s host, Kate McKinnon, humorously donned glasses “to appear smarter” in her signature style reminiscent of “Saturday Night Live.” Yet amidst her light-hearted banter, she paid homage to the courage of writers everywhere:

“Until we address issues like death, loneliness, conflict, and climate change, the tender-hearted will continue to share their insights on how to cherish our fleeting time on this fragile Earth,” McKinnon expressed. “In that sense, writing a book is nothing less than an act of compassion.”

Complete List of National Book Awards Winners

The National Book Foundation honors authors in categories including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, translated literature, and works for young readers. This year, a remarkable 1,917 books were submitted by various publishers. The decisions regarding the winners were made mere hours before the ceremony.

Here’s a rundown of the medalists, awardees, and their $10,000 cash prize:

“James” by Percival Everett received the National Book Award for fiction. After sharing that he had felt a bit down recently, Everett expressed hope upon seeing the enthusiastic crowd of book lovers. “But remember, hope alone cannot replace strategy,” he noted.

“Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Smuggling” by Jason De León won for nonfiction. De León poignantly mentioned he wished the migrants featured in his book could have joined him on stage to witness that “their voices are being heard.” He firmly rejected a future defined by “unbridled corruption, border walls, misogyny, mass deportations, transphobia, and climate change denial.”

“Something About Living” by Lena Khalaf Tuffaha won the poetry award. Tuffaha bravely spoke out against the ongoing conflict in Gaza and honored the “remarkably beautiful Palestinians lost to this world” and “those who continue to survive.”

“Taiwan Travelogue” by Yáng Shuāng-zǐ, translated from Mandarin Chinese by Lin King, was recognized for translated literature. The authors reflected on Taiwanese identity, with Shuāng-zǐ stating, “Writing about Taiwan’s past is a pathway to its future,” as translated by King.

“Kareem Between” by Shifa Saltagi Safadi won for young adult literature. Safadi addressed the ongoing wars and crises in Gaza, Sudan, Congo, and Syria and credited prior Muslim authors for inspiring her work. “I frequently encountered narratives where Muslims were depicted as the antagonists, and I’m thrilled to finally share a story featuring us as the protagonists,” she said.

Lifetime Achievement Awards presented to Barbara Kingsolver and W. Paul Coates

Barbara Kingsolver, known for her extensive body of work that spans fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, was honored with the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. Her imaginative retelling of David Copperfield, “Demon Copperhead,” secured the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2023.

Kingsolver’s remarks highlighted the impactful role of writers as agents of change, capable of shedding light on social injustices and challenging issues through their work.

“Throughout history, truth and love have faced many setbacks. Truth is often unwelcome, and love is inherently fragile,” Kingsolver stated. “However, truth is as undeniable as gravity or the light of the sun during an eclipse – regardless of the rules invented by people, it remains constant. And love will endure if we nurture it.”

W. Paul Coates, the founder of Black Classic Press and the father of author Ta-Nehisi Coates, received the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community. For almost five decades, Coates has been dedicated to reissuing lesser-known yet important works by and about individuals of African descent. As a former member of the Black Panther Party, he played a key role in creating the Black Panther Archives at Howard University.

“My ancestors valued the essential rights of freedom for all, including the right to express ourselves in our unique voices and styles without needing approval from those who wished to suppress us, stifle our dreams, ban our literature, and deny our humanity,” Coates remarked.