Hundreds of people attended the 2024 edition National Book Awardsbut despite the tuxedos, gowns and high gold ceilings, the 75th annual ceremony was more intimate than stuffy. Bibliophiles and publishers sang in unison before the performer Jon Batisteclinking their glasses as the Grammy-winning musician tickled the ivories.

Literature’s biggest night was celebrated in style: the Empire State Building lit up in the blue of the National Book Foundation while attendees dressed in their finery to take home drinks and treats. hard covers.

The foundation announced five winners across all genres on Wednesday. Percival Everett, author of Huckleberry Finn telling “James” won the coveted National Book Award for fiction.

Following prohibitions and challenges in registers, there was a clear – but sobering – theme of hope.

Host Kate McKinnon wore a pair of glasses “to feel smarter,” she joked in typical “Saturday Night Live” fashion. But between jokes, she paid tribute to the writers of the world:

“Until we solve the problems of death and loneliness and their by-products, war and climate change, sensitive souls will continue to offer their theses on how to make the most of our time fragile and fleeting on this burning planet surrounded by other scared hearts,” McKinnon told the audience. “And in that way, writing a book is nothing less than an act of kindness.”

National Book Awards winners: full list

The National Book Foundation recognizes winners in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, translated literature, and children’s literature. This year, publishers submitted a total of 1,917 books. The judges choose the winners just a few hours before the start of the ceremony.

Here’s who won a medal, statue and $10,000 at this year’s event:

Percival Everett’s “James” won the National Book Award for fiction. Noting that he had “felt down” over the past two weeks, Everett began his speech with a note of optimism after seeing the crowds of book lovers. “But it’s important to remember that hope is not a substitute for strategy,” he said.

“Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Trafficking” by Jason De León won the nonfiction prize. De León said he would have liked the migrant voices featured in his book to be on stage with him to see that “people are listening.” “I will not accept the dystopian American future of unchecked corruption, border walls, misogyny, mass deportations, transphobia and climate change denial,” he said.

“Something About Living” by Lena Khalaf Tuffaha won the poetry prize. The poet spoke out against the ongoing war in Gaza and honored “the profoundly beautiful Palestinians this world has lost” and “those who miraculously endure.”

“Taiwan Travelogue” by Yáng Shuāng-zǐ, translated from Mandarin Chinese by Lin King, won the National Book Award for translated literature. The authors spoke about Taiwanese identity saying, “I write about Taiwan’s past as a step toward its future,” said Shuāng-zǐ, translated by King.

“Kareem Between” by Shifa Saltagi Safadi won the children’s literature prize. The author condemned the ongoing crises and wars in Gaza, Sudan, Congo and Syria and paid tribute to Muslim authors who came before her. “I’ve seen books so many times where Muslims are the bad guys, and I’m happy to finally be able to write a story where we are the heroes,” she said.

Barbara Kingsolver and W. Paul Coates Recognized with Lifetime Achievement Awards

Barbara Kingsolver, author of dozens of books of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, received the Medal for her distinguished contribution to American letters. His 2022 retelling of David Copperfield, “Demon Copperhead,” won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

Kingsolver’s speech is a testament to the power of writers as disruptors who can shine a light on injustices and uncomfortable pressure points through literature.

“Truth and love have already been destroyed many times in history. Truth, because it’s often inconvenient, and love, because it’s vulnerable,” Kingsolver said. “But the truth is like gravity and the sun behind the eclipse: no matter what rules people make up, it is always there. And love stays alive if you take care of it.

W. Paul Coates, founder of Black Classic Press and father of author Ta-Nehisi Coates, won the literary award for outstanding service to the American literary community. For nearly 50 years, Coates has reissued obscure and significant works by and about people of African descent. As a former member of the Black Panther Party, he led the creation of the Black Panther Archives at Howard University.

“My ancestors… cherished the fundamental rights of free people everywhere, the right to speak with our own voice, in our own style without the permission of others, especially those who sought to keep us enslaved, to prohibit our aspirations, our books and our humanity. ” Coates said.

This article was originally published on USA TODAY: National Book Awards 2024: who won on the biggest literary evening?