Barnes & Noble revealed the 12 finalists for its Book of the Year, an honor voted on by the retailer’s booksellers.
James McBride was named a finalist for The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, the winner of this year’s Kirkus Prize for fiction. Jesmyn Ward’s Let Us Descend, which was a Kirkus Prize finalist, also made the Barnes & Noble shortlist.
Amanda Peters’ The Berry Pickers, which recently won Barnes & Noble’s Discover Prize, was named a finalist, alongside R.F. Kuang’s Yellowface, Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing, and Rebecca Ross’Divine Rivals.
Two illustrated books were named finalists: The Puppets of Spelhorst, written by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Julie Morstad, and Zilot & Other Important Rhymes, written by Bob Odenkirk and illustrated by Erin Odenkirk.
Also making the shortlist were four nonfiction books: David Grann’s The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder; Katy Hessel’s The Story of Art Without Men; Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act: A Way of Being; and James Park’s Chili Crisp: 50+ Recipes to Satisfy Your Spicy, Crunchy, Garlicky Cravings.
Shannon DeVito, Barnes & Noble’s senior director of books, said in a statement, “Our booksellers have nominated a shortlist that is thoughtful, exciting and eclectic in nature.…These stories are a wonderfully varied mix deserving of the enthusiasm of readers everywhere.”
Barnes & Noble has named a Book of the Year annually since 2019. Past honorees include Paul McCartney for The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present and Bonnie Garmus for Lessons in Chemistry.
The winner of this year’s award will be announced on Nov. 13.
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
