National Book Award Finalists Announced

The National Book Foundation has allowed one more book than usual to make its way onto the list of finalists for its annual National Book Award. “We made a mistake; there was a miscommunication,” explained the foundation's national director. “We could have taken one of the books away to keep it five, but we decided that it was better to add a sixth one as an exception, because they’re all good books.” The finalists for the 2011 award include Manning Marable, who died right before the release of his biography of Malcolm X, and the 26-year-old Téa Obreht. The winners will be announced in New York on Nov. 16. The full list of nominees can be seen here.