National Book Award for Fiction Winner Reaction for 2024

[@MJ-in-Canada]

“It’s dangerous to adore people you don’t actually know.” And yet here we are, feelin’ the love for YOU.🥰😁

[@marciajohansson769]

same. Glad I am not the only one! My daughter teases me about my "parasocial" friends. Haha. With Greg, Joel and Teddy how could you not adore them.

[@skylark1250]

Well I don’t want to sound mushy but I love these guys too! And Teddy.

[@jordana99]

And Barbara Kingsolver!

[@annegibson6072]

I am so happy that Percival Everett finally got the recognition that he deserves. I can't help but feel he has not won a Booker because his work appeals to more of an American audience. Percival Everett is an author that I would enjoy having a cup of coffee with.

[@StephaniePatterson-jb5it]

I agree. I've been reading his books for years and when I would mention him to others, they would just look blankly. He's such an inventive writer. I hope he wins every prize in sight. I think you're probably right about the Booker

[@timtonruben359]

@@StephaniePatterson-jb5it Yeah as someone based in the UK, I can say fairly confidently that James, although a great novel, doesn't have the same traction here. It's very much based in more American mythology.

[@mradcaqbdb]

Yay! Big 😁 when I saw the banner announcing a new video from you! I really hope you understand the joy you bring. 💜

[@Ali-AvidReader]

Am so glad James won especially as it missed out on the Booker Prize!

[@mercedehb4257]

Thx for always making time to post in real time. I did watch the ceremony and have to agree it was very well done and way better then the other book awards.. and wow I loved the diversity, amongst which most notable were two muslim arab American women! I was delighted to see that and have now become a huge fan of the national book foundation. It's not everyday that you see such inclusion in America. Look forward to reading James, as I'm still waiting on my library hold. Thanks again for your effort on this channel... much appreciated. 😊

[@maryshimp2664]

I missed the live show but was so glad your video popped un in my feed. I too have been depressed since election day! We of like minds need to bad together, stay strong together, and as my grandmother said, what doesn’t kill us will make us stronger! Hang in there, love your channel!

[@HannahsBooks]

I love that Kate McKinnon hosted it! And I am so pleased-and not at all surprised-that Everett won. I do wonder if James is such a distinctly American book, too much so for the Booker.

[@readandre-read]

I was overjoyed for Percival Everett! I didn't realize the broadcast would be so long but I enjoyed it. Barbara Kingsolver's speech was stellar; she is a national treasure indeed.

[@cmleidi]

I'm thrilled about the poetry win because I interned at the University of Akron Press and the editor there is wonderful. Thrilled for Percival Everett and what a good speech. Taiwan Travelogue is excellent. Sending positive vibes to you and Joel.

[@dqan7372]

One of the winners, Taiwan Travelogue, is published by Gray Wolf Press. Maybe that influenced Everett to mention them. Or not. He does seem like a classy guy.

[@goldagabriel5506]

I agree about Barbara Kingsolver. I am new to her work, but in the last few months, I read two of her books, and binged all youtube videos with her in it. Her writing is beautiful and always with a hopeful note.

[@carolnash5617]

The Bean Trees is one of my all time favorites, it was the first i had heard of Barbara K. I have watched a number of interviews and speeches of hers on YT, and i cannot get enough of her. In fact, she is the number one person, living or dead, that i would want to have lunch/dinner with! My absolute favorite of hers is Animal, Vegetable, Mineral... it is a memoir of her family of a year long experiment of only eating food grown within a few miles of where they live.

[@hissykittycat]

Omg YESSSSSSS!!! The Poisonwood Bible is one of my all time favorite books, but it kind of traumatized me when that thing happens. I burst into tears and couldn't open the book for weeks. I eventually forgave her for what she did, but that is the power of her writing. I adore the human she is.

[@LisaKrogman]

Greg, I don't know you, but actually adore you, Joel and Teddy. At least what you allow us to see, which seems kind, smart and authentic. I'm inclined to adore a person with a room devoted to books. I've been a Barbara Kingsolver fan since I picked Animal Dreams off the library shelf and have to say, that remains a favorite of mine. Her non-fiction High Tide in Tucson and Animal Vegetable Miracle are both just wonderful. I've also commented before, she founded the Bellwether Prize and it has had some great, great books. Often not light reading, but thoughtful, interesting reads. This time is hard and depressing and infuriating, her words are a balm.

[@pwhitters]

The Bean Trees has my favourite opening line of all times ! Like you The Poisonwood Bible is my fav. Amazing writer ❤.

[@tracinha6935]

I just went to Raven this past weekend. One of my absolute favorites 💜

[@SupposedlyFun]

I'm jealous!

[@marciajohansson769]

ooh, here it is! I was driving home last night when I heard James had won The National book award. I have already put a hold on the nonfiction selection Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Smuggling. I do have a copy of James and really need to get to it! Hope you are OK, I am with you, it has been a tough few weeks. Take care of yourselves.

[@lindylouwho550]

I have so much love for James - I've read it twice and will absolutely read it again ❤ Couldn't agree more with you regarding The Poisonwood Bible......I read it years ago and still think about it. ❤

[@ariannefowler455]

I struggled with Martyr as a finalist. It read like a debut novel that needed a lot of editing. That being said, I thought it might win based on its subject matter. I'm thrilled James won and am so happy for Percival Everett. Kingsolver's speech was definitely a highlight of the ceremony.

[@SupposedlyFun]

Kingsolver's speech was so good!

[@bkhollyr]

Barbara Kingsolver made me cry TOO!! Like a full on cry. I screamed when James won...I have been recommending it to EVERYONE since it came out. I'm so happy for him and trying not to think about how badly I'm going to fangirl out when I see Percival Everett at an event tonight in NYC. ETA: I just moved and all of my books are still in boxes....so now I'm off to unpack the books of hers that I have but haven't read yet. Based on your enthusiasm!

[@TiggerTellsTales]

Please read and do a deep dive on Martyr! I’m reading it for the second time in hopes that I can actually decide how it ended 😂. There are arguments for both sides but I won’t say more. Definitely in my top reads of 2024.

[@alldbooks9165]

Hooray for James!!! 😀🎉

[@lynniepie52]

You made me laugh, your initial feelings about James were my initial feelings about demon copperhead… but the longer we sit with the book the broader our vision is of the book. I loved the Lacuna It’s one of my all-time favorites and I do have the poison wood Bible and I need to pick it up.

[@megansmiley9540]

I'm going to have to look up Barbara Kingsolver's speech. I absolutely love her work! Demon Copperhead is one of my favorite books. I've also read and enjoyed Prodigal Summer, The Poisonwood Bible, and The Bean Trees.

[@SupposedlyFun]

Her speech was so good.

[@jordana99]

I’m also a fan of Matrix and Interpreter of Maladies! Hoping I can find Kingsolver’s speech online.

[@andreluissoriano]

Please read The Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver. She’s my favorite author. She hits all the right spots. I have a shelf just for her.

[@mradcaqbdb]

Demon Copperfield? 🤔🤣 I’m always sad when an author moves up to one of the big publishers after being nurtured by a small indie publisher. I understand why it happens, but I feel bad for the small presses when it does. It was lovely to hear that Everett thanked Graywolf Press. That’s a classy move. I’m glad that James won. My thoughts on it go up and down with time. I know it won’t be my favorite book of the year, but it’s a worthy winner and I do love Everett as an author.

[@TdubWhite]

Greg. I highly recommend you read Gather by Kenneth Cadow because it is a Young Adult fiction version of one of your favorite books.

[@SupposedlyFun]

I have heard of the book and thought it sounded good. What book is it based on?

[@browngirlreading]

The Poisonwood Bible is my favorite from BK as well. I did like The Lacuna and Unsheltered. I still need to read Demon Copperhead.

[@t0dd000]

I read Rushdie. I'm shocked he didn't win. But then again, I don't read the competition. I'm sure they were all wonderful. I was eager to read James as soon as I heard he premise (in a huge fan of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as well). I got it the day it was released and read it right then and there. I put it down and knew that it would win some major prize. Great book.

[@jeanninethompson6243]

📚 not surprised

[@FrankOdonnell-ej3hd]

Have heard a lot about it and will probably read it surprised it didn’t win booker⚛❤

[@booksandbags]

I'm so happy for Percival Everett and James. I love nonfiction and found Soldiers and Kings the most compelling read on the NF list. Knife was my least favorite, so I was happy with the result.

[@TKTalksBooks]

THREE CHEERS FOR GRAYWOLF PRESS!

[@SupposedlyFun]

They did so much for Percival Everett's career! I'm so glad he gave them a shoutout.

[@atentut1486]

I watched the ceremony and appreciated the format as it was better than the Booker. I felt the Booker should just be completely live-streamed. I’m glad James won as I really enjoyed that book and it sucked me in. I hope James goes on to the Pulitzer. Great Reaction video friend!

[@Itismebruna]

I need to prioritize James asap! Wanted to read Huckleberry Finn first and never start this project😂

[@irena7777777]

Glad it won as it should have took the Booker imo. I enjoyed Orbital but James is better. At least I think it was. Different obviously but still

[@TiggerTellsTales]

James, congrats to Percival Everett!! Tbh Martyr! Definitely was my pick for this award but I may be less inclined to award the top awards to reimagined works. Demon (also reimagined) is an important book - so many kids grow up like this, including me. I did find it relentlessly negative so I read it in sections.

[@shannongeier8155]

I know it's late with in the game but could we change "Supposedly Fun" to "Fiction Guy"?!?! PLEASE!!!!! After seeing American Fiction, I ended up reading/listening too several Percival Everett books. They are not for everyone. They can be a little off kilter, but I adored them. James, which is also wonderful, is a rare, straightforward narrative and is beautiful and powerful and painful and deserving of everything it wins.

[@amyschmelzer6445]

I set an alarm and watched the announcement ceremony. As a person who does not watch award shows for tv, movies, plays, music, etc I did not care for the format. Cut to the chase. Tell me who won already. I don’t need the rest. However, I did like the acceptance speeches. I want to check out the nominees for the translated works because that’s a weak area in my reading.

[@spexi513]

Love Kingsolver , hype James won & reallyyyyyy hope it wins the Pulitzer- I can think of no other 📕 so appropriate for a win this year . TYSM as ever Mr. Greg. 📖 🪱 💔 🤍 💙

[@edparks9089]

I was not surprised by JAMES receiving the National Book Award for Fiction, but I was still disappointed. I happen to be a big fan of the writing of Percival Everett, but I am not a fan of JAMES. In my opinion, everyone would be much better served by reading or re-reading Mark Twain's ADVENTURES OF HUCKELBERRY FINN. Truthfully, I was hoping MY FRIENDS would win the NBA, paving the way for MARTYR to win the Pulitzer Prize,

[@shylanambiar4316]

I was looking forward to buying James, since I've read Huckleberry Finn and Finn, but now I won't be. My problem with Everett is that he signed onto a boycott of Israeli publishers and writers because of his pro-Palestinian stance. I don't care what a writer's politics are, but to sign onto discourage free speech and silence writers and publishers because of their nationality or ethnicity was too much for me to take. It seemed hypocritical, and embarrassing. So no James.