Episode · The Book Review · 2025-11-21
Books mentioned on Welcome to Literary Award Season
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
-
James
James by Percival L.
Discussed“I do think that James is a total exception in the sense of being commercially viable, obviously worthy. It just hits so many marks”
Where to get it
-
The economy of prestige
Discussed“James English who's an English professor I think at U Penn, wrote a book called The Prestige Economy about awards about 15 years ago and it's really great.”
Where to get it
-
Milkman
Milkman by Anna Burns is a formally inventive, stream-of-consciousness novel set during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, following a young woman harassed by an older, powerful paramilitary figure known as the milkman.
Discussed“I remember like Milkman, the Anna Burns novel only which I love. This came out of maybe 10 years ago.”
Where to get it
-
The Land in Winter
Discussed“Well, The Land in Winter is a kind of old-fashioned psychological novel beautifully precise.”
Where to get it
-
Audition
Discussed“Can I tell you one book that I was really surprised by how popular it was and that is Audition by Katie Kitamura.”
Where to get it
-
The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother)
Discussed“So in fiction Rabih Alameddine won for his novel The True Story of Raja the Gullible and his mother.”
Where to get it
-
One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This
One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad is an impactful award-winning book that addresses urgent contemporary themes and critical social issues.
Discussed“In non-fiction Omar El Akkad won for One Day Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This.”
Where to get it
-
Patricia Smith Performs Always in the Head and Selected Poems
Discussed“The poetry prize went to Patricia Smith for The Intentions of Thunder New and Selected Poems.”
Where to get it
-
We Are Green and Trembling
Discussed“In translated literature Gabriela Cabezón Cámara and her translator Robin Myers won for We Are Green and Trembling.”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (4) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
Passing Martyr!
“We were spoiled by that and Martyr too, I think maybe.”
Passing Paco's story
“Some book that nobody's ever heard of called Paco's Story won that year.”
Passing Beloved
“This is for Beloved by the way.”
Passing Flashlight
“I realize we haven't mentioned Flashlight by Susan Choi. That was another finalist.”