Summary
The 46th annual American Book Awards announced its winners, including Joy Reid and authors Percival Everett and John Edgar Wideman. The awards, given by the Before Columbus Foundation, honor diversity in American art and culture. Reid received an anti-censorship prize, and Wideman was recognized for lifetime achievement.
Key Facts
- The American Book Awards focus on celebrating diversity in American art and culture.
- Joy Reid, a former MSNBC host, received the anti-censorship prize.
- John Edgar Wideman won a lifetime achievement award.
- Percival Everett was recognized for his Pulitzer Prize-winning work "James."
- The Before Columbus Foundation, which gives the awards, was co-founded by Ishmael Reed in 1976.
- The foundation states the awards recognize literary excellence without set diversity quotas.
- Other winners include Kaveh Akbar, Danzy Senna, Claire Messud, Amy M. Alvarez, and Sarah Lewis.
- Penguin Random House editor Erroll McDonald received an editor/publisher award.
