Today, the National Book Foundation and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation revealed the selected titles for the Science + Literature program. This initiative, now in its fourth year, is funded by a three-year grant from the Sloan Foundation worth $525,000.
Each year, the program honors three books that explore science and technology—one in fiction, one in nonfiction, and one in poetry. The winning authors receive $10,000 each and are celebrated at an event in March. The book eligibility criteria include being published in English by a U.S. publisher in the last three years. A committee, separate from the National Book Foundation’s staff, selects the winners.
This year’s committee featured a dynamic group of authors and scientists, including science journalist Sara Goudarzi, journalist Elizabeth Kolbert, biologist Beronda L. Montgomery, eco-poet Craig Santos Perez, and neuroscientist and writer Joshua Sariñana. Craig Santos Perez served as the chair of the committee.
Here are this year’s selected titles:
Fiction: The Last Animal by Ramona Ausubel
The committee praised Ausubel’s novel, highlighting its blend of personal struggle and environmental themes. They noted how it skillfully portrays a single mother and her teenage daughters as they confront both personal and global challenges. The story questions the implications of resurrecting the past and emphasizes our connection to the world around us.
Nonfiction: Lessons from Plants by Beronda L. Montgomery
This book illuminates the wisdom and strategies we can learn from plants. Montgomery delves into the lessons that nature offers regarding resilience and adaptability, urging readers to rethink human interactions with the environment.
Poetry: from unincorporated territory [åmot] by Craig Santos Perez
In his poetry, Perez reflects on the relationship between land and identity. His work often weaves together themes of colonization and cultural memory, presenting a powerful voice for marginalized communities.
These selections not only highlight remarkable creativity but also bridge the gap between literature and scientific understanding, making them essential reads for anyone interested in the intersection of these fields.
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