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Mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate National Book Award Week from Nov. 7-14! This week-long celebration has been a tradition since 1950, when it was first established by the National Book Foundation to honor outstanding literary works and their authors. Whether you're a bookworm or simply appreciate a good read, this is the perfect time to discover new books and authors, attend readings and book signings, or even participate in book clubs with fellow literature lovers. So let's all come together and celebrate the power of words during this exciting week dedicated to books!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1950</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Inception of National Book Awards</div><div class='timeline-text'>The National Book Foundation established the National Book Awards to celebrate and recognize outstanding literary works.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1974</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Introduction of Category System</div><div class='timeline-text'>The National Book Awards introduced categories, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and young people's literature.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1983</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Goethe Medal for Art Spiegelman</div><div class='timeline-text'>Art Spiegelman became the first graphic novel artist to win a National Book Award, highlighting the importance of diverse literature forms.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1996</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Lifetime Achievement Award Instituted</div><div class='timeline-text'>The National Book Foundation introduced a lifetime achievement award to honor authors who have had a significant impact on the literary community.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2004</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Establishment of International Literature Award</div><div class='timeline-text'>The National Book Awards introduced the International Literature Award to recognize contributions to literature from around the world.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2013</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Digital Book Category Added</div><div class='timeline-text'>Reflecting advancements in technology, a new category for digital literature was added to the awards.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a book club meeting</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather your friends and family who love to read and have a book club meeting during National Book Award Week. Choose a book that has won a previous National Book Award and discuss it over some snacks and drinks.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a book reading or signing</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Check your local bookstore or library for any book readings or signings by authors who have won a National Book Award. This is a great opportunity to meet and support talented writers.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a book-themed scavenger hunt</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Get creative and design a scavenger hunt based on books that have won National Book Awards. Hide clues in different locations and have participants solve them to find the next clue leading to the final prize.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Donate books to a local school or library</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Celebrate National Book Award Week by giving back to your community. Donate books that have won National Book Awards to a local school or library to inspire a love for reading in others.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a book-inspired menu</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Get creative in the kitchen and design a menu inspired by books that have won National Book Awards. Have fun with it and try dishes from different cultures and time periods.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It celebrates literature and the power of books</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The National Book Award Week is a time to recognize and honor the incredible work of authors and their impact on our lives. Books have the ability to transport us to different worlds, expand our knowledge and understanding, and inspire us in countless ways.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It promotes diversity and inclusivity in literature</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The National Book Award includes categories for fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and young people's literature, ensuring that a wide range of voices and perspectives are represented. This not only celebrates diversity in literature but also encourages readers to expand their reading horizons.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It inspires a love for reading in people of all ages</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>By shining a spotlight on exceptional writers and their works, National Book Award Week can inspire people of all ages to pick up a book and discover the joys of reading. It also provides a platform for promoting literacy and the importance of reading in our society.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The National Book Awards started with only three categories</h3><p class='facts-content'>Debuting in 1950, the awards initially had three categories - fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. The award for young people's literature was added not until 1996.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Winners receive a bronze sculpture</h3><p class='facts-content'>In addition to the recognition, winners of the National Book Awards receive a bronze sculpture designed by the renowned craftsman Joel Shapiro.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Judy Blume received a National Book Foundation Medal</h3><p class='facts-content'>In 2018, beloved children's book author Judy Blume was awarded the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, recognizing her significant impact on the literary landscape.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Some winners were debut authors</h3><p class='facts-content'>Some notable authors won National Book Awards for their first novels, including Alice Walker for "The Color Purple" and Jonathan Franzen for "The Corrections."</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The award ceremony includes readings from finalists</h3><p class='facts-content'>The night before the awards are announced, all the finalists come together for a public ceremony where they read from their nominated works, offering attendees a unique experience.</p></div></div>
National Book Award Week is celebrated on November 7th every year. In 2024 National Book Award Week will occur on a Thursday.
2023
Nov 7
Tuesday
2024
Nov 7
Thursday
2025
Nov 7
Friday
2026
Nov 7
Saturday
2027
Nov 7
Sunday
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