Join us for our annual BPL Book Prize Shortlist Reading & Panel, featuring the shortlisted authors for 2025 BPL Book Prize.

Fiction shortlist:

The Volcano Daughters by Gina María Balibrera

Hum by Helen Phillips

In Universes by Emet North

Nonfiction/poetry shortlist:

Forest of Noise: Poems by Mosab Abu Toha

Life and Death of the American Worker: The Immigrants Taking on America’s Largest Meatpacking Company by Alice Driver

Survival is a Promise: The Eternal Life of Audre Lorde, by Alexis Pauline Gumbs

Each fall, BPL honors outstanding works of nonfiction/poetry and fiction. Selected by librarians and staff, who draw on their broad knowledge of literature and the many populations they serve, the BPL Book Prize recognizes writing that captures the spirit of Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Public Library Book Prize was established in 2015 by the Brooklyn Eagles, young, engaged Brooklynites who are passionate about the library and work to engage new patrons.

This talk will feature the 2025 shortlist nominees in conversation with Jessica Harwick, prize judge and BPL librarian. On Sunday, Sept 21, the winners will take part in a panel in conversation with one another and a Brooklyn author at the Brooklyn Book Festival. Past winners include Kaveh Akbar, Blair L.M. Kelley, Catherine Lacey, Lamya H, Xochitl Gonzalez, and Threa Almontaser.