Valeria Luiselli, photo by Devin Yalkin, New York Times.
The finalists for the prestigious Kirkus Prize were announced today, and a memoir published by the Minneapolis publisher Coffee House Press is among the nonfiction finalists. "When Death Takes Something From You, Give it Back," by Naja Marie Aidt, translated by Denise Newman, is also long-listed for a National Book Award.
Other finalists include a memoir by Saeed Jones, who is coming to town in October for Talking Volumes. Jones' first book, "Prelude to Bruise," a collection of poetry, was published by Coffee House Press.
Fiction finalists include Valeria Luiselli's novel, "Lost Children Archive." Her previous books, "Tell Me How it Ends" and "The Story of My Teeth" were published by Coffee House Press and she is currently a contributing editor for the press.
Any book published in 2019 that earned a star from a Kirkus review is eligible for the awards, which are presented in three categories. Here's the full list of finalists. The winners will be announced Oct. 24 and will receive $50,000.
FICTION & LITERATURE
Cantoras, by Carolina De Robertis
The Other Americans by Laila Lalami