We’re thrilled to report that today, the Library of Congress has announced that the 2025 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction will be awarded to Geraldine Brooks at the National Book Festival on Sept. 6.
One of the Library’s most prestigious awards, the annual Prize for American Fiction, honors an American literary writer whose body of work is distinguished by not only its mastery of the art, but also its originality of thought and imagination.
“One of the reasons we invited Geraldine Brooks to become the next Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction winner is how she makes readers feel. She invites readers into her narratives with such grace and infectious energy and helps us understand the lives of characters who might have lived in other times and other places,” said Acting Librarian of Congress Robert Randolph Newlen. “She has moved millions of American readers, and readers around the world. We are deeply honored that Geraldine is joining us to accept this prize.”
The award seeks to recognize strong, unique, enduring voices that, throughout long and consistently accomplished careers, have told us something about the American experience.
“I am honored by this wonderful prize from America’s greatest library,” said Brooks. “As a writer inspired by history, it is moving to be connected by the Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction to the institution created by John Adams for the very first Congress, saved by Thomas Jefferson after the conflagration of 1812, and carried into the present by visionary librarians who value inclusion, free expression and truth.”
Brooks, an author and journalist, was awarded the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for fiction for her novel “March.” Her other bestselling novels include “People of the Book,” “Caleb’s Crossing,” “The Secret Chord” and “Year of Wonders,” which has been translated into more than 30 languages. She will discuss her latest book, “Memorial Days,” at the 2025 National Book Festival. The memoir recounts the sudden death of her husband and her struggle to come to terms with loss. Brooks’ writing career has included both fiction and nonfiction, however Newlen’s appreciation for all of her books compelled him to invite her to accept this prize in a year when she has published nonfiction.
This is not the first time we have featured this years fiction prize winner at the festival–she came to the National Book Festival in 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2022! See below for videos of each of the programs:
Uniting book lovers for 25 years, the Library of Congress National Book Festival returns on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. The event is free and open to the public. Throughout the day, attendees will hear conversations with over 85 authors whose literary genres range from fiction to nonfiction, picture book to biography, poetry to young adult, and more. The festival will also offer activities and programs for families and book lovers of all ages. A selection of programs will be livestreamed, and recordings of all presentations can be viewed online following the festival.
Comments (5)
I love her work. I have already read Memorial Days. Very touching
I first met Geraldine when she was a correspondent for The Wall Street Journal in the Middle East. Her reporting and writing were always outstanding and captivating. Since then, I have followed her career and books with great admiration and awe. As an individual, an author, a friend and human being, Geraldine will always shine brightly.
Such a well-earned honor!
Well deserved honour for Geraldine Brooks. Her latest book Memorial Days is heartbreakingly beautiful. The world today needs writers and poets and music and good people, kindness and love more than ever before.
Kudos to the Library of Congress and to our friend Geraldine Brooks. Like Nora Boustany above I too have known Geraldine since our younger days in the Middle East as correspondents. To see her grit and creativity light up the literary world over the decades has been an astonishing pleasure, and how fitting that the Library of Congress has chosen her as the American fiction winner. And to bring her memoir “Memorial Days” to the National Book Festival this year and bring Tony Horwitz into the conversation — just completes the circle. Well done all. And thank you, LOC for your leadership.