National Book Critics Circle Awards Announced

Posted on March 16, 2001

The National Book Critics Circle, founded in 1974, consists of nearly 700 active book reviewers, interested in communicating with one another about common concerns. In recent years, the NBCC has made efforts to become a truly national organization by offering forums in locations outside of New York.

The centerpiece of NBCC activities is the annual awards for the best book in five categories: fiction, general nonfiction, biography/autobiography, poetry, and criticism. Each year the organization also salutes the most accomplished reviewer, from within the membership, with the Nona Balakian Citation for Excellence in Reviewing.

Best Fiction Award: Being Dead by Jim Crace (Farrar, Straus, & Giroux)
Best Nonfiction Award: Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing by Ted Conover (Random)
Best Biography Award: Hirohito and the Making of Modern Japan by Herbert P. Bix (HarperCollins)
Best Poetry Award: Carolina Ghost Wood by Judy Jordan (Louisiana State University Press)
Best Criticism Award: Quarrel & Quandary by Cynthia Ozick (Knopf)

The National Book Critics Circle (NBCC) can be found online at: www.bookcritics.org. In addition to information about the awards, the website also includes an online newsletter for book critics, links to book-related resources and membership information.