Established in 1950, The National Book Awards are annual honors given to outstanding books written by Americans and published in the United States. Let us look closer at the five winners and their winning literary pieces of the recently concluded 2023 National Book Awards. 

Fiction: Blackouts by Justin Torres

In Torres's second work, the story revolves around an unnamed narrator and a dying individual named Juan Gay, who met as inmates in a psychiatric facility a decade ago. The narrator is in their mid-twenties while Juan is nearing the end of his life. Juan spends his final days in a deteriorating building, The Palace. After a mishap in his apartment, the narrator moves into Juan's run-down building, committing to completing Juan's unfinished project related to the 1941 research study 'Sex Variants: A Study in Homosexual Patterns' by George W. Henry, which draws on Gay's research. Juan's redacted copy of the book becomes a source of inspiration, offering a counternarrative to Dr. Henry's agenda and aiming to de-pathologize Henry's case studies.

Torres skillfully utilizes literary and artistic references, referencing a Carl Van Vechten photo and a children's book by Gay's partner, Zhenya, adding depth and layers to the narrative. Overall, Torres successfully infuses the story with creativity and possibility. 

Nonfiction: The Rediscovery of America: Native Peoples and the Unmaking of U.S. History by Ned Blackhawk

Yale historian Blackhawk presents a thorough study, emphasizing the significant role American Indians played in each century of U.S. historical development. The narrative covers the 16th-century arrival of Spanish explorers to French and British colonization efforts, highlighting the persistent challenges faced by Native communities, including violence and epidemics. Blackhawk argues that Native survival strategies influenced imperial ambitions and behavior, and the impact of Native Americans continued through various historical periods. Taking away Native American land and sending their children to government-funded boarding schools in the late 1800s and early 1900s resulted in a new group of activists who played a significant role in changing U.S. law and culture. This study offers an essential viewpoint on American history by combining a comprehensive historical overview with detailed looks at important events and people. 

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Poetry: from unincorporated territory [åmot] by Craig Santos Perez

Craig Santos Perez, an indigenous Chamoru poet-scholar from Guam, has crafted this unique series for over 15 years. Each collection is named 'from unincorporated territory' followed by a Chamoru word enclosed in square brackets, bridging Chamoru culture and the English language. In '[åmot],' Perez explores diverse themes, including self-care, reparations, ancestral wisdom, wildlife conservation, and personal experiences. Perez humorously suggests reading his poetry books to stay connected to their roots.

The poems often conclude by naming a medicinal plant in Chamoru, followed by its scientific form. Perez employs creative techniques such as rotated sentences, backward printing, and graphical representations. 

Translated Literature: The Words That Remain by Stênio Gardel

Gardel's heartbreaking debut novel is not just a love story but an expression of queer desire, struggle, and resilience in spaces outside of romantic love. The story revolves around an illiterate gay man drawn to a letter he received more than 50 years ago from his first love, Cícero. Raised in a poor area in Brazil, Raimundo has been unable to read the letter for most of his life. At 71, Raimundo has learned to read and revisit the letter he received long ago. The novel unfolds in Brazil's rural and urban settings, tackling themes like repression, violence, shame, survival, resilience, and eventual triumph. It explores how written language shapes our lives and relationships. 

Young People's Literature: A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat

Dan Santat chronicles a teen's journey from feeling invisible and vulnerable to becoming confident and empowered in this emotionally perceptive graphic novel memoir. The narrative highlights significant moments such as Fanta's first taste, first kiss, and first experience at a disco. Through vibrant panels, the novel captures the dreamy freedom of early experiences, the comedic aspects of teen antics, and the awe of encountering new places. As Santat discovers friendship and embraces his true self, the story unfolds as a tale of hope, relief, and the realization that the world is more expansive and supportive than he once thought.  

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