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The PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction longlist is here, and I couldn’t be happier!
This is one of my favorite literary prizes to follow, and I love seeing which books make the cut each year.
That said (as usual) I haven’t read a single book on the longlist yet.
But that just means I get to go in with fresh eyes and see what all the hype is about and make my own predictions.
This year’s judges are a solid lineup:
- Bruce Holsinger, who writes historical fiction with a thriller twist.
- Deesha Philyaw, whose The Secret Lives of Church Ladies was a fantastic read (and won this award in 2023!).
- Luis Alberto Urrea, an incredible writer who brings so much depth to the Mexican-American experience.
I’ll be reading as many of the longlisted books as I can in the next few weeks and making my own predictions before the finalists are announced in early March.
Then comes the real anticipation—who’s winning in April?
Here are the key dates to keep in mind:
- February 3, 2025 – Longlist announced
- Early March 2025 – Finalists revealed
- April 2025 – Winner announced
- May 15, 2025 – The 45th Annual PEN/Faulkner Award Celebration
I’ll be updating this page as the award season unfolds, so check back for more updates and predictions!
Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner
Sadie, a sharp and cunning American woman, is working undercover in France, spying on a group of anarchists.
She’s great at playing the game—she seduces, lies, and controls situations like a pro.
But then she meets Bruno, a mysterious mentor to these activists, and suddenly, she’s not so sure she’s the one in charge anymore.
It’s dark, fast-paced, and filled with sharp observations about power and history.
If you love clever, tension-filled stories where nothing is quite as it seems, this sounds like a wild ride.
Devil Is Fine by John Vercher
Imagine inheriting land from a family you barely know—only to find out it used to be a plantation. That’s the reality for the main character in this novel.
He’s biracial, grieving a sudden loss, and now stuck with a piece of history that’s painfully complicated.
This book dives into race, family, and identity, blending dark humor with deep emotions.
It sounds like one of those stories that will stay with you long after you’ve finished the last page.
James by Percival Everett
This is Huck Finn’s story—but told from Jim’s perspective. And honestly, it’s about time.
Jim, an enslaved man, runs away to avoid being sold, and along the way, he and Huck set out on that famous journey down the Mississippi River.
But this time, we get to see Jim as a fully realized character—intelligent, thoughtful, and strong in his own right.
It’s both funny and heartbreaking, and it reclaims a classic in a way that feels long overdue.
This could easily become a must-read for modern literature.
Ghostroots by ’Pemi Aguda
This one gives me chills. It’s a collection of eerie, unsettling stories set in Lagos, where the everyday collides with the supernatural.
A woman starts resembling her sinister grandmother, an architect stumbles into a haunted house, and a strange illness sweeps through a neighborhood.
Each story blends folklore, horror, and deep human emotions.
If you love stories that make you question what’s real and what’s lurking just beneath the surface, this might be perfect.
Small Rain by Garth Greenwell
This is one of those deeply introspective novels that makes you slow down and really think.
A writer suddenly falls ill, and as he’s stuck in the ICU, he begins to reflect on his life, love, and art.
The novel stretches time—one moment he’s battling the American healthcare system, the next he’s lost in memories of poetry and music.
It sounds like a book that will make you feel everything at once—fragile, hopeful, heartbroken, and alive.
The History of Sound by Ben Shattuck
A story collection that plays with time, memory, and hidden connections.
Each story has a companion piece that reveals new truths, which is such a cool concept.
One tale follows two men recording folk songs in Maine during WWI, and decades later, someone finds their recordings, which brings history back to life.
This feels like a book for people who love deep, layered storytelling—where tiny details hold big meanings.
Behind You Is the Sea by Susan Muaddi Darraj
Set in a Palestinian American community in Baltimore, this novel follows three families as they manage love, expectations, and the struggles of fitting into a new world.
There’s family drama, generational clashes, and personal awakenings, all wrapped up in a beautifully human story.
It sounds funny, heartbreaking, and full of warmth—the kind of book that makes you feel like you’ve lived in its world by the end.
The Mighty Red by Louise Erdrich
A wedding, a love triangle, family struggles, and the looming presence of nature’s power—this book weaves it all together with humor and heart.
The story follows a group of people in North Dakota dealing with love, loss, and big life decisions, all while the world around them is shifting.
Erdrich is known for her beautiful storytelling, and this seems like another deeply moving novel about ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances.
There Is a Rio Grande in Heaven by Ruben Reyes Jr.
This collection of stories takes reality and twists it just enough to feel surreal.
A man wakes up to find he’s suddenly a famous reggaetón star. A grandmother slowly turns into a puppet.
The past, present, and future blur together as characters deal with migration, identity, and the way life changes in ways we don’t expect.
It sounds bold, playful, and packed with heart—definitely a fresh and exciting debut.
Colored Television by Danzy Senna
A struggling writer in LA tries to make it big in Hollywood but ends up caught in a mess of identity, race, and ambition.
She lands a deal to create a groundbreaking biracial comedy for TV, but things spiral out of control fast.
It’s a sharp, darkly funny story about success, failure, and the chaos of the entertainment industry.
If you love stories about messy, complex characters trying to figure it all out, this one sounds like a winner.
There’s such a great mix of books here—thrillers, family sagas, eerie short stories, and deep, thought-provoking novels.
I’m especially drawn to Ghostroots (because creepy Lagos stories? Yes, please!) and James (finally giving Jim the depth he deserves).
Which ones are calling to you?
