The finalists for the 75th annual National Book Awards have been announced, and the lineup is nothing short of exceptional. Among the finalists are Salman Rushdie’s memoir “Knife,” which explores his near-fatal stabbing, and Percival Everett’s revisionist historical novel, “James.”

Other nominees include author-filmmaker Miranda July for her explicit novel on middle age, “All Fours,” and celebrated Canadian poet Anne Carson for “Wrong Norma.” The diverse selection promises a night of literary celebration and recognition of outstanding talent.

In fiction, the finalists showcase a range of voices and styles, from Pemi Aguda’s debut story collection, “Ghostroots,” to Hisham Mayar’s “Friend,”a novel by the author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir “The Return. The fiction category is packed with talent and creativity that is sure to captivate readers.

Rushdie’s “Knife” marks the first National Book Award nomination for the acclaimed author, while Everett’s novel has already garnered critical acclaim and recognition. The diverse range of nominees across various categories promises an exciting and memorable event.

The awards ceremony will take place on Nov. 20 in Manhattan, with honorary prizes being presented to novelist Barbara Kingsolver and publisher-activist W. Paul Coates. The event promises to be a celebration of literature and a recognition of the outstanding works that have captivated readers around the world.