A popular memoir and declaration written by Omar El Akkad, a Canadian journalist, has been named as one of the finalists for the prestigious National Book Award in the United States this year. The National Book Award, a renowned literary prize with a value of $10,000 USD (approximately 13,954.49 Cdn), is bestowed by the National Book Foundation to honor exceptional books across various categories such as fiction, nonfiction, poetry, translated literature, and young people’s literature.
Titled “One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This,” this nonfiction work marks the debut of Egyptian-Canadian writer Omar El Akkad. The book expands upon a statement he made on social media in the aftermath of the Gaza bombardment in the fall of 2023, reflecting on a future where everyone will regret not speaking out against injustices when it mattered.
El Akkad, a well-known journalist and author residing in Portland, Oregon, is recognized for his previous works such as “American War” and “What Strange Paradise.” The National Book Foundation recently announced the finalists for various categories, including fiction where authors like Megha Majumdar, Rabhi Alameddine, Karen Russell, Ethan Rutherford, and Bryan Washington are vying for the award with their diverse and captivating narratives set in different locations and time periods.
In the nonfiction category, Yiyun Li’s poignant “Things in Nature Merely Grow” and other notable works by Julia Ioffe, Claudia Rowe, and Jordan Thomas are competing for the esteemed recognition. The winners of the National Book Award will be unveiled at a gala event on November 19 in downtown Manhattan, where esteemed figures like George Saunders and Roxane Gay will also receive honorary accolades.
