The finalists for the 75th annual National Book Awards have been announced, showcasing a diverse array of literary talents. Salman Rushdie's memoir 'Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder', detailing his near-fatal stabbing, and Percival Everett's historical novel 'James', which reinterprets 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn', are among the leading nominations. Other notable contenders include Miranda July for 'All Fours' and Anne Carson for 'Wrong Norma'. The National Book Foundation revealed the finalists across various categories, with winners to be announced at a ceremony in Manhattan on November 20, where honorary awards will also be given to Barbara Kingsolver and W. Paul Coates. The selection process involved narrowing down from initial long lists to five final nominees in each category. This year marks a significant anniversary for the National Book Foundation, celebrating 75 years of honoring outstanding literary contributions.