Here Are 6 Great Books With a Brooklyn Connection

BROOKLYN, NY — The Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) has announced the final six books eligible for this year's Brooklyn Eagles Literary Prize.

The $2,500 award is given to the author of one non-fiction and one fiction work, so long as that writer "has lived in Brooklyn, portrayed the borough in their work or addressed themes relevant to its life and culture."

The works were selected by the Brooklyn Eagles, a group of library supporters that work to promote the BPL and better connect its branches and the public.

Here are this year's final six contestants. First, for fiction:

• Don't Let My Baby Do Rodeo by Boris Fishman
• Ways to Disappear by Idra Novey
• Bright Lines by Tanwi Nandini Islam

And for non-fiction:

• Lockdown on Rikers by Mary E. Buser
• Sunny's Nights by Tim Sultan
• Kill 'Em and Leave: Searching for James Brown by James McBride

As an example of the works' Brooklyn ties: Idra Novey, the author of Ways to Disappear, is currently teaching creative writing at LIU Brooklyn; Tanwi Nandini Islam, who wrote Bright Lines, graduated from Brooklyn College and lives in the borough; and James McBride, a musician and screenwriter who also authored Kill 'Em and Leave, is a Brooklyn native.

The winner in each category will be announced at a BPL fundraiser on Oct. 21.

Top photo courtesy of Thomas Galvez/Flickr