It is a well-documented fact that humans love superlatives. We love assigning accolades to anything and everything—the best restaurants, the top models, the most beautiful buildings, the worst failures. The designations we give things are endless, and the disagreements over the assignations are almost as plentiful. It sometimes seems like that’s what the internet was invented to do—give people a place to argue about each other’s opinions on everything. And lists seem to be the internet's favorite way to share likes and dislikes.
One such opinion that is constantly thrown around is the best American author. How does one decide who earns that accolade? Is it by reviews or book sales or the number of awards an author receives? I personally don't believe it is possible to label just one American author as the best.
So, to curate a list of famous American writers who are also considered among the best American authors, I looked at a few things—current ratings for their works, their particular time periods in history, critical reception, their prevalence in the 21st century, and yes, the awards they won. Many of these authors are taught in school today, and hopefully, several more of them will be taught in school in the near future.
19th Century
Best Work: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876)
Home State: Missouri
A writer, entrepreneur, publisher, and lecturer, [Mark Twain](https://audible.com/author/Mark-Twain/B000APWHJ2) is considered America's greatest humorist. In fact, a humor award is handed out each year in his name.
Home State: Missouri
A writer, entrepreneur, publisher, and lecturer, [Mark Twain](https://audible.com/author/Mark-Twain/B000APWHJ2) is considered America's greatest humorist. In fact, a humor award is handed out each year in his name.
Best Work: The Awakening (1899)
Home State: Missouri
An author of short stories and novels, [Kate Chopin](https://audible.com/author/Kate-Chopin/B000AQ8SNA) is considered a pioneer of 20th-century American feminist authors of Southern or Catholic background. One of the most widely recognized writers of Louisiana Creole heritage, she was honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame in 1990.
Home State: Missouri
An author of short stories and novels, [Kate Chopin](https://audible.com/author/Kate-Chopin/B000AQ8SNA) is considered a pioneer of 20th-century American feminist authors of Southern or Catholic background. One of the most widely recognized writers of Louisiana Creole heritage, she was honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame in 1990.
Best Work: The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson (1890)
Home State: Massachusetts
[Emily Dickinson](https://audible.com/author/Emily-Dickinson/B000APVZCC) is arguably the most famous woman poet of all time. She lived her whole life in Massachusetts, largely as a recluse. Though she’s iconic today, only 10 of her nearly 1,800 poems were published during her lifetime.
Home State: Massachusetts
[Emily Dickinson](https://audible.com/author/Emily-Dickinson/B000APVZCC) is arguably the most famous woman poet of all time. She lived her whole life in Massachusetts, largely as a recluse. Though she’s iconic today, only 10 of her nearly 1,800 poems were published during her lifetime.
Best Work: The Wings of the Dove (1902)
Home State: New York
Though he became a British citizen in the last year of his life, [Henry James](https://www.audible.com/author/Henry-James/B000APYNL2?ref=a_search_c3_lAuthor_1_2_1&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=HD7507FHCZ344YNFD2R6) is regarded as one of the greatest American novelists of all time. He is also considered a key transitional figure between literary realism and literary modernism.
Home State: New York
Though he became a British citizen in the last year of his life, [Henry James](https://www.audible.com/author/Henry-James/B000APYNL2?ref=a_search_c3_lAuthor_1_2_1&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=HD7507FHCZ344YNFD2R6) is regarded as one of the greatest American novelists of all time. He is also considered a key transitional figure between literary realism and literary modernism.
Best Work: Moby-Dick (1851)
Home State: New York
A novelist, short story writer, and poet of the American Renaissance period, [Herman Melville](https://audible.com/author/Herman-Melville/B000AQ29JY) is widely considered to have been unappreciated in his time and throughout his life. His works garnered greater success after his death.
Home State: New York
A novelist, short story writer, and poet of the American Renaissance period, [Herman Melville](https://audible.com/author/Herman-Melville/B000AQ29JY) is widely considered to have been unappreciated in his time and throughout his life. His works garnered greater success after his death.
20th Century
Best Work: Invisible Man (1952)
Home State: Oklahoma
A literary critic, scholar, and novelist, [Ralph Ellison](https://audible.com/author/Ralph-Ellison/B000AP7ZM6) won the National Book Award in 1953 for Invisible Man. It was his only published novel, though he had written more than 2,000 pages of an unpublished second novel at the time of his death.
Home State: Oklahoma
A literary critic, scholar, and novelist, [Ralph Ellison](https://audible.com/author/Ralph-Ellison/B000AP7ZM6) won the National Book Award in 1953 for Invisible Man. It was his only published novel, though he had written more than 2,000 pages of an unpublished second novel at the time of his death.
Best Work: The Bell Jar (1963)
Home State: Massachusetts
[Sylvia Plath](https://www.audible.com/author/Sylvia-Plath/B000APTIGW) is an American poet, novelist, and short story writer. Perhaps her most influential work, *The Bell Jar* is a semi-autobiographical novel that was released in 1963, just one month before the writer died by suicide. In 1982, Plath was posthumously awarded the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry.
Home State: Massachusetts
[Sylvia Plath](https://www.audible.com/author/Sylvia-Plath/B000APTIGW) is an American poet, novelist, and short story writer. Perhaps her most influential work, *The Bell Jar* is a semi-autobiographical novel that was released in 1963, just one month before the writer died by suicide. In 1982, Plath was posthumously awarded the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry.
Best Work: Beloved (1987)
Home State: Ohio
A novelist, essayist, and college professor, [Toni Morrison](https://audible.com/author/Toni-Morrison/B000APT7NQ) entered the literary scene as the first Black female editor in fiction at Random House in New York City. She was the recipient of dozens of awards and commendations, including the Nobel Prize in Literature, which she won in 1993. She was the first—and remains the only—Black woman to have won the award.
Home State: Ohio
A novelist, essayist, and college professor, [Toni Morrison](https://audible.com/author/Toni-Morrison/B000APT7NQ) entered the literary scene as the first Black female editor in fiction at Random House in New York City. She was the recipient of dozens of awards and commendations, including the Nobel Prize in Literature, which she won in 1993. She was the first—and remains the only—Black woman to have won the award.
Best Work: East of Eden (1952)
Home State: California
[John Steinbeck](https://www.audible.com/author/John-Steinbeck/B000AQ2D1I?ref=a_search_c3_lAuthor_1_1_1&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=FKY56R2RV78GK24MYY8V) was a novelist, memoirist, and short story writer who published more than 33 books in the first half of the 20th century, many of which are now considered classics of the Western canon. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Home State: California
[John Steinbeck](https://www.audible.com/author/John-Steinbeck/B000AQ2D1I?ref=a_search_c3_lAuthor_1_1_1&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=FKY56R2RV78GK24MYY8V) was a novelist, memoirist, and short story writer who published more than 33 books in the first half of the 20th century, many of which are now considered classics of the Western canon. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Best Work: The Great Gatsby (1925)
Home State: Minnesota
[F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://audible.com/author/F-Scott-Fitzgerald/B000AQ0J28) was the most famous writer of the Jazz Age—a term that he popularized. The novelist, essayist, screenwriter, and short story writer was known as much for his lavish lifestyle as his literary works.
Home State: Minnesota
[F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://audible.com/author/F-Scott-Fitzgerald/B000AQ0J28) was the most famous writer of the Jazz Age—a term that he popularized. The novelist, essayist, screenwriter, and short story writer was known as much for his lavish lifestyle as his literary works.
Best Work: The Fire Next Time (1963)
Home State: New York
[James Baldwin](https://audible.com/author/James-Baldwin/B000APVA9U) was an award-winning novelist, playwright, essayist, poet, and activist Hailed as the voice of the civil rights movement, he was renowned for his incisive analysis of racism in Western society, particularly the United States.
Home State: New York
[James Baldwin](https://audible.com/author/James-Baldwin/B000APVA9U) was an award-winning novelist, playwright, essayist, poet, and activist Hailed as the voice of the civil rights movement, he was renowned for his incisive analysis of racism in Western society, particularly the United States.
Best Work: The Sound and the Fury (1929)
Home State: Mississippi
One of the South's most esteemed literary figures, [William Faulkner](https://audible.com/author/William-Faulkner/B000APYUP6) wrote novels, short stories, screenplays, poetry, essays, and a play. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1949.
Home State: Mississippi
One of the South's most esteemed literary figures, [William Faulkner](https://audible.com/author/William-Faulkner/B000APYUP6) wrote novels, short stories, screenplays, poetry, essays, and a play. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1949.
Best Work: To Kill a Mockingbird (1960)
Home State: Alabama
[Harper Lee](https://audible.com/author/Harper-Lee/B00456LE3M)'s only novel published during her lifetime, To Kill a Mockingbird is considered by many to be the greatest American novel of all time. It earned her the Pulitzer Prize in 1961.
Home State: Alabama
[Harper Lee](https://audible.com/author/Harper-Lee/B00456LE3M)'s only novel published during her lifetime, To Kill a Mockingbird is considered by many to be the greatest American novel of all time. It earned her the Pulitzer Prize in 1961.
Best Work: The Stand (1978)
Home State: Maine
One of the world's most successful and prolific writers, [Stephen King](https://audible.com/author/Stephen-King/B000AQ0842) has published more than 90 horror, suspense, crime, science fiction, and fantasy novels in his lifetime to date. Many of his best-selling books have been adapted into films and television series.
Home State: Maine
One of the world's most successful and prolific writers, [Stephen King](https://audible.com/author/Stephen-King/B000AQ0842) has published more than 90 horror, suspense, crime, science fiction, and fantasy novels in his lifetime to date. Many of his best-selling books have been adapted into films and television series.
Best Work: We Have Always Lived in the Castle (1962)
Home State: California
[Shirley Jackson](https://audible.com/author/Shirley-Jackson/B000AQ3IYE) was a prolific writer, known primarily for her works of horror and mystery. In addition to six novels and two memoirs, she published more than 200 short stories in just two decades, including “The Lottery,” widely deemed as one of the greatest American short stories of all time.
Home State: California
[Shirley Jackson](https://audible.com/author/Shirley-Jackson/B000AQ3IYE) was a prolific writer, known primarily for her works of horror and mystery. In addition to six novels and two memoirs, she published more than 200 short stories in just two decades, including “The Lottery,” widely deemed as one of the greatest American short stories of all time.
Best Work: The Long Goodbye (1953)
Home State: Illinois
[Raymond Chandler](https://audible.com/author/Raymond-Chandler/B000AQ4ZNW) is regarded as a founder of the hard-boiled school of detective fiction. Now considered one of the greatest masters of this literary genre, he started writing at age 44, after losing his job as an oil company executive during the Great Depression.
Home State: Illinois
[Raymond Chandler](https://audible.com/author/Raymond-Chandler/B000AQ4ZNW) is regarded as a founder of the hard-boiled school of detective fiction. Now considered one of the greatest masters of this literary genre, he started writing at age 44, after losing his job as an oil company executive during the Great Depression.
Best Work: Their Eyes Were Watching God (1937)
Home State: Alabama
[Zora Neale Hurston](https://audible.com/author/Zora-Neale-Hurston/B000AQ05M2) was an American author, anthropologist, and filmmaker, as well as a central figure of the Harlem Renaissance. Her nonfiction book Barracoon: The Story of the Last
Home State: Alabama
[Zora Neale Hurston](https://audible.com/author/Zora-Neale-Hurston/B000AQ05M2) was an American author, anthropologist, and filmmaker, as well as a central figure of the Harlem Renaissance. Her nonfiction book Barracoon: The Story of the Last
Black Cargowas published posthumously in 2018.
Best Work: The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter (1940)
Home State: Georgia
[Carson McCullers](https://audible.com/author/Carson-McCullers/B000APYAU6) was a Southern Gothic novelist, short story writer, playwright, essayist, and poet. Several of her works have been adapted for the screen and stage.
Home State: Georgia
[Carson McCullers](https://audible.com/author/Carson-McCullers/B000APYAU6) was a Southern Gothic novelist, short story writer, playwright, essayist, and poet. Several of her works have been adapted for the screen and stage.
Best Work: The Collected Stories of Eudora Welty (1980)
Home State: Mississippi
[Eudora Welty](https://audible.com/author/Eudora-Welty/B000AQ1XP0) was a short story writer, novelist, and photographer who wrote about the American South. Her novel The Optimist's Daughter won the Pulitzer Prize in 1973. She was the first living author to have her works published by the Library of America.
Home State: Mississippi
[Eudora Welty](https://audible.com/author/Eudora-Welty/B000AQ1XP0) was a short story writer, novelist, and photographer who wrote about the American South. Her novel The Optimist's Daughter won the Pulitzer Prize in 1973. She was the first living author to have her works published by the Library of America.
Best Work: Kindred (1979)
Home State: California
The first Black woman to dominate the genre, [Octavia E. Butler](https://audible.com/author/Octavia-E-Butler/B000AQ1SQE) is considered one of the greatest American science fiction writers of all time. In 1995, after winning multiple Hugo and Nebula awards, she became the first science fiction writer to receive a MacArthur Fellowship.
Home State: California
The first Black woman to dominate the genre, [Octavia E. Butler](https://audible.com/author/Octavia-E-Butler/B000AQ1SQE) is considered one of the greatest American science fiction writers of all time. In 1995, after winning multiple Hugo and Nebula awards, she became the first science fiction writer to receive a MacArthur Fellowship.
Best Work: The Age of Innocence (1920)
Home State: New York
[Edith Wharton](https://audible.com/author/Edith-Wharton/B00456E9BQ) was a novelist, short story writer, and designer who wrote about the upper class New York aristocracy of the Gilded Age. In 1921, she became the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Literature.
Home State: New York
[Edith Wharton](https://audible.com/author/Edith-Wharton/B00456E9BQ) was a novelist, short story writer, and designer who wrote about the upper class New York aristocracy of the Gilded Age. In 1921, she became the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Literature.
Best Work: O Pioneers! (1913)
Home State: Virginia
[Willa Cather](https://www.audible.com/author/Willa-Cather/B001IGOMDQ) achieved recognition for her novels of frontier life on the Great Plains. In 1923, she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for One of Ours, a novel set during World War I.
Home State: Virginia
[Willa Cather](https://www.audible.com/author/Willa-Cather/B001IGOMDQ) achieved recognition for her novels of frontier life on the Great Plains. In 1923, she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for One of Ours, a novel set during World War I.
Best Work: Cat's Cradle (1963)
Home State: Indiana
[Kurt Vonnegut](https://www.audible.com/author/Kurt-Vonnegut/B000APYE16?ref=a_search_c3_lAuthor_1_1_1&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=A83X0HMH3BZEWG4KVQPR) published 14 novels, three short story collections, five plays, and five works of nonfiction during his 50-year career. His work was often darkly humorous and satirical, and much of it was considered speculative fiction.
Home State: Indiana
[Kurt Vonnegut](https://www.audible.com/author/Kurt-Vonnegut/B000APYE16?ref=a_search_c3_lAuthor_1_1_1&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=A83X0HMH3BZEWG4KVQPR) published 14 novels, three short story collections, five plays, and five works of nonfiction during his 50-year career. His work was often darkly humorous and satirical, and much of it was considered speculative fiction.
Best Work: The Martian Chronicles (1950)
Home State: Illinois
[Ray Bradbury](https://audible.com/author/Ray-Bradbury/B000AQ1HW4) was one of the most famous and prolific American writers of the 20th century. He worked in a variety of genres, including fantasy, science fiction, horror, and mystery fiction.
Home State: Illinois
[Ray Bradbury](https://audible.com/author/Ray-Bradbury/B000AQ1HW4) was one of the most famous and prolific American writers of the 20th century. He worked in a variety of genres, including fantasy, science fiction, horror, and mystery fiction.
Best Work: The House on Mango Street (1984)
Home State: Illinois
[Sandra Cisneros](https://audible.com/author/Sandra-Cisneros/B000AP7PO4) is a novelist, short story writer, and poet whose vibrant stories exploring working-class lives make her a key figure in Chicana literature. Her numerous awards include a MacArthur Fellowship and the National Medal of the Arts.
Home State: Illinois
[Sandra Cisneros](https://audible.com/author/Sandra-Cisneros/B000AP7PO4) is a novelist, short story writer, and poet whose vibrant stories exploring working-class lives make her a key figure in Chicana literature. Her numerous awards include a MacArthur Fellowship and the National Medal of the Arts.
Best Work: Slouching Towards Bethlehem (1968)
Home State: California
[Joan Didion](https://audible.com/author/Joan-Didion/B000AQ4ZD2) is an award-winning essayist, memoirist, and novelist. She won the National Book Award for Nonfiction and was a finalist for both the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Biography/Autobiography.
Home State: California
[Joan Didion](https://audible.com/author/Joan-Didion/B000AQ4ZD2) is an award-winning essayist, memoirist, and novelist. She won the National Book Award for Nonfiction and was a finalist for both the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Biography/Autobiography.
Best Work: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969)
Home State: Missouri
[Maya Angelou](https://www.audible.com/author/Maya-Angelou/B000AQ8Q00) was a poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, and several books of poetry over her 50-year career. She received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees.
Home State: Missouri
[Maya Angelou](https://www.audible.com/author/Maya-Angelou/B000AQ8Q00) was a poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, and several books of poetry over her 50-year career. She received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees.
Best Work: The Left Hand of Darkness (1969)
Home State: California
A prolific writer, [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://www.audible.com/author/Ursula-K-Le-Guin/B000AQ2M2S) was best known for her works of science fiction and fantasy. Over the span of six decades, she published 21 novels, 12 children’s books, and more than 100 short stories, in addition to poetry, literary criticism, and translations.
Home State: California
A prolific writer, [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://www.audible.com/author/Ursula-K-Le-Guin/B000AQ2M2S) was best known for her works of science fiction and fantasy. Over the span of six decades, she published 21 novels, 12 children’s books, and more than 100 short stories, in addition to poetry, literary criticism, and translations.
Best Work: True Grit (1952)
Home State: Arkansas
A journalist and author, [Charles Portis](https://audible.com/author/Charles-Portis/B000APD732) was known as one of the greatest comedic writers of Western fiction. He released just five novels during his lifetime.
Home State: Arkansas
A journalist and author, [Charles Portis](https://audible.com/author/Charles-Portis/B000APD732) was known as one of the greatest comedic writers of Western fiction. He released just five novels during his lifetime.
Best Work: So Big (1924)
Home State: Michigan
[Edna Ferber](https://audible.com/author/Edna-Ferber/B000APSPT8) was a novelist, short story writer, and playwright whose works were adapted into films or musicals like the celebrated Show Boat. She won a Pulitzer Prize for her novel So Big.
Home State: Michigan
[Edna Ferber](https://audible.com/author/Edna-Ferber/B000APSPT8) was a novelist, short story writer, and playwright whose works were adapted into films or musicals like the celebrated Show Boat. She won a Pulitzer Prize for her novel So Big.
Best Work: The Master Butchers Singing Club (2003)
Home State: Minnesota
[Louise Erdrich](https://www.audible.com/author/Louise-Erdrich/B000APV798) is an award-winning writer of novels, poetry, and children's books featuring Native American characters and settings. She is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians and the owner of an independent bookstore in Minneapolis that focuses on Native American literature and the Native community in the Twin Cities.
Home State: Minnesota
[Louise Erdrich](https://www.audible.com/author/Louise-Erdrich/B000APV798) is an award-winning writer of novels, poetry, and children's books featuring Native American characters and settings. She is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians and the owner of an independent bookstore in Minneapolis that focuses on Native American literature and the Native community in the Twin Cities.
Best Work: The Secret History (1992)
Home State: Mississippi
[Donna Tartt](https://audible.com/author/Donna-Tartt/B000APY632) Donna Tartt is an acclaimed American author who has won a multitude of awards for her craft including the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for The Goldfinch in 2014. At just 29 years old, Tartt’s first novel The Secret History was greeted with such critical success that it set the stage for the rest of her career establishing her as something of a literary genius.
Home State: Mississippi
[Donna Tartt](https://audible.com/author/Donna-Tartt/B000APY632) Donna Tartt is an acclaimed American author who has won a multitude of awards for her craft including the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for The Goldfinch in 2014. At just 29 years old, Tartt’s first novel The Secret History was greeted with such critical success that it set the stage for the rest of her career establishing her as something of a literary genius.
21st Century
Best Work: The Good Lord Bird (2013)
Home State: New York
[James McBride](https://audible.com/author/James-McBride/B000AP9SB2) is a writer and musician. He was the recipient of the 2013 National Book Award for Fiction for his exceptional novel, The Good Lord Bird.
Home State: New York
[James McBride](https://audible.com/author/James-McBride/B000AP9SB2) is a writer and musician. He was the recipient of the 2013 National Book Award for Fiction for his exceptional novel, The Good Lord Bird.
Best Work: The Underground Railroad (2016)
Home State: New York
[Colson Whitehead](https://audible.com/author/Colson-Whitehead/B001IZ1GHW) is a novelist and essayist who has received two Pulitzer Prizes and a National Book Award, on top of dozens of other literary awards and honors. He has already secured his legacy as one of the greatest American writers of the 21st century.
Home State: New York
[Colson Whitehead](https://audible.com/author/Colson-Whitehead/B001IZ1GHW) is a novelist and essayist who has received two Pulitzer Prizes and a National Book Award, on top of dozens of other literary awards and honors. He has already secured his legacy as one of the greatest American writers of the 21st century.
Best Work: Bad Feminist (2014)
Home State: Nebraska
[Roxane Gay](https://audible.com/author/Roxane-Gay/B00IRQLJA4), is a best-selling author who has established herself as a leading modern feminist voice. While Gay has been writing since her teenage years, it was the success of her 2014 essay collection Bad Feminist that made her visible to the literary world. She has since released Hunger, Not That Bad, Ayiti, and Difficult Women, all books which center her characteristic rawness and which unpack what it means to exist as a woman in the world.
Home State: Nebraska
[Roxane Gay](https://audible.com/author/Roxane-Gay/B00IRQLJA4), is a best-selling author who has established herself as a leading modern feminist voice. While Gay has been writing since her teenage years, it was the success of her 2014 essay collection Bad Feminist that made her visible to the literary world. She has since released Hunger, Not That Bad, Ayiti, and Difficult Women, all books which center her characteristic rawness and which unpack what it means to exist as a woman in the world.
Best Work: The Known World (2003)
Home State: Washington, DC
[Edward P. Jones](https://audible.com/author/Edward-P-Jones/B000APXUPM) is an award-winning novelist and short story writer. His stories focus on the Black working class in 20th-century Washington, DC, while his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel deals with slavery in the Civil War era.
Home State: Washington, DC
[Edward P. Jones](https://audible.com/author/Edward-P-Jones/B000APXUPM) is an award-winning novelist and short story writer. His stories focus on the Black working class in 20th-century Washington, DC, while his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel deals with slavery in the Civil War era.
Best Work: Salvage the Bones (2011)
Home State: California
[Jesmyn Ward](https://audible.com/author/Jesmyn-Ward/B001JOW9NW) is a novelist, memoirist, and an associate professor of English. She received the National Book Award for Fiction twice, in 2011 and 2017, and a MacArthur
Home State: California
[Jesmyn Ward](https://audible.com/author/Jesmyn-Ward/B001JOW9NW) is a novelist, memoirist, and an associate professor of English. She received the National Book Award for Fiction twice, in 2011 and 2017, and a MacArthur
GeniusGrant.
Liberty Hardy is a Book Riot senior contributing editor and velocireader in the great state of Maine, where she reads 500-600 books a year and lives with her three cats, who hate to read.