Judges in this round read all four novels in their assigned group, then rank those titles. Votes are due Monday, Sept. 9.
Group A
All the Colors of the Dark — Chris Whitaker Anita de Monte Laughs Last — Xochitl Gonzalez The Husbands — Holly Gramazio Annie Bot — Sierra Greer
Group B
Table for Two — Amor Towles The Museum of Failures — Thrity Umrigar The Ministry of Time — Kaliane Bradley Land of Milk and Honey — C Pam Zhang
Group C
This Strange Eventful History — Claire Messud North Woods — Daniel Mason Crook Manifesto — Colson Whitehead The Cemetery of Untold Stories — Julia Alvarez
Group D
Lies and Weddings — Kevin Kwan Family Lore — Elizabeth Acevedo Beautyland — Marie-Helene Bertino The Vaster Wilds — Lauren Groff
Group E
The Future — Naomi Alderman A Short Walk Through a Wide World — Douglas Westerbeke The Warm Hands of Ghosts — Katherine Arden The Other Valley — Scott Alexander Howard
Group F
Real Americcans — Rachel Khong The Princess of Las Vegas — Chris Bohjalian Wandering Stars — Tommy Orange James — Percival Everett
Group G
The Glassmaker — Tracy Chevalier The Waters — Bonnie Jo Campbell The Great Divide— Cristina Henríquez Let Us Descend — Jesmyn Ward
Group H
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store — James McBride Happiness Falls — Angie Kim Tom Lake — Ann Patchett Chenneville — Paulette Jiles