NEED TO KNOW
Jeff Hiller will host the 76th National Book Awards Ceremony & Benefit Dinner alongside musical guest Corinne Bailey RaeWinners of five categories will be announced — including Fiction, Nonfiction, Translated Literature, Poetry and Young People’s LiteratureBailey Rae will release her first children’s book, inspired by her hit song “Put Your Records On,” early next year
Jeff Hiller is celebrating the biggest night in literature with the help of special guest Corinne Bailey Rae.
PEOPLE can exclusively reveal that the 76th National Book Awards Ceremony & Benefit Dinner, taking place on Nov. 19 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City, will be hosted by the Somebody Somewhere star and feature a musical performance from the two-time Grammy Award-winning artist.
For Hiller — who released his memoir, Actress of a Certain Age: My Twenty-Year Trail to Overnight Success, earlier this year — books have served as a “constant companion” in his life and have helped him understand the perspectives of other people through their stories.
“I am thrilled to celebrate the literary world’s biggest night by hosting the National Book Awards — where I will meet these authors in person and embarrass myself by weeping from the excitement,” Hiller, 49, said in a statement to PEOPLE.
Jeff Hiller.
Greg Kramer
Along with announcing the winners of the 2025 National Book Awards in the categories of Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Translated Literature and Young People’s Literature, the event will “recognize the transformative power of literature, and celebrate the authors, translators and publishing teams that make books possible,” according to David Steinberger, chair of the Board of Directors of the National Book Foundation.
The ceremony also raises funds for the foundation’s year-round educational and public programming to connect readers of all ages.
“At the National Book Foundation, we believe deeply that everyone everywhere is a reader, and that people of all ages deserve access to extraordinary experiences with books,” Ruth Dickey, executive director of the National Book Foundation, said in a statement. “We are delighted to have Jeff Hiller’s brilliant comedic charm and Corinne Bailey Rae’s radiant musical talent joining us on stage. At a time when books are under attack more than ever before, we are honored to champion stories at the National Book Awards and every day of the year.”
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For her part, Bailey Rae, 46, will also be celebrating the debut of her first children’s picture book, which is inspired by her hit song “Put Your Records On.”
Corinne Bailey Rae.
Ulrike Rindermann
“I’m thrilled to be performing at the National Book Awards, and I love that it shines a light on contemporary literature in all its diverse styles,” Bailey Rae expressed. “I’m an avid reader, and my first picture book, Put Your Records On, will come out next year. I loved writing this book and sharing my passion for music and my deep belief in the importance of self-expression with children (and adults)!”
For more information about the 76th National Book Awards Ceremony & Benefit Dinner and to register to watch the online broadcast, visit the National Book Awards.