From the opening night of the National Book Critics Circle‘s annual two-night literary extravaganza, here are pictures I took of some of the finalists who read excerpts from their nominated books. They gave inspired renderings of their work. The awards will be given tonight, in six categories—Poetry, Criticism, Biography, Autobiography, Nonfiction, Fiction—at the New School’s Tishman Auditorium on W. 11th Street at 6pm, free admission. I hope to sit even closer to the stage tonight, for the best possible pictures.