The Aspen Institute has announced this year's nominees for its annual prize — 16 titles (including several short story collections and quite a few debut authors) that, in the Institute's words, address "a vital contemporary issue."

The topics these books cover may seem familiar if you follow the news, Aspen Words executive director Adrienne Brodeur said in a statement. "Gun violence, immigration, police brutality, Native American culture — but fiction allows us to examine these issues with more compassion." Brodeur says she hopes the list will get these books into readers' hands, "while also sparking meaningful dialogue around some of our greatest challenges today."

Last year's inaugural prize went to Mohsin Hamid, for Exit West, his powerful novel about migration, refugees, love and loss.

The Institute has partnered with NPR to announce this year's list, as well as the finalists in February. Five judges — including National Book Award nominee Dorothy Allison and Whiting Award winner Samrat Upadhyay — will pick the finalists and the winner of the $35,000 prize, which will be revealed in April at a ceremony in New York City.

You can find the nominees here — or simply scroll down for the list, with links to our coverage.

Friday Black Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

The Boat People Sharon Bala

A Lucky Man: Stories Jamel Brinkley

America is Not the Heart Elaine Castillo

Brother David Chariandy

Gun Love Jennifer Clement

Freshwater Akwaeke Emezi

Small Country Gaël Faye

Where the Dead Sit Talking Brandon Hobson

An American Marriage Tayari Jones

The Incendiaries R.O. Kwon

Severance Ling Ma

Bring Out the Dog: Stories Will Mackin

There There Tommy Orange

If You See Me, Don't Say Hi: Stories Neel Patel

Heads of the Colored People Nafissa Thompson-Spires

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.