Thurber House announces 2018 finalists for humour prize

COLUMBUS, Ohio – An Ohio-based non-profit named for humorist James Thurber has announced the finalists for the country’s top humour writing prize.

Thurber House, the boyhood home of Thurber, serves as a literary centre and museum in Columbus.

Each year, it awards the Thurber Prize for American Humor. Comedian Trevor Noah won last year for “Born a Crime,” his memoir about growing up in South Africa.

This year’s finalists are Jenny Allen, author of the essay collection “Would Everybody Please Stop? Reflections on Life and Other Bad Ideas”; John Hodgman, author of the collection of true stories, “Vacationland”; and Patricia Lockwood, author of “Priestdaddy,” her memoir about having a married Roman Catholic priest for a father.

The 2018 winner will be announced Dec. 5 in Columbus.