LitHub Editor in Chief Jonny Diamond moderates a lively Book Battle, where five prominent members of New York’s literary community will go head-to-head to defend their favorite work of contemporary French literature from the Albertine Prize shortlist.

The book champions participating in the battle will include the following:

Garth Risk Hallberg, defending _Compass _by Mathias Énard
Maaza Mengiste, defending The End of Eddy, by Édouard Louis

The Albertine Prize is a reader’s choice award for French literature in English. Discover all of the shortlisted titles and vote here for your favorite before May 1st.