Carl Phillips, a finalist for the 2009 National Book Award in poetry for his 10th collection of poetry, “Speak Low,” gives a reading at the National Book Award Finalists Reading Nov. 17 in Tishman Auditorium at The New School in New York City. Each of the 20 finalists from among four categories read from their nominated works. Phillips, who received a bronze medallion and $1,000 as a finalist, was recognized during the 60th anniversary National Book Awards dinner and ceremony Nov. 18 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York. This was the third National Book Awards nomination for Phillips, a professor of English and of African and African American studies, both in Arts & Sciences.