The 2016 Pacific Northwest Book Awards Winners have been announced! A panel of nine booksellers from the region chose the winners from nearly 300 nominations of books written by authors from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, or British Columbia.
Here are the winners, with brief descriptions by the Award Committee:
Call Me Home by Megan Kruse
(Seattle, WA)
“In this beautifully written, haunting family drama, Kruse explores themes of abuse, fear, love, longing and home. An absolutely gripping read from an amazing debut author also recognized as a 2015 National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 honoree.”
Children & Other Wild Animals by Brian Doyle
(Portland, OR)
“From Herman the Sturgeon to his own children, in his signature poetic prose, Doyle observes the fascinating creatures that share his world. This is a work of gratitude, a book that celebrates others—human or otherwise—and their unique ways of coloring our world. As a reader, you cannot help but catch Doyle’s contagious appreciation.”
The Game of Love and Death by Martha Brockenbrough
(Seattle, WA)
“Like a perfectly paced black-and-white film on a lazy Sunday afternoon, this magical, romantic story is about love in all its variations, soaring and musical, sad and beautiful all at once. Published for YA, this sophisticated story will also be loved by adults lucky enough to discover it somewhere other than their usual shelf.”
The Triumph of Seeds by Thor Hanson
(Friday Harbor, WA)
“This is the kind of accessible science writing that keeps readers engrossed, never realizing how much knowledge they’re picking up along the way. Who knew that seeds could be so fascinating? Hanson’s narrative voice and personal anecdotes make for easy and enjoyable reading—and learning.”
Undermajordomo Minor by Patrick deWitt
(Portland, OR)
“When Lucy leaves his childhood home to accept a vague position at Castle Von Aux, the decision guarantees his life will never be the same. A demented Baron, a secret letter, a couple of pickpockets, a very large hole, and true love all play integral parts in this quirky quasi-modern fairytale. Weird, funny, dark and delightful.”
Unicorn on a Roll by Dana Simpson
(Auburn, WA)
“Simpson perfectly captures what it’s like to be a fourth-grader. But the real magic of this book is not the spot-on depiction of childhood or even the self-enamored unicorn; it’s her use of whip-smart humor and pop culture mining to appeal to both kids and adults that makes this book sparkle.”
We’ll publish original essays by the winning authors on this blog over the next few weeks; watch for them on Tuesdays and Fridays. Award presentations will take place at authors’ local independent bookstores; we will post details when they are finalized.
You can see the shortlist of 12 titles here.