The 2017 Pacific Northwest Book Awards Winners have been announced! A panel of nine booksellers from the region chose the winners from 325 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:
Thunder Boy, Jr. by Sherman Alexie
(Seattle, WA)
Alexie’s first book for children is a picture book to cherish, starring a strong-willed little boy who just wants to make his mark on the world with a name all his own. The fun-to-read story is slyly irreverent yet full of love, and the bright, meaningful illustrations by Yuyi Morales tell a delightful story of their own while bringing out all the meaning in Alexie’s words.
Bitch Planet: Book One: Extraordinary Machine
(Portland, OR)
In a futuristic world ruled by a seemingly omnipotent patriarchal regime, women who don’t fit into the narrowly defined societal norm are sent to an extreme off-planet detention facility where they struggle to retain a sense of self. A smart, profane, and thoroughly terrifying examination of widespread intersectional oppression that feels all too familiar. Pick up this book and join the ranks of the Non-Compliant. Dare you.
To the Bright Edge of the World by Eowyn Ivey
(Palmer, AK)
Returning to the same lush Alaskan landscape as The Snow Child, Ivey’s second novel is as stunning and enchanting as her first. Telling the story of newly married Colonel Allen Forrester and his wife Sophie, as they endure a long separation when he is charged with leading an expedition into the Alaskan wilderness, Ivey constructs an absorbing and beautiful epistolary novel of adventure, danger and discovery and a love story fraught with an equal fear of the unknown.
by Robert Moor
(Halfmoon Bay, BC)
Moor’s excellent debut is a bookseller’s dream, the kind of book we know is just the fit for that perfect customer—any reader who values superb writing, probing curiosity and the exploration. Moor guides the reader with evolution, anthropology, adventure and reflection through the literal and metaphorical trails that lead our lives.
by Annie Proulx
(Carnation, WA)
A sweeping saga spanning more than 700 pages and nearly 300 years, Proulx’s magnum opus follows two families for generations as they attempt to tame their world and conquer the physical and metaphorical forests that surround them. A lush and ambitious piece of literature that may be her best work yet.
(Portland, OR)
Marrow Island was once another jewel of the beautiful San Juans but has become the jagged memory of disaster—one that took the life of Lucie’s father. Her best childhood friend is now immersed in a mysterious commune on the island, and Lucie is drawn by Marrow on both counts. Addressing environmental issues, cult behavior, family loss and broken friendships, Marrow Island is an original and riveting read.
Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman
by Lindy West
(Seattle, WA)
This brilliant book will make your sides hurt with laughter while inspiring empathy to the difficulties of living as a large, feminist woman in today’s world. An important book for fostering perspective on the overweight population (over half of all Americans) and women’s rights. West uses humor as a gateway to grab the attention of those who may not normally want to read a “feminist book.” A conversation-starting read.
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 the 15 finalists for the Award here.
What is the criteria for entering the Pacific Northwest Book Award competition?
Thanks for asking, Sharyl. Details about books eligible for nomination are at this link: http://www.pnba.org/book-awards.html.
Basically, To be eligible for a 2018 award the book must have been published between Oct 1, 2016 and Sep 30, 2017 and written by a Pacific Northwest author. Books can be nominated by publishers, publicists, booksellers, or even authors themselves. Copies of the book must be sent to all the members of the awards committee.
Check the link, and if you have any further questions, the awards email address listed there should be able to help.