Shakespeare in Montana: Big Sky Country’s Love Affair with the World’s Most Famous Writer by Gretchen Minton has been honored as the 2020 Montana Book of the Year. You can read a wonderful piece about the author, the book, and the award on the Montana State University website. (The author is a Montana State University English professor.)
The Montana Book Award recognizes literary and/or artistic excellence in a book written or illustrated by someone who lives in Montana, that is set in Montana or which deals with Montana themes or issues. The committee also selected three honor books for 2020:
The Blaze by Chad Dundas of Missoula
Life List by Marc Beaudin of Livingston
Regarding Willingness by Tom Harpole of Avon.
The Friends of the Missoula Public Library began the Montana Book Award in 2002, and winners are selected by a committee of individuals representing areas throughout Montana. Members of the 2020 Montana Book Award committee include Gloria Behem, Chester; Marje Doyle, Missoula; Amanda Allpress, Missoula; Della Dubbe, Helena; Hannah Mundt, Bozeman; Kim Siemsen, Glendive; Debbie Stewart, Great Falls; Starla Rice, Hot Springs; and Gavin Woltjer, Billings.
The committee said that due to COVID-19, presentations and a reception for the winning authors will be hosted online at a date and time that will be announced later.