PNBA BOOK AWARDS 2019 PACIFIC NORTHWEST BOOKSELLERS ASSOCIATION AWARD WINNERS
Each year since 1965, the PNBA Awards have celebrated exceptional books written by Northwest authors. Congratulations to this year’s winners!
A False Report
A True Story of Rape in America by Ken Armstrong (Seattle, WA)
(and T. Christian Miller)
A False Report follows parallel rape cases through the criminal justice system: one that was solved, another that was determined to be a "false report." With a keen eye for sociologically-focused narrative journalism, Armstrong and Miller paint an incredibly timely portrait of how the legal system and society as a whole view women's truths and how, going forward, we can stop silencing women's voices in a post #MeToo era.
Washington Black by Esi Edugyan
(Victoria, B.C.)
This stunning book begins on a sugar plantation in Barbados when 11-year-old slave Wash is plucked from his unrelenting work by his master's brother to be his personal assistant. Titch is a scientist, and Wash's life is about to dramatically change. Probing themes of prejudice, cruelty, freedom, abandonment, family, home, love, and forgiveness, Esi Edugyan's meticulously rendered story is full of complex, layered characters, edgeof-your-seat suspense, and the essence of what it means to be a human being. Wash's determination to have the questions of his life answered is a profound roadmap to living a meaningful life. You will never forget Washington Black.
Libba
The Magnificent Musical Life of Elizabeth Cotten by Laura Veirs (Olympia, WA)
(illus. by Tatyana Fazlalizadeh - Portland, OR) Musician Laura Veirs turns the spotlight on folk singer Elizabeth “Libba” Cotten for her debut picture book, tracing the story of a girl who was meant to play music despite the odds against her. Even guitars weren’t made for a left-hander like Libba, but the plucky strummer just “turned the guitar upside down and played it backwards.” Determination and innate musical ability would have Libba composing one of her most famous songs, “Freight Train,” at a young age. However, it would only be years later as a grandmother, after giving up music to tend to life, that Libba’s talent would be discovered and shared.
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Buzz
The Nature and Necessity of Bees by Thor Hanson (Friday Harbor, WA) In Buzz, Thor Hanson takes us through the fascinating lives and history of bees, from the time the first bees made the advantageous split from wasps to the desperate importance of offering bees protection now. Hanson's narrative style makes the information flow in an easily digestible way and readers will come away knowing and appreciating more about bees than they ever thought possible.
Blood Water Paint by Joy McCullough
(Seattle, WA)
Joy McCullough employs a searing blend of poetry and prose to tell the story of 17th century Roman artist, Artemesia Gentileschi. Daughter of famed painter Orazio Gentileschi, Artemesia inherited and surpassed her father's talent, but as a woman, she had no ability to support herself and enjoyed no recognition for her genius. Raped by her teacher, her reputation and sense of the world ruined, she relied on the stories her mother told her of ancient heroines Judith and Susanna--subjects of her future paintings--to guide her toward healing and redemption.
Rising Out of Hatred
The Awakening of a Former White Nationalist by Eli Saslow (Portland, OR) li Saslow has penned a riveting tale of the White Nationalist, Derek E Black, who was tapped as "heir apparent" to the leadership of the KKK, but eventually rejected that role. Growing up, Derek's father was a grand wizard for the organization, and his mother was once married to David Duke. Sharing their stance was all he knew, but things began to change when Black enrolled in a liberal arts college and was confronted with ideas that were in opposition to his own. Saslow does an impeccable job of describing the inner micro-adjustments that occurred daily for Derek, and his long, slow slide to the left is a thing of beauty. Do not miss this superbly profound study in human nature, politics, racism, and family.
Spring 2019
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