 |
|
| The Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association (PNBA) is a non-profit association of independent bookstores in five Northwest states; Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska. The Association produces educational and promotional events and materials for its members, and offers literacy, free speech and author promotional vehicles through its member stores. One of our oldest and most popular programs is our annual Pacific Northwest Book Awards, which have been presented to such luminary figures in Northwest literature as Ivan Doig, Ursula LeGuin, David James Duncan, David Guterson, Jon Krakauer, Chuck Palahniuk, and Sherman Alexie. In most cases, these writers were recognized before gaining national attention. More information about past winners of PNBA Awards can be found HERE, on PNBA's website. PNBA's Awards Committee is made up of nine volunteer booksellers from member stores throughout the region. The Committee members considered more than 290 titles nominated for a 2012 award, for work published by a Northwest author in 2011. |
||
 |
The Sisters Brothers
Patrick deWitt With off-kilter wit and the kind of charm that should leave the Coen Brothers tickled, deWitt has crafted a Western novel for people who think they don't like Westerns. Soft-hearted brother Eli's narration in the trail dust of gun-slinging brother Charlie is philosophical and funny—very funny—amidst a stark and violent backdrop. Filled with vividly drawn characters and sharp dialogue, The Sisters Brothers is a gritty, vibrant book. —PNBA Awards Committee Ecco/HarperCollins |
 |
 |
West of Here
Jonathan Evison Evison gleefully chews up the Northwest landscape from 1890, when dreamers, drifters, scoundrels and hardworking settlers dove in with unrestrained ambition to harness the wilderness for profit and posterity, to 2006 and their descendants, now suffering the consequences of that wild enthusiasm. The Olympic Peninsula is some of the most beautiful country in the world, and Evison has paid tribute to it. —PNBA Awards Committee Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill/Workman |
 |
 |
Feathers
Thor Hanson Feathers are pretty remarkable. And reading about them in Thor Hanson’s well-researched book is like sitting down for a lively chat with a particularly bright friend. Such enthusiasm, thorough research and rich language! Like the best teachers from our school days—fun. —PNBA Awards Committee Basic Books/Perseus Books Group |
 |
 |
Shards
Ismet Prcic Families visiting the country on the weekend, browsing the shops, going to dinner. Bosnian families whose lives are just like ours—then one day, they are not. Powerful, gorgeous writing, complicated without a hint of intellectual grandstanding. This novel is a difficult treasure. —PNBA Awards Committee Black Cat/Grove/Atlantic |
 |
 |
Habibi
Craig Thompson The intricate artwork in Habibi weaves the beauty of Arabic calligraphy and traditional patterns into a story that feels simultaneously ancient and modern, starkly realistic and mythological. And the discovery doesn't end with the last sentence of the story. The footnotes add another stunning dimension. The appeal of this book will reach far beyond comics fans. Habibi should take its place alongside groundbreaking classics, such as Maus and Persepolis. —PNBA Awards Committee Pantheon Books/Random House |
 |
 |
Chronology of Water
Lidia Yuknavitch Genuine and generous, this memoir risks much and succeeds powerfully. Yuknavitch has a striking story to tell, but the way she tells it is even more striking. The book becomes experiential, which fosters an intimacy between the writer and reader. You will be moved. —PNBA Awards Committee Hawthorne Books |
 |