Poetry, Young Adult, Juvenile, First Fiction, Fiction, and Nonfiction

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SAN FRANCISCO – April 15, 2013 – The Commonwealth Club is pleased to announce this year’s finalists for the California Book Awards. During the week of April 29th, winners in all six categories – poetry, young adult, juvenile, first fiction, fiction, and nonfiction – as well as two special categories – Notable Contribution to Publishing and Californians – will be announced to the public. Book lovers from around the state will gather on Thursday, June 6, at 6pm at 595 Market Street, 2nd floor, in San Francisco to recognize the winners at a special program and reception. For tickets, go to commonwealthclub.org/events or call our box office at 415/597-6700/6705.

The California Book Awards jury director, Mary Ellen Hannibal, said that “California’s literary tradition is alive and well was in ample evidence this year – the book jury read hundreds of submissions across multiple categories. We absorbed, we compared, we argued, we deliberated, and we came up with a vibrant group of finalists. Although we will decide on winners, to be announced April 30, the truth is that all these finalists are fine books and deserve special praise.â€
The 82nd Annual California Book Awards ceremony will take place on Thursday June 6, 2013 at 6 pm at the Commonwealth Club, 595 Market Street in San Francisco. Once again, this year’s awards presentation is being sponsored by Bank of the West. The event is open to the public. A gourmet hors d’oeuvres and wine reception will begin at 5:00 p.m. and the awards presentation will follow at 6 p.m. A book-signing and dessert reception will take place immediately following the ceremony.
FINALISTS for the 82nd Annual California Book Awards for books published in 2012: 

POETRY:

“Sea and Fog†by: Etel Adnan
“Journey to the Sun†by: Brent Cunningham
“After Urgency†by: Rusty Morrison
“Citizen†by: Aaron Shurin
“Hurrah’s Nest†by: Arisa White
YOUNG ADULT
:
Out of Reach by: Carrie Arcos
Grave Mercy by: Robin LaFevers
Second Chance Summer by: Morgan Matson
A Soldier’s Secret: The Incredible True Story of Sarah Edmonds, a Civil War Hero by: Marissa Moss
Who Could That Be at This Hour? All the Wrong Questions, Book One by: Lemony Snicket
JUVENILE
:
The One and Only Ivan by: Katherine Applegate
Dreaming Up: A Celebration of Building by: Christy Hale
The Five Lives of Our Cat Zook by: Joanne Rocklin
The Seven Tales of Trinket by: Shelley Moore Thomas
Baby Bear Sees Blue by: Ashley Wolff
   
FIRST FICTION
A Partial History of Lost Causes by: Jennifer DuBois
A Working Theory of Love by: Scott Hutchins
Masha’allah and Other Stories by: Mariah K. Young
Monstress by: Lysley Tenorio

FICTION
Telegraph Avenue by: Michael Chabon
A Hologram for the King by: Dave Eggers
The Orphan Master’s Son by: Adam Johnson
NONFICTION
:
Zoobiquity by: Barbara Natterson-Horowitz and Kathryn Bowers
The Lady in Gold: The Extraordinary Tale of Gustav Klimt’s Masterpiece, Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer by: Anne-Marie O’Connor
God’s Hotel: A Doctor, A Hospital, and A Pilgrimage to the Heart of Medicine by: Victoria Sweet
Beyond Nature’s Housekeepers: American Women in Environmental History by: Nancy C. Unger
History of the California Book Awards:
Since 1931, the California Book Awards have honored the exceptional literary merit of California writers and publishers. Each year a select jury considers hundreds of books from around the state in search of the very best in literary achievement.
Eligible books must be written while the author is a resident in California, and must be published during the year under consideration.

The California Book Awards have often been on the vanguard, honoring previously unknown authors who go on to garner national acclaim.
John Steinbeck received three gold medals – for Tortilla Flat in 1935, In Dubious Battle (1936) and The Grapes of Wrath (1939).
 
Last year’s winners include: Giovanni Singleton, Jason Felch and Ralph Frammolino, Alice LaPlante, Héctor Tobar, Joanne Rocklin, David Rains Wallace.
Founded in 1903, The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation’s oldest and largest public affairs forum, with more than 18,000 members.
The Club hosts speeches, debates and discussions on topics of regional, national and international interest.
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