The City of Vancouver recently revealed the four finalists for its annual book award. Now in its 30th year, the 2018 City of Vancouver Book Award’s shortlist includes writings “that each reflect Vancouver’s unique character and diverse culture.”
This list includes an eclectic assortment of genres — poetry, long-form journalism, memoir and anthology. A central theme of this year’s finalists is “connection and healing,” says the City of Vancouver.
The 2018 finalists are:
- Chelene Knight for Dear Current Occupant (Book*hug), a genre-busting memoir of a childhood in precarious housing in 20 different homes in East Vancouver.
- Travis Lupick for Fighting for Space: How a Group of Drug Users Transformed One City’s Struggle with Addiction (Arsenal Pulp Press), a deep dive into the citizen-led advocacy that placed Vancouver at the vanguard of harm reduction.
- Erín Moure for Sitting Shiva on Minto Avenue, by Toots (New Star Books), a meditation on the impermanence of life and memory — especially in our fast-changing city.
- Rachel Rose, editor of Sustenance: Writers from BC and Beyond on the Subject of Food (Anvil Press), a pairing of bold new voices with award-winning writers who serve us poems, memories, recipes, sumptuous photos and interviews that satiate and satisfy.
Earlier this year, we spoke at length with finalist Lupick on the Vancouver Is Awesome Podcast regarding his work Fighting for Space; you can hear the full interview here.
Finalists for the City of Vancouver Book Award are chosen by an independent jury that includes writers and academics. The winner will be announced on Dec. 8 at the Vancouver Public Library’s Central Branch at an event that will also include a panel discussion with the finalists.
A list of previous winners and finalists is available online.
2018 City of Vancouver Book Award event
When: Dec. 8, 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Where: Ninth floor, VPL Central Library, 350 West Georgia St.
