Book Notes: Walter, Wrigley shortlisted for PNBA awards

Two area authors have been shortlisted for the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association’s 2014 Book Awards.

Spokane’s Jess Walter was nominated for his short story collection, “We Live in Water.” University of Idaho professor and poet Robert Wrigley made the list for his collection of poetry, “Anatomy of Melancholy and Other Poems.”

The 12 shortlisted books were culled from 200 nominated titles, and selected by a committee of volunteer booksellers from member stores. The winners – a maximum of six – will be announced in January.

The 2013 PNBA Book Award winners included Sherman Alexie’s “Blasphemy,” Jonathan Evison’s “The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving” and Cheryl Strayed’s “Wild.”

The PNBA is a nonprofit association of independent bookstores from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska. It is based in Eugene.

At the Mic

The monthly 3 Minute Mic open poetry event at Auntie’s Bookstore will be Jan. 3 at 7 p.m.

The evening’s featured reader will be Mark Robbins, who will read works by William Carlos Williams and Raymond Carver. Otherwise anyone is welcome to step up the mic and read their own poetry or works by someone else. Chris Cook hosts. Content is not censored.

Auntie’s is at 402 W. Main Ave. The open poetery mic is held the first Friday of every month. For more information, call Auntie’s at (509) 838-0206.

Holocaust essay contest open

Entries are now being accepted for the Eva Lassman Memorial Writing Contest, which centers on the Holocaust.

The contest is open to all high school and middle school students, and is on the theme “Saving Our Future: Rescuing Children from the Nazis.” The essays must be 500 to 1,000 words long; other requirements are available on the Never Again Spokane Facebook page.

A high school winner will earn $500; the winning middle-schooler will receive $250. Deadline to enter is March 9.

For more information, email neveragain-spokane@comcast.net.