May - August Book Awards

Book Award Winners! Book Awards Winners! Many more will be announced this spring and summer. Be in the know with our handy list below, divided by age groups (Adults, Teens, and Children) for your convenience.

New April Winners!

We missed a few winners in April:

4th: Pen/Faulkner

• 1 category -- Fiction.

26th: Edgar Awards (Mystery)

•  14 categories -- Novel, First Novel, Paperback Original, Fact Crime, Critical/Biographical, Short Story , Juvenile, Young Adult, TV Episode, Robert L. Fish Memorial, Mary Higgins Clark, Grand Master, Raven Awards, and Ellery Queen Award.

27th: James Beard Cookbook Awards

• 11 categories -- American; Baking and Desserts; Beverage; General; Health and Special Diets; International; Reference, History, and Scholarship; Restaurant and Professional; Single Subject; Vegetable-Focused Cooking; Writing.

28th: Agatha Awards (Traditional Mystery)

• 6 categories -- Best Contemporary Novel, Best Historical Novel, Best First Novel, Best Nonfiction, Best Short Story, and Best Children’s/Young Adult.

Adult Awards

May

20th: Nebula Award (Sci-Fi/Fantasy)

• 4 categories in Sci-Fi/Fantasy: Novel, Novella, Novellette, and Short Story.

22nd: Man Booker International Prize

• 1 category -- Created in 2016, this is for the finest work of translated fiction around the world.

31st: Audies

• 26 categories: basically audiobooks and spoken word entertainment in every genre as well as narrators, excellence in marketing/design/production, and multi-voiced performance.

June

4th: Lambda (LGBT)

• 23 categories -- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and LGBTQ Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Mystery, Memoir/Biography, Romance, Anthology, Children's/YA, Drama, Erotica, Graphic Novels, Horror, and Studies. 

6th: Women's Prize for Fiction, Bailey's (formerly The Orange Prize)

• 1 category -- Novel written in English by a female writer (any nationality).

23rd: Locus Awards (Sci-Fi)

• 15 categories in Sci-Fi -- Science fiction, fantasy, and horror novels, short fiction, collections, anthologies, nonfiction, artists, editors, magazines, and publishers.

July

14th: International Thriller Writers Award

• 6 categories in Thriller -- Best Hardcover Novel, Best First Novel, Best Paperback Original Novel, Best Short Story, Best YA Novel, and Best E-Book Original Novel.

15th: Shirley Jackson (Psychological Suspense, Horror, and the Dark Fantastic, announced at Readercon)

• 6 categories in Psychological Suspense, Horror, and the Dark Fantastic: Novel, Novella, Novelette, Short Story, Single-Author Collection, and Edited Anthology.

19th: RITA / Golden Heart Awards (Romance)

• 13 categories in RITA (published romance novels): Best First Book; Contemporary Romance: Long, Mid-Length, and Short; Erotic Romance; Historical Romance: Long and Short; Mainstream Fiction with a Central Romance; Paranormal Romance; Romance Novella; Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements; Romantic Suspense; Young Adult Romance.
• There are 7 categories in Golden Heart, but they are unpublished romance manuscripts...

20th: Eisners (comics, announced at ComicCon)

• 34 categories in comics -- Best Short Story, Best Single Issue/One-Shot, Best Continuing Series, Best Limited Series, Best New Series, Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age 8), Best Publication for Kids (ages 9-12), Best Publication for Teens (ages 13-17), Best Humor Publication, Best Anthology, Best Reality-Based Work and more!

23rd: Mythopoeic Award Winner (Fantasy)

• 4 categories in fantasy -- adult literature (may include YA), children's literature (up to age 13), inklings studies, and myth and fantasy studies. 

24th:  Man Booker Prize Longlist (Longlist, July; Shortlist, Sept)

• 1 category -- best novel.

August

20th: Hugo Award (Sci Fi/Fantasy, announced at Worldcon)

• 16 categories -- Best Novel, Best Novella, Best Novelette, Best Short Story, Best Related Work, Best Graphic Story, Best Dramatic Presentation (Long Form & Short Form), Best Editor (Long Form and Short Form), Best Professional Artist, and more!

Teen Awards

May

20th: Andre Norton Award (a Hugo Award; Sci Fi/Fantasy)

• 1 winner for YA in Sci Fi/Fantasy.

30th: Children's Choice Book Awards - (voted by Children and YA, announced at Book Expo)

• Children and Teens can vote for their favorite finalists between March 1st and May 6th.
• 5 categories -- Kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 4th grade, 5th to 6th grade, 7th to 8th grade, and teen books.

31st: Audies

• 26 audiobook categories, two of which are Young Adult and Middle Grade.

???(Day not yet announced):  Boston Globe Horn Book Award

• 3 categories -- Picture Book, Fiction and Poetry, and Nonfiction. 

June

4th: Lambda (LGBT)

• 23 categories -- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and LGBTQ Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Mystery, Memoir/Biography, Romance, Anthology, Children's/YA, Drama, Erotica, Graphic Novels, Horror, and Studies. 

23rd: Locus Awards (Sci-Fi)

• 15 categories in Sci-Fi -- Science fiction, fantasy, and horror novels, short fiction, collections, anthologies, nonfiction, artists, editors, magazines, and publishers.

July

14th: International Thriller Writers Award

• 6 categories in Thriller -- Best Hardcover Novel, Best First Novel, Best Paperback Original Novel, Best Short Story, Best YA Novel, and Best E-Book Original Novel.

19th: RITA / Golden Heart Awards (Romance)

• 13 categories in RITA (published romance novels): Best First Book; Contemporary Romance: Long, Mid-Length, and Short; Erotic Romance; Historical Romance: Long and Short; Mainstream Fiction with a Central Romance; Paranormal Romance; Romance Novella; Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements; Romantic Suspense; Young Adult Romance.
• There are 7 categories in Golden Heart, but they are unpublished romance manuscripts...

20th: Eisners (comics, announced at ComicCon)

• 34 categories in comics -- one is specifically for teens called Best Publication for Teens (ages 13-17).

23rd: Mythopoeic Award Winner (Fantasy)

• 4 categories in fantasy -- adult literature (may include YA), children's literature (up to age 13), inklings studies, and myth and fantasy studies. 

August

No Awards

Children Awards

May

30th: Children's Choice Book Awards - (voted by Children and YA, announced at Book Expo)

• Children and Teens can vote for their favorite finalists between March 1st and May 6th.
• 5 categories -- Kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 4th grade, 5th to 6th grade, 7th to 8th grade, and teen books.

May 31st: Audies

• 26 audiobook categories, two of which are Middle Grade and Young Listeners.

???(Day not yet announced):  Boston Globe Horn Book Award

• 3 categories -- Picture Book, Fiction and Poetry, and Nonfiction. 

June

4th: Lambda (LGBT)

• 23 categories -- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and LGBTQ Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Mystery, Memoir/Biography, Romance, Anthology, Children's/YA, Drama, Erotica, Graphic Novels, Horror, and Studies. 

July

20th: Eisners (comics, announced at ComicCon)

• 34 categories in comics -- Of these, there are Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age 8) and Best Publication for Kids (ages 9-12).

August

No Awards

Want More?

You can find the complete list of awards in our previous post, the Ultimate Book Awards Calendar. The specific dates aren't listed because they change every year, but you can check our Jan-April 2018 listings and the stay tuned for our next installment (Sept-December) in August!

Ready to Go Book Display: Cats

Welcome to our series, "Ready to Go! Book Display." Once a month we'll highlight the latest or greatest for every age group that you can promote within your library or order for your collection. We are looking at books featuring some of our favorite four legged friends. This month is cats! (Next month we'll feature dogs.)

Recommendations for Adults and Teens:

Shop Cats of New York by Tamar Arslanian (Nov 2016)

Introducing 40 of New York's favorite felines, all of whom have an extraordinary story to tell.

Breaking Cat News by Georgia Dunn (May 2016)

Three adorable house cats are reporting the most hilarious breaking news. Based on author/illustrator Georgia Dunn's real life pets, Elvis, Lupin, and Puck strap on neckties and pick up microphones to provide the most up-to-date relevant news stories (at least according to them).

The Life & Love of Cats by Lewis Blackwell (Oct 2012)

Combines facts and full-page photographs in a book that discusses the history of cats and their relationship to humans.

Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron (Sep 2008)

Traces the author's discovery of a half-frozen kitten in the drop-box of her small-community Iowa library and the feline's development into an affable library mascot whose intuitive nature prompted hundreds of abiding friendships.

Bolt and Keel: The Wild Adventures of Two Rescued Cats by Kayleen VanderRee and Danielle Gumbley (Oct 2017)

Photographs of two felines who hike, paddle, and snowshoe through the wilderness with their owners.

Men with Cats: Intimate Portraits of Feline Friendship by David Williams (Feb 2016)

A photographer celebrates cat-owning men and the kitties who have stolen their hearts.

Shake Cats by Carli Davidson (Oct 2015)

Showcases side-by-side images of cats in the middle of shaking water off themselves.

Grumpy Cat: A Grumpy Book by Grumpy Cat (Jul 2013)

The Grumpy Cat book teaches the fine art of grumpiness and includes enough bad attitude to cast a dark cloud over the whole world.

A Street Cat Named Bob: And How He Saved My Life by James Bowen (Jul 2013)

When London street musician James Bowen found an injured cat curled up in the hallway of his apartment building, he had no idea how much his life was about to change.

Recommendations for Kids:

Here Comes Teacher Cat by Deborah Underwood (Aug 2017)

Cat is not so keen on stepping in as substitute teacher at Kitty School, but he's surprised by how much he's able to teach the kittens - and how much he learns from them.

The Very Fluffy Kitty, Papillon by A. N. Kang (Sept 2016)

Papillon is a cat who is so fluffy he floats, so his owner tries many silly ways to keep him on the ground.

My Pet Human by Yasmine Surovec (Aug 2015)

A cat that enjoys his carefree life gets some treats and backrubs from the humans who have just moved into his favorite abandoned house, then sets out to train them properly, all the while protesting to his friends that he has no interest in being tied down to a human pet.

Chester by Melanie Watt (Sept 2007)

As the author/illustrator attempts to create a picture book about a mouse in a house, her rotund feline Chester sends the mouse packing and attempts to rewrite the story with his handy red marker.

Naughty Kitty! by Adam Stower (May 2014)

Lily learns that kitties can be almost as much trouble as dogs - but they can also be very comforting.

Bad Kitty Gets a Bath by Nick Bruel (Aug 2008)

Takes a humorous look at the normal way cats bathe, why it is inappropriate for humans to bathe that way, and the challenges of trying to give a cat a real bath with soap and water.

Cat Tales: True Stories of Kindness and Companionship with Kitties by Aline Alexander Newman (Apr 2017)

Profiles cats that have unique characteristics and loving relationships with their owners, including a cat that knows sign language, a rock-climbing cat, and a surfer cat. 

7 Ways Libraries Can Go Green

How green is your library? Everyone knows where you can recycle old books that don't sell at the Friends' book sale, but what about the other items at your library? With Earth Day just around the corner, we thought it'd be a good time to explore different ways to keep your library's junk out of landfills:

Recycle Bins

Does your library have recycle bins for paper and plastics for patrons as well as staff? If you allow patrons to drink in your library, where can they put their empty bottles? It might be a great volunteer program for your teens to empty the bottle bin and bring back the cash for teen programming. Or, maybe you can make a community connection and invite in a group (like the local Boy Scouts) to empty the bin monthly and they can keep the money.

Recycle Your Electronics and Batteries

There's a long list of electronics that you can recycle from computer speakers and printers to gaming consoles and handhelds at Staples. Also, if you are collecting a lot of dead batteries with your many electronics, you can drop them off at these places as well or find a drop-off location at call2recycle.org.

Give Back Box

Amazon and other retailers have joined the Give Back Box where you can use their boxes (or any box) and ship for free (no weight limit when using UPS!) to local charities. This may be your perfect program for items donated to the library that you cannot use and, for the Teen and Children's Librarians, any programming materials that you know you won't use anymore. (An old tea set? Costumes?)

Unusable Toys and Other Big Stuff

TerraCycle has lots of free programs for you to recycle non-organic and non-hazardous waste. If you don't have time to separate your stuff out, you may be interested in buying a generic box and just recycle everything together. It isn't free, but it'll do the environment good! It could also make a great annual program to open to the community -- asking them to drop off unusable toys and you'll send them off to be recycled. Another option is to collect your broken electronics and wait for your community's electronics recycling day.

Try to Avoid Crayons for Art Projects

Washable Markers and Paints on paper are recycleable, but crayons are not. If you do have crayons, you can get rid of your small pieces by sending them to The Crayon Initiative (thecrayoninitiative.org), or you can melt them together and make new crayons.

Recycle Lost & Found Phones

Find lots of phones at your library that no one is claiming? You can mail them to Smartphone Recycling and make some money! You do need at least 10 phones in your shipment box, but this may be a great opportunity to ask staff if they want to participate as well (or open it up to the community as a fundraiser for the library). You can earn up to $350 per phone and they do accept Lost & Found Phones. If you don't have 10 phones to send in, you can donate them to the Operation Gratitude program which supports U.S. Troops.

Buy/Use Green Products

Decrease your battery waste by buying rechargeable batteries. Make sure the librarians who shop for library programs and events are using reusable bags and not collecting plastic bags (Bonus points if the reusable bags advertise the library!). If that doesn't work, designate a place to collect plastic bags and assign someone to recycle them at any grocery store.

25+ Gifts for the MLIS Graduate

May is just around the corner. Time to start getting Summer Reading pulled together, your order lists done and welcome new MLIS librarians to the profession! If you are lucky enough to know someone graduating, you might be wondering what to buy them to celebrate this milestone. Well, have no fear! We are here with 29 ideas that'll make any librarian's day.

Folding Book-Shaped Reading Night Light (#1)

1. Folding Book-Shaped Reading Night Light

2. Librarian Action Figure

3. A Session for a Professional Photo

4. Etwoa's Bookshelf Infinity Scarf Circle Scarf Loop Scarf

5. "She is Too Fond of Books" Quote Pendant

6. Novel Teas (contains 25 teabags individually tagged with literary quotes from the world over)

Knock Knock Personal Library Kit (#7)

7. Knock Knock Personal Library Kit

8. Library Due Date Necklace

9. I Cannot Live Without Books: Literary Tattoos for Book Lovers

10. Anything from Litographs.com

11. Book Sleeve Book Cover

12. Fun Elephant Paper Clips (or any fun office supplies)

Book Sleeve Book Cover (#11)

13. Sticky Page Markers

14. Book Lanyard

15. Vintage Library Checkout Card Business Card Case

16. Membership in a Professional Association

17. Color and Activity Book for Librarians

18. Card Catalog: 30 Notecards from the Library of Congress

19. Reading Log

Sticky Page Markers (#13)

20. Book Tote Bag

21. Banned Books Socks

22. I Work at a Public Library: A Collection of Crazy Stories from the Stacks

23. Lego Minifigure Librarian

24. The Librarian's Book of Quotes

Lego Minifigure Librarian (#23)

25. Willow Tree Love of Learning

26. A Session with a Professional Resume Reviewer

27. Leather Portfolio

28. Anything from Out Of Print

29. Personalized Name Plate


This list was compiled by Jess and Kat, though we would be remissed if we didn't mention a few ideas came from the Library Think Tank Facebook Group.