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By Arts Editor Cheryl Folland

With the spring semester coming to an end, it’s time for one of the best things about summer—the summer reading list. It can be difficult to know which books to add to the roster. Thankfully, the BC book prize shortlist, released earlier this month, gives readers many titles to choose from. With books ranging from non-fiction to children’s literature, there is something for every reader. Be on the lookout for these titles at libraries and bookstores near you.

Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize awarded to the author of the best work of fiction:

• Joan Haggerty, The Dancehall Years (Mother Tongue Publishing)

• Anosh Irani, The Parcel (Knopf Canada)

• Ashley Little, Niagara Motel (Arsenal Pulp Press)

• Jennifer Manuel, The Heaviness of Things That Float .(Douglas and McIntyre)

• Jen Sookfong Lee, The Conjoined (ECW Press)

Dorothy Livesay Poetry Prize awarded to the author of the best work of poetry:

• Adèle Barclay, If I Were in a Cage I’d Reach Out for You (Nightwood Editions)

• Anne Fleming, poemw (Pedlar Press)

• Juliane Okot Bitek, 100 Days (University of Alberta Press)

• Rob Taylor, The News (Gaspereau Press)

• Richard Therrien, Sleeping in Tall Grass (University of Alberta Press)

Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize awarded to the best non-illustrated book written for children:

• Kathleen Cherry, Everyday Hero (Orca Book Publishers)

• Iain Lawrence, The Skeleton Tree (Tundra Books)

• R.K. McLay, The Rahtrum Chronicles: The Dream (Fifth House Publishers)

• Kit Pearson, A Day of Signs and Wonders (HarperCollins Publishers)

• Robin Stevenson, Pride: Celebrating Diversity & Community (Orca Book Publishers)

Roderick Haig-Brown Regional Prize awarded to author(s) of works contributing most to the enjoyment and understanding of British Columbia:

•   Anthony Kenyon, The Recorded History of the Liard Basin ...1790-1910: Where British Columbia joins the Yukon and ...N.W.T. (Fort Nelson News)

• Michael Layland, A Perfect Eden: Encounters by Early Explorers of Vancouver Island (TouchWood Editions)

• David Pitt-Brooke, Crossing Home Ground: A Grassland Odyssey through Southern Interior British Columbia (Harbour Publishing)

• Christopher Pollon, with photos by Ben Nelms, The Peace in Peril: The Real Cost of the Site C Dam (Harbour Publishing)

• Neil J. Sterritt, Mapping My Way Home: A Gitxsan History (Creekstone Press)

Bill Duthie Booksellers’ Choice Award presented to the originating publisher and author(s) of the best book for overall public appeal and enjoyment:

• Aaron Chapman, The Last Gang in Town: The Epic Story of the Vancouver Police vs. the Clark Park Gang (Arsenal Pulp Press)

• Wade Davis, Wade Davis: Photographs (Douglas and McIntyre)

• Michael Layland, A Perfect Eden: Encounters by Early Explorers of Vancouver Island (TouchWood Editions)

• Roy Henry Vickers and Robert Budd, Peace Dancer (Harbour Publishing)

• Richard Wagamese, Embers: One Ojibway’s Meditations (Douglas and McIntyre)

Hubert Evans Non-Fiction Prize awarded to the author of the best original non-fiction literary work:

• Carmen Aguirre, Mexican Hooker #1: And My Other Roles Since the Revolution (Random House Canada)

• Deborah Campbell, A Disappearance in Damascus: A Story of Friendship and Survival in the Shadow of War (Knopf Canada)

• Mohamed Fahmy, with Carol Shaben, The Marriott Cell: An Epic Journey from Cairo’s Scorpion Prison to Freedom (Random House Canada)

• Joy Kogawa, Gently to Nagasaki (Caitlin Press)

• Mark Leiren-Young, The Killer Whale Who Changed the World (Greystone Books)

Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize awarded for best illustrated book written for children:

• Monique Gray Smith, illustrated by Julie Flett, My Heart ...Fills with Happiness (Orca Book Publishers)

• Julie Morstad, illustrated by Julie Morstad, Today (Simply Read Books)

• Margriet Ruurs, illustrated by Nizar Ali Badr, Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family’s Journey (Orca Book Publishers)

• Nikki Tate, Deep Roots: How Trees Sustain Our Planet (Orca Book Publishers)

• Roy Henry Vickers and Robert Budd, illustrated by Roy Henry Vickers, Peace Dancer (Harbour Publishing)

Winners in each category will be announced at the Lieutenant Governor’s BC Book Prizes Gala on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at the Pinnacle Harbourfront Hotel in Vancouver.  The Honourable Judith Guichon, OBC, British Columbia’s Lieutenant Governor, will be in attendance for the evening’s festivities. For more information, or to purchase tickets for the event, visit bcbookprizes.ca.