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Exceptional Reads: Writers Notes Nook Award Winners
Recently, Writers Notes Magazine announced the winners of the 2004 Writers Notes Book Awards. Award-winning author and senior magazine editor Christopher Klim (Everything Burns, Jesus Lives in Trenton) talks about the exceptional reads found in the category 1st Runners-Up and Notables.
(PRWEB) April 5, 2004 --Writers Notes Magazine is already being compared to early literary start-ups as The Paris Review and Story. Senior editor Christopher Klim understands the true spirit of those remarks.
Both of those magazines were knee-jerk reactions to what was going on at the times," says Klim, cult author of Everything Burns and Jesus Lives in Trenton. They were bootstrap operations that paid homage to story and the writing craft."
It was this notion that led to the 2004 Writers Notes Book Awards. Certain books and stories are being flat-out ignored in areas of the publishing industry," Klim says. Everything is politically supercharged today, which the average reader finds tiresome if not didactic. The WNBA was meant to have an even hand and shed light on unseen offerings."
Heres a brief look at the category 1st Runners-Up and Notables. (Complete coverage of all winners can be found in Writers Notes Magazine and at www.WritersNotes.com.):
Spirit & Creator could have easily won the art category. We were really splitting hairs. Its not only a beautiful coffee table book but a thorough discovery of the vital engineer who designed the Spirit of St. Louis in only 60 days! Other books to check out in the category: Temptations for a Juvenile Delinquent captures the essence of what it means to be a boy all grown up; Romancing the Rain is a joyous journey into the Amazon jungle, wrapped around a life-affirming, life-threatening trip; Abecedarium is wonderful childrens alphabet book and a pure joy on many levels.
The Contortionist's Handbook is one of those stories that draws you in, slowly revealing the protagonists past, setting up a surprise ending. Other books in the general fiction category worth checking out are: Anthropology of An American Girl is a memoir like novel with beautiful writing; Elvis and the Blue Moon Conspiracy is a laugh riot; India Fortunes is a sweeping tale wrapped around a historical novel of India; May Not Appear Exactly As Shown is a reflective personal voyage that wont go unnoticed.
For commercial fiction, we set the genres against each other, seeking the best reads. Dear Heart, How Like You This is an informative and entertaining historical romance with a twist. The protagonist is perhaps in love with a ghost. Other books that captured our fancy: Merlin the Sorcerer bridges time and is where fantasy meets adventure; Andros Draws The Line is an insightful crime thriller with legs. Addie Fay and Old Yellow Streak is an adventure with literary sensibilities.
Sweet Dreams Douglas is a childrens book about finding the unique ingredients that stirs your soul. The drawings of Douglas the dog are irresistible. Notables in the category include: Let's Make-Believe is the perfect balance childs play and imagination for a younger audience; My Dad, Everyone's Soldier is timely, poignant, and right on the mark; Tobin Learns to Make Friends offers relief for socially challenged kids, an introduction for navigating our world successfully.
For young adults, Iraq, 2003 arrives not a moment too soon, covering the recent Iraq conflict with candor and accuracy. Other young readers include: Miranda and Starlight affirms that girls and horses will never grow tiresome; Monday Redux covers tough material with edgy, jazzy prose; Countdown to College: 21 'To Do' Lists for High School is one of the most complete books of its type.
The culture category offered a variety of treats like a send-up of academia in the bogus college catalogue, University of Psychogenic Fugue. Other must-see books include: New Leadership into the 21st Century points out the need to revisit, if not entirely rewrite history, especially from the minority perspective; The Smoke Week: Sept. 11-21, 2001 is a poets searing recollection of the collapse of the World Trade Center and its lingering effects; War Stories reaffirms my faith in journalism through the historical perspective of its most difficult subject-war.
For business readers, Breakthrough reveals that your biggest barrier to success might just be inside of you and proceeds to get you over that hurdle. Hall Career Choice Inventory is the perfect book for uncovering your career desires, direction, and choice. Never Be Boring Again explains what an author already knows-tell a great story and youve captivated your audience.
The 1st Runner-Up in the reference category was The Restaurant Manager's Handbook, everything youd need to know about running your eating/drinking establishment. The reference category also featured: Rugg's Recommendations on the Colleges slices the loaf of college choices and seasons it with a dash of humor; The Second Coming of Jesus the Messiah helps put the difficult and misunderstood Christian Book of Revelations into perspective; Venice In Context might become your most trusted companion in that wonderful, sinking city.
For the home, perhaps a million or two might make use of The Floor is Not an Option, getting you in tune and organized with your stuff, including loads of helpful suggestions for the most messy among us. Other books to investigate include: Pants for Real People is a no-brainer for regular people and anyone with a lick of sewing ability; Cooking Around the Calendar with Kids is an inspired cook book that you might buy as a gift and wind up keeping.
Anyone whos had to deal with ADHD or its symptoms in their children will find ADHD: A Complete and Authoritative Guide essential for navigating the tough terrain of this burgeoning problem. Other memorable titles include: R&R: Rescue and Relief is an innovative yet practical approach to healing repetitive motion injuries; The Mate Map wants you to pinpoint the right mate and avoid much of the trial and error of dating, so you can have want you need and want in a partner; Zoey and the Zones is a storybook and workbook combination that assists kids and parents in dealing with the pervasive problem of asthma.
The legacy category earmarked books published two years or earlier for a second look by readers. Special Diets for Special Kids took 1st Runner Up for not only outlining the restrictive diets helpful to kids with all types of developmental disorders but serving as a primer for the conflicting information that a parent must navigate en route to discovery and solutions. Other lasting books include: A Walk for Sunshine is a memoir and trail diary for one special Appalachian Trail journey; Neuro-Cranial Restructuring discusses Howells groundbreaking approach to healing by realigning cranial bones. Take a Backyard Bird Walk is all that youll need for an afternoon of outdoor exploration and enjoyment with the kids.
Full coverage of each category can be found in Writers Notes Magazine and at www.WritersNotes.com.
The premiere issue of Writers Notes Magazine may be purchased tax free and with free U.S. shipping or at reduced subscription rates at www.WritersNotes.com.
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