Authors Honored at 2019 Indies Choice and E.B. White Read-Aloud Awards

By Emily Behnke

Independent booksellers gathered at the Choice Stage at BookExpo 2019 at New York City’s Javits Convention Center on Thursday, May 30, for the 19th annual Indies Choice Book Awards ceremony, formerly the Celebration of Bookselling Lunch.

Incoming ABA Board President Jamie Fiocco, owner of Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, took the podium to present the 2019 Indies Choice Book Awards and the E.B. White Read-Aloud Awards, the latter celebrating its 16th year, in honor of the authors and illustrators of notable books that reflect the spirit of independent bookstores nationwide.

The winners and honor books in all categories, with the exception of Indie Champion and Picture Book Hall of Fame, were chosen from titles appearing on the Indie Next Lists in 2018, with additional titles for the E.B. White Read-Aloud Awards nominated by bookseller members of the ABC Children’s Group at ABA. The E.B. White Read-Aloud Awards recognize books that reflect the themes, language, and universal appeal embodied by E.B. White’s children’s books.

In addition to a plaque, each winner received a $250 gift certificate to their local independent bookstore. See the full list of winners at the American Booksellers Association web site.

Congratulations to Book Club favorites Madeline Miller, Tara Westover, and Tommy Orange for their wins! Tara Westover’s Educated and Tommy Orange’s There, There are both currently featured among our Books in the Bag book club selections.