Theme of Resilience and Reflection

As award recipients from 12 categories took to the stage, many spoke to the current political climate in the United States and the community’s efforts to recover from recent disastrous firestorms in Los Angeles.

Poet Remica Bingham-Risher, the winner of the poetry category, reflected on the historical abuse endured by her grandmothers, emphasizing the importance of using one’s voice during challenging times. Meanwhile, Jesse Katz, honored in the current interest category, urged the audience to acknowledge the individuality of residents in MacArthur Park, a community often subjected to stigma.

Acknowledging Literary Excellence

Pico Iyer was awarded the Robert Kirsch Award for lifetime achievement, recognizing his substantial ties to the American West. His latest work, Aflame: Learning From Silence, explores the impact of loss, echoing his own experiences during a wildfire in 1990. “What initially presented itself mostly as loss began to open doors,” Iyer stated, sharing his hope for others navigating similar challenges.

Emily Witt accepted the Christopher Isherwood Prize for her autobiographical prose memoir, Health and Safety: A Breakdown, which delves into New York’s nightlife. Drawing parallels to Isherwood’s writings on pre-WWII Berlin, Witt pointed out that like his characters, her memoir’s figures grapple with a profound awareness of societal issues.

Amanda Gorman received the Innovator’s Award for her transformative contribution to literature, emphasizing the importance of compassion in her poignant acceptance speech.

Notable Winners and Their Works

The night honored several notable authors, including:

• Laura Beers: Won the biography prize for Orwell’s Ghosts: Wisdom and Warnings for the Twenty-First Century.
• Rebecca Boyle: Claimed the science and technology award for Our Moon: How Earth’s Celestial Companion Transformed the Planet, Guided Evolution, and Made Us Who We Are.
• Kim Johnson: Awarded in young adult literature for The Color of a Lie, which reflects on themes of racism and identity.
• Danielle Trussoni: Honored for her mystery/thriller The Puzzle Box.

Looking Ahead: Festival of Books

This ceremony serves as a prelude to the Festival of Books, which promises a weekend of literary dialogues featuring more than 550 storytellers across various stages. Notable participants are set to include Amor Towles, Stacey Abrams, and Claire Hoffman, while culinary and performance arts will also feature prominently.