I’m so pleased that the Wisconsin Library Association has named A Reunion of Ghosts one of the 10 outstanding books published in 2015 by a Wisconsin writer. Congrats, too, to my pals Andrea Potos and David Ebenbach whose poetry collections were recognized. Here’s the press release:

Madison, Wisconsin – June 28, 2016 – The Literary Awards Committee of the Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) is pleased to announce the 2016 Literary Award winner: Lynsey Addario for: It’s What I Do: A Photographer’s Life of Love and War. This is the highest literary achievement by a Wisconsin author for a work written in 2015.

“We couldn’t be more proud of Lynsey Addario’s achievement,” said Plumer Lovelace, Executive Director for WLA. “There were many excellent books from Wisconsin writers this year, but her efforts were impressive.”

Lynsey Addario, a 1995 graduate of UW-Madison, has written a book that is gripping, enlightening and (surprisingly, considering her unique experiences) relatable. This work of literary non-fiction offers many thrilling tales, addressing the risks and nomadic lifestyle inherent to a combat photographer’s career. Readers will gain a deeper appreciation of how photographers capture images that tell stories without words. This book is recommended to anyone searching for a riveting read, one that challenges our views of other cultures, offers compelling war reporting and inspires with a story of overcoming great obstacles to further one’s life passion.

The Literary Awards Committee also selected ten books by Wisconsin authors for Outstanding Achievement. These titles, all published in 2015, are:

Washing the Dead by Michelle Brafman
Beneath the Bonfire by Nickolas Butler
The Crops Look Good by Sara DeLuca
A Winsome Murder by James Devita
Days of Awe by Lauren Fox
Meet Me Halfway by Jennifer Morales
A Reunion of Ghosts by Judith Claire Mitchell
The Dead Lands by Benjamin Percy
The Bookseller by Cynthia Swanson
The Mysteries of Soldiers Grove by Paul Zimmer

Additionally, the Committee recognized three works of Outstanding Poetry. These titles are:

We Were the People Who Moved by David Ebenbach
Nectar of Story by Tim Myers
An Ink Like Early Twilight by Andrea Potos