Two authors from Norfolk County are among six finalists for the Speaker’s Book Award, which highlights the best non-fiction writing in Ontario.
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The titles nominated are both memoirs.
Where the Falcon Flies by Adam Shoalts follows the Canadian explorer’s 3,400-kilometer odyssey to track the migration path of the peregrine falcon from Long Point to the Arctic.
First-time author Liz Grace details the challenges of overcoming a mental-health disorder and profound hearing loss in Resilient: Surviving My Mental Illness.
Anthony Randell, co-owner of Beach Reads Bookshop, an independent bookstore in Port Dover, is pleased two local authors are up for the provincial literary prize.
“It’s amazing,” Randell said. “It’s another aspect of the county that might not get recognition or discussed enough, but there’s some great authors here. There’s some great stories here, and it makes you feel proud.”
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Randell said Where the Falcon Flies lets readers take an epic trip without leaving their couch.
“Most people that I know aren’t going to go to the Arctic by canoe,” he said with a laugh, “so it kind of allows you to experience something you wouldn’t normally experience.
“And he’s such a gifted writer. You really get pulled along in that journey with him.”
Noting the stigma that persists around talking openly about mental health, Randell called Grace’s memoir of experiencing the turbulence of depression, psychosis and schizoaffective disorder “an inspiring story.”
“It was very brave and courageous of her to tell her story,” Randell said.
“For people who are struggling or have family members who are struggling, to hear somebody who’s gone through to the other side could (provide) positive hope for them.”
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Both nominated titles are currently in stock at Beach Reads, and at independent fellow bookstore Firefly and Fox Books in Simcoe.
The Speaker’s Book Award “recognizes non-fiction works by Ontario authors reflecting the diverse culture and rich history of the province and of its residents,” according to the legislature’s website.
The other contenders for this year’s award are a biography of former prime minister John Turner by broadcaster Steve Paikin, a memoir by former politician and NHL goaltender Ken Dryden, a rumination on poverty and the class system by Toronto Star books editor Deborah Dundas, and 1934 : The Chatham Colored All-Stars’ Barrier-Breaking Year by Heidi LM Jacobs, which looks at the intersection of baseball and race in the 1930s.
The winning book — to be announced in the fall — will be featured in the legislative library at Queen’s Park and in the legislative assembly gift shop. The author gets a cash prize.
JP Antonacci is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter based at the Hamilton Spectator. The initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
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