Vancouver Book Award

Winner of the 2009 Award Announced!

Mayor Gregor Robertson presented Lee Henderson with the 2009 Award on November 3rd. 2009. Selected by a jury of peers, Mr. Henderson was presented with a $2,000 prize at a reception for him and the two other finalists: Gabor Maté and Meredith Quartermain.

The three shortlisted titles for 2009 were chosen by: Janice Douglas, Fernanda Vivieros and Fred Wah. This jury also selected the winning entry.

Read the October 14th announcement of the 2009 finalists, learn about the 2008 finalists, or explore the list of previous winners.

About the Awards

Since 1989 the Vancouver Book Award has been recognizing authors of excellence writing books in any genre that contribute to the appreciation and understanding of Vancouver’s history, unique character or the achievements of its residents.

The book may be fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or drama written for adults or children and may explore any aspect of the city such as its history, geography, current affairs, or the arts. The winning book must also exhibit excellence in content, illustration, design, and/or format. The eligibility and evaluation criteria for the award reflect the importance of diversity in literary genres and subject matter.

Promotional support of The Vancouver Book Award is provided annually by the Georgia Straight . Watch each fall for your opportunity to win all of the shortlisted books!

History and source of funds

The $2000 prize is funded by interest earned from the City’s Publishing Reserve which was established in 1977 as a permanent legacy for Vancouver writers and publishers. The fund received royalties generated from Vancouver’s First Century: a photo history of Vancouver edited by City staff. The third edition of the book, renamed Vancouver: A City Album, for many years generated royalty payments for the fund.

Vancouver In Print: 100 Books from a Century Past
An exhibition of Vancouver's historical bibliography

A century of books covering everything from Vancouver's history and politics to its literature and culture were featured in this exhibition, which opened at City Hall January 23, 2001. Presented by the City of Vancouver and the University of British Columbia Library, Vancouver in Print highlighted key books representing excellence and variety in works published about the city since its incorporation in 1886. [ See the complete list of titles (14kb) ].

The 100 books were chosen from the Vancouver Bibliography, a comprehensive compilation of material written about Vancouver. The bibliography was the centennial project of the Vancouver Historical Society in 1986, and continues to be supported and maintained by the society and the UBC Library. Today, it contains almost 20,000 entries and is online at: www.library.ubc.ca/vancouverbibliography .

Vancouver in Print was a celebration of the bibliography and its significance to researchers and citizens, and of the richness and diversity of publications about our city. The 100 books on display were selected by an independent committee and were on loan for the exhibition from UBC Library's Special Collections and University Archives division.

Organized in conjunction with the City of Vancouver Book Award, the exhibition offered glimpses of the city through historical documents such as the 1886 City of Vancouver Voters' List. Some of the more lively titles in the exhibit were The Enterprising Mr. Moody, The Bumptious Captain Stamp: The Lives and Colourful Times of Vancouver's Lumber Pioneers and The First Vancouver Catalogue: All the Appurtenances of a Civilized, Amusing, Comfortable Life. Also included are several winners of the City of Vancouver Book Award including 2001's winner, Lions Gate by Lilia D'Acres and Donald Luxton. 

The exhibition was featured at City Hall until February 9 and then toured to the central branch of the Vancouver Public Library, then to UBC, and finally to the B.C. Book Awards banquet at the Wall Centre.

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