Nonna’s Book of Mysteries Selected By ForeWord Reviews For 2010 Book Of The Year

July 27, 2011 - PRLog -- Chicago’s newest independent publisher, Lake Street Press, is pleased to announce that Nonna’s Book of Mysteries by Mary Osborne has been selected by ForeWord Reviews as the 2010 Book of the Year bronze winner.  Representing more than 350 publishers, finalists were selected from 1400 entries in 56 categories. These books are examples of independent publishing at its finest.  This award follows an unprecedented number of other book awards for the same title and comes as a reassuring nod to Chicago’s start-up publisher.

Nonna’s Book of Mysteries (Lake Street Press, June 2010) is a finalist for the 2010 Book of the Year Awards in the young adult fiction category.  This historical novel, which appeals to adults as well as teens, is the story of a young woman whose quest to become a painter in Renaissance Florence is guided by her grandmother’s book of alchemy.  Book one of the Alchemy Series, the novel has an ALA nomination for best feminist teen fiction, a Benjamin Franklin nomination for best first book, and four festival awards.  The book was featured in the Chicago Public Library reading program for teens.  The author is a Chicago native and registered nurse.

“Voices of light from the city,” Lake Street Press, eschews the trend to celebrate the dark, gritty, or vampiresque.  Creating just a few special titles annually, the press is committed to publishing inspiring books by Midwestern authors.  Forthcoming titles include Beyond the Pews (July 2011) by radio personality Jillian Maas Backman and Searcher:  The Artistic Vision of John Ford (spring 2012) by St. Gregory the Great artist in residence Joseph Malham.

ForeWord Reviews’ Book of the Year Awards program was established to help publishers like Lake Street shine an additional spotlight on their best titles and bring increased attention to librarians and booksellers of the literary achievements of independent publishers and their authors. Award winners are chosen from librarians and booksellers, who are on the front lines everyday working with patrons and customers.  ForeWord is the only review trade journal devoted exclusively to books.  Winners will be announced at the American Library Association show in New Orleans on June 23, 2011.