Watch the California Book Awards

The finest California authors of 2008 came out Thursday night, June 4, for The Commonwealth Club’s 78th Annual California Book Awards. Award recipients and finalists mingled, swapped writing tales, and enjoyed an evening of literature and elegance. The ceremony was marked by speeches from honorees August Kleinzahler (poetry), John Adams (nonfiction), and Adam Mansbach (fiction), as well as Ellen Klages (young adult), Rachel Kushner and David Vann (first fiction), Dan Bellm (poetry), and Deanne Stillman (nonfiction). Paul Karlstrom, whose book received the Contribution to Publishing award, also came out to accept. Following the ceremony, guests were treated to a book signing involving all award winners in attendance, while enjoying wine and hors d’oeuvres.

A list of the winners is online here. The video below is of the awards ceremony recognizing the newest winners of this prestigious prize.