Professor’s Novel a WA Book Award Finalist | 2024 | News & Stories

The latest novel by communications professor Sonora Jha, PhD in philosophy, Laughteris a finalist for the 2024 Washington State Book Awards.

The best-selling work, described as “an explosive, tense, and enlightening work of fiction and a compelling portrait of privilege, radicalization, class, and modern science that forces us to confront the assumptions we make as readers and citizens,” is nominated for the fiction award.

“I am truly honored to have my book shortlisted among such phenomenal books by writers I admire so much,” says Jha, who is also associate dean for faculty scholarship and community outreach in the College of Arts and Sciences. “My heartfelt thanks go to the panel of librarians, library staff, independent booksellers, and authors, who clearly had a tough job to do. Congratulations to all the writers!”

The Washington Center for the Book — a branch of the Library of Congress Center for the Book administered by the Washington State Library — has selected 39 finalists in seven categories for this year’s WSBA. All of the books were considered outstanding and were published by Washington authors in 2023. This is the 58th year of the program, formerly known as the Governor’s Writers Awards.

The winners will be announced on September 24, 2024.

Check out the list of all nominees in Seattle Times