Since 1931, the California Book Awards have honored the exceptional literary merit of California writers and publishers. Each year a select jury considers hundreds of books in search of the very best in literary achievement. Eligible books must be written while the author is a resident of California, and they must be published during the year under consideration.

Awards are presented in the categories of Fiction, Nonfiction, First Work of Fiction, Poetry, Californiana, Notable Contribution to Publishing, Juvenile Literature and Young Adult Literature.

The ceremony for books published in 2012 will take place place on Thursday, June 6, 2013, in San Francisco.

September 27, 2012
“What Krugman and Stiegliz can tell us”
by Jacob Hacke ad Paul Pierson
Photo and extended captions illustrates these two book reviews.

July/August, 2012
News Photographer, NPPA, “California’s Fantasy Dream”
By Melanie Light and Photographs by Ken Light. We co-wrote this article about how and why we created this project for other photographers.

June 16th, 2012
The Daily Beast had an in-depth review by Malcolm Jones
Here’s the gallery of images posted with the review.

June 12
ProPhotoDaily,” In Focus: Ken and Melanie Light’s Valley ‘Triumph’”
By David Schonaur

May 27,2012
S.F. Chronicle, “Land of Misfortune”
By Kenneth Baker
Photography review

May 19, 2012
New York Times, Multi Media Sunday Review, Exposures, “The Vanishing Valley.”

Join the us and the Pesticide Action Network(PAN) to an evening of thanks and celebration along with organic desserts, wine and cheest on the 30th anniversary of PAN;s founding. Ken and Melanie LIght’s book and exhibit, “Valley of Shadows & Dreams” will be open to guests and a book signing will be held from 7-8pm. Book sale proceeds will be donated to PAN.

visit our facebook event page here.

RSVP by October 16th to Leticia@panna.org or

©Ken Light

Sep 29, 2012 | 2:00 – 3:30 pm

Join Ken Light as he shares stories and inspiration from his career-from his early work experiences to his most recent project with author Melanie Light, Valley of Shadows and Dreams, a photographic exploration of California’s Central Valley now on view in the Art Gallery.

A book signing of Valley of Shadows and Dreams in the OMCA Store follows the lecture.

*for more info visit the Oakland Museum of California website:

http://museumca.org/calendar/marvin-spohn-lecture-graphic-arts-photographer-ken-light

The second exhibition, Beth Yarnell Edwards: Suburban Dreams (January 19 – June 30, 2013) features large-scale color photographs of domestic scenarios revealing how people behave in their homes. Coinciding with the opening of the new Bay Bridge span, the third exhibition, Peter Stackpole: Bridging the Bay (July 20 – December 2013), features stunning black-and-white photographs o the original San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge construction by one ofLIFE magazine’s first staff photographers.

Check out the interview with Ken and Melanie at this British Photo site>

On June 16th, Malcolm Jones did a very thoughtful review of the book. They also published a gallery of images.