2018 DAVID THOMPSON SPECIAL SERVICE AWARD: Lesa Holstine
Bouchercon (The World Mystery Convention) Board of Directors is proud to announce that Lesa Holstine is the recipient of the 2018 David Thompson Memorial Special Service Award for her contributions to the mystery community.
The David Thompson Memorial Special Service Award was created by the Bouchercon Board to honor the memory and contributions to the crime fiction community by David Thompson, a beloved Houston bookseller who passed away in 2010. Recipients are recognized for their “extraordinary efforts to develop and promote the crime fiction field.” The David Thompson Award will be presented during the Anthony Awards ceremony on September 8, 2018 at Bouchercon in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Lesa Holstine has been sharing her passion for books—especially mysteries—with readers since 2005. Her blog, Lesa’s Book Critiques, is a go-to destination for readers. Her reviews now appear in Mystery Readers Journal, ReadertoReader.com, and in Library Journal. Lesa is also the blogger for The Poisoned Pen Bookstore , and she started the Authors @ The Teague program in the Glendale, Arizona Library System.
Lesa is the author of the “Mystery Fiction” chapter in Genreflecting: A Guide to Popular Reading Interests (7th ed.) and has been a panelist for Sisters in Crime at the Public Library Association’s conference and has served on panels at Left Coast Crime and Bouchercon. She has also moderated crime fiction panels at the Tucson Festival of Books.
Lesa is beloved by readers and acclaimed authors alike.
Louise Penny, author of the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series, said: “Lesa has championed crime writing with intelligence, passion, warmth and insight. This meaningful award, named for a wonderful man, could not go to a better recipient than Lesa Holstine!”
Craig Johnson, author of the Walt Longmire Series, said: “When you write for a living you’ve always got that one reader that you’re shooting for, the one that will get what you’re trying to do, and for me that reader is Lesa Holstine.”
Hank Phillippi Ryan, author of the Jane Ryand series and the forthcoming TRUST ME, said: “Lesa’s unabashed enthusiasm, unflagging support and astonishing knowledge of crime fiction continues to change lives and change careers. Her incredibly hard work as a librarian, blogger, reviewer and cheerleader enriches our community and brightens our days.”
Cara Black, author of the Aimée Leduc series, said: “Lesa began a visiting author series and welcomed every mystery author in town with open arms to her library. I remember Lesa sitting in the back and writing away, supporting me and the authors who felt privileged to be invited. This honor is so deserved!”
Lori Rader-Day Books, award-winning author, said: “Lesa Holstine is joy personified. I love her enthusiasm for mystery reading.”
Jane Cleland, author of the Josie Prescott series, said: “Lesa is a doll, a complete peach! She’s also a terrific writer, clear and insightful.”
Congratulations on this honor! I’m a subscriber to your blog — so happy for you!
CONGRATULATIONS, Lesa!
Congratulations!!! Well deserved.
Congratulations again. Most deserving.
Thank you! So much of it is thanks to all of you readers and the blog. Thank you!
Congratulations, Lisa!! How exciting for you and so well deserved!
Congratulations!! It is truly so well deserved!
Congratulations
Super news for a super lady. Congratulations, Lesa!
Congrats again! Well deserved.
Thank you, everyone. I really do appreciate all your support and kind words. Thank you.
No one deserves it more. I am SO proud of you, Lesa!
xxoo
Kaye, I want to grow up to be like you. I admire you so much. Hugs!
Reiterating congratulations left on Goodreads
Thank you, Liz!
Congratulations Lisa, I have been a daily reader of your blog for a very log time now and have followed so many of your recommendations. A justly deserved honor.
Wow! Congratulations. Such wonderful tributes and testimonies. How wonderful that you've been such a support to the mystery community.
So much deserved!! You are actually my only go to person for recommendations. There is really only so many hours in a day and you manage to recommend titles enough to fill up my "reading" hours. A big thank-you!
Congratters, Lesa!
Thank you! Pat and Diane, that's why I do what I do as a librarian and a blogger. Your notes are what it's all about. Thank you for allowing me to share books with you.
Congratulations! What a wonderful honor.
Congratulations. Very, very well deserved. I don't know where you get your energy to accomplish so much but thanks for doing so!
Many congratulations on your award. This is so great and too have many mystery writers praising your work. That's awesome!
Congratulations! Very well deserved!
Congratulations, Lesa! What a great honor for a very deserving person. Happy for you!Hope you're celebrating!
Thank you, everyone! I am enjoying the comments. I appreciate them.
I am not at all surprised by this and think it is brilliant! So happy for you Lesa. Well, well deserved! Hugs!