
A Celebration to Remember—The 59th Annual New England Book Show
On Tuesday, May 3rd, more than 300 book builders and book lovers gathered at Boston Symphony Hall to celebrate the 59th Annual New England Book Show.
As our guests filed in, they picked up a copy of our beautiful Book Show catalog, designed by students from the Lesley University College of Art and Design Community Design Studio.
We received hundreds of amazing entries this year, including many first-time entrants. In January, our panel of judges combed through each and every entry to pick out the best of the best. All of the winning books, eBooks, and covers were displayed for all to see, touch, and read.
At 5:30 pm, Christopher Hartman presented the prestigious W.A. Dwiggins award to Michele Brennan, VP of Business Development at Bridgeport National Bindery.
Michele has been in the book making business for decades, and she has served the Bookbuilders of Boston organization for 7 years, serving as co-chair of the Book Show for several of those years. She has made countless contributions to the New England publishing industry, and she is exceptionally deserving of this award.
Here’s to you, Michele!
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We heard from our president, Iris Febres, as she highlighted the successes Bookbuilders of Boston has enjoyed this past year. We exhibited at the Boston Book Festival, planned our 2nd Annual NEPCo Awards, hosted well-attended casual networking events, and reconnected with the Education Fund.
Dinner began, and we enjoyed some pretty exquisite salads and the most tender, flavorful short ribs (in my humble opinion)!
Around 7:00 pm we heard from Bob Banning with an announcement about our Summer Casual Networking Event (come for a potluck picnic at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, July 20 at Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park). My brilliant co-chair Sarah Bell spoke next, thanking our entrants, sponsors, and everyone involved in making this book show a huge success. I then said a few words about how much we are looking forward to next year’s 60th Annual Book Show. Emerson College will be designing the 2017 catalog, and Rosie Gutmann will serve as co-chair along with me.
The evening wrapped up around 8:45, when we packed up the books and said our last thank yous and goodbyes. Throughout the show, I happily watched as professionals and students networked, old friends reunited, and new friends were made. This is what the New England Book Show is all about. We not only celebrate the incredible achievements our industry makes in book design and production, but we also celebrate the relationships we have formed with one another through the book building process. I am so proud to be a part of this organization, and I cannot wait to begin planning next year’s 60th Book Show.
If you are interested in being a committee member for the 60th Annual New England Book Show, please contact me at kristina@newenglandbookshow.org.
And if you couldn’t make it but would like a catalog, or if you’re looking for extra catalogs, you’re in luck: we have a limited number available via newenglandbookshow.org. (Note that a $10 shipping fee applies.)
Lastly, I want to extend a very special thank you to Amanda Weikel, our photographer for the show, and our fabulous sponsors, without whom the show would not be made possible.

- Recap—The 60th Annual New England Book Show - June 19, 2017
- A Celebration to Remember—The 59th Annual New England Book Show - May 16, 2016
- New England Book Show Tickets on Sale Now! - April 5, 2016
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