Times Book Awards

Ruth Ozeki, left, smiles after winning the fiction category for her book, “A Tale for the Time Being,” as presenter Joy Press looks on.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Via video, poet Rod Padgett thanks the judges after winning the poetry category for “Collected Poems.”  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Sherri Fink addresses the crowd after winning in the current interest category with her book, “Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm-Ravaged Hospital,” her investigation into the deaths of patients at a New Orleans hospital devastated by Hurricane Katrina.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Gene Luen Yang, left, is all smiles after winning the young adult literature category for his book, “Boxers & Saints,” presented to him by Tahereh Mafi.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Marie Arana, left, looks over her award for biography for her book, “Bolivar: American Liberator,” as presenter Patt Morrison observes. Arana told the audience it took her five years to write the book.  (Genaro Molina/ Los Angeles Times)

USC President C.L. Max Nikias, second from right, and L.A. Times Publisher Eddy W. Hartenstein, right, enjoy a conversation before the start of the 34th Annual Los Angeles Times Book Prizes at Bovard Auditorium.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Susan Straight is congratulated by Jonathan Kirsch after receiving the Robert Kirsch Award for lifetime achievement.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Susan Straight gives her speech after receiving the Robert Kirsch Award for lifetime achievement. In her novels she has explored Rio Seco, a fictional Southern California town reminiscent of Riverside, where she lives.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Author John Green, right, looks over the crowd before the start of the event.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

The image of author John Green is projected on the screen at the start of the 34th Annual Los Angeles Times Book Prizes event at USC.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)