Award season has begun, what with the Booker announced yesterday and the NBA finalists coming out later today, but the Quills, announced last night are unique, not least because it’s one award where librarians get the kudos they deserve in the book world. Many librarians vote on the awards, now in its second year, and the winners noticed, as many of their remarks included librarians among the list of thank yous. About half-way through the ceremony, Harry Connick, Jr. talked about the reopening of the Alvar Street Branch in New Orleans, and a video clip of the library played to a warm reception.

Some half-dozen LJ staffers attended, all in black tie (an uncommon enough event for any editor) and ready to compare thoughts on the winners. If you’re ever betting on the winners and you’re next to LJ editor Wilda Williams, here’s some advice: go with what she says. As we tag-teamed our way through the 19 categories, Willy got six of the winners cold and had strong instincts on several others. It’s true, she picked Calvin Trillin’s A Heckuva Job in the humor category, but right before the winner was announced she said, “You can’t underestimate Madea.” Sure enough, Madea won for Don’t Make a Black Woman Take Off Her Earrings, and that title also won book of the year. Later, when Marley and Me was up for biography/memoir (it had already won for audio), she added, “You can’t compete with a dead dog.” And she was right again.