Published: Sept. 2, 1999

Two CU-Boulder faculty members are finalists for the 8th annual Colorado Book Awards.

Law professor and murder mystery novelist Marianne Wesson is a finalist in the Adult Fiction category for her book, "Render Up the Body."

"I’m delighted, of course, especially because it is possible to read ‘Render Up The Body’ as nothing more than a work of genre fiction," said Wesson. "But I hoped the book would find readers looking not just for a mystery, but also something more. This recognition is very meaningful to me, and very satisfying."

John Behrendt, a Senior Research Associate with the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR), is a finalist in the Adult Non-Fiction category for his book, "Innocents on the Ice." The book is about his experiences from a 17-month Antarctic Expedition during the International Year 1957-58 and his 40 years of Antarctic research. Behrendt explains the changes in scientific activities and environmental awareness in Antarctica today.

"I am very pleased to have 'Innocents on the Ice' judged a finalist for this award," said Behrendt. "I intended it not only as an account of my youthful adventures in Antarctic exploration, but as a more mature reflection on how the United States Antarctic Program has evolved during the transition from 'heroic' to the 'scientific age.'"

The book awards are sponsored by the Colorado Center for the Book. The awards are given annually to Colorado authors of the best books published each year as judged by a panel from the Colorado book community.

CCFTB began the awards as a way to champion Colorado authors and, in particular, to honor the winners and promote their titles throughout Colorado and the nation.

There are seven categories overall including Poetry, Guide Books, Romance, ChildrenÂ’s and Young Adult.

CCFTB will announce the winners on Oct. 29 at an awards ceremony at the Denver Press Club.