The Washington Center for the Book at The Seattle Public Library has announced the winners of the 2012 Washington State Book Awards for six outstanding books published by Washington authors in 2011.

Islander Shiro Kashiba’s book, “Shiro: Wit, Wisdom & Recipes from a Sushi Pioneer,” published by Chin Music Press, was a finalist in the biography/memoir category.

This is the 45th year of the program, formerly called the Governor’s Writers Awards.

A book award is given based on the strength of the publication’s literary merit, lasting importance and overall quality.

The 2012 Washington State Book Award finalists include highly successful published authors, such as David Guterson of Bainbridge Island, who is represented by Alfred A. Knopf publishers.