Phosphorescence: Julia Baird’s bestseller wins book of the year Elissa Blake A comforting and inspiring read for many during the pandemic lockdown months, Julia Baird’s Phosphorescence: On Awe, Wonder And Things That Sustain You When The World Goes Dark was awarded book of the year on Wednesday night at the Australian Book Industry Awards in Sydney. The event brought together publishers, writers and booksellers after a year that saw book sales soar during lockdowns. Blending science writing and personal memoir, Baird’s bestselling book explores the impact of happiness and contentment on our health, weaving in the story of her cancer diagnosis and subsequent surgeries.