150 Award Genres
Children
- Children - Action
- Children - Adventure
- Children - Animals
- Children - Audiobook
- Children - Christian
- Children - Coming of Age
- Children - Concept
- Children - Educational
- Children - Fable
- Children - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
- Children - General
- Children - Grade 4th-6th
- Children - Grade K-3rd
- Children - Mystery
- Children - Mythology/Fairy Tale
- Children - Non-Fiction
- Children - Picture Book
- Children - Preschool
- Children - Preteen
- Children - Religious Theme
- Children - Social Issues
Christian
- Christian - Amish
- Christian - Biblical Counseling
- Christian - Devotion/Study
- Christian - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
- Christian - Fiction
- Christian - General
- Christian - Historical Fiction
- Christian - Living
- Christian - Non-Fiction
- Christian - Romance - Contemporary
- Christian - Romance - General
- Christian - Romance - Historical
- Christian - Thriller
Fiction
- Fiction - Action
- Fiction - Adventure
- Fiction - Animals
- Fiction - Anthology
- Fiction - Audiobook
- Fiction - Chick Lit
- Fiction - Crime
- Fiction - Cultural
- Fiction - Drama
- Fiction - Dystopia
- Fiction - Fantasy - Epic
- Fiction - Fantasy - General
- Fiction - Fantasy - Urban
- Fiction - General
- Fiction - Graphic Novel/Comic
- Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
- Fiction - Historical - Personage
- Fiction - Holiday
- Fiction - Horror
- Fiction - Humor/Comedy
- Fiction - Inspirational
- Fiction - Intrigue
- Fiction - LGBTQ
- Fiction - Literary
- Fiction - Magic/Wizardry
- Fiction - Military
- Fiction - Mystery - General
- Fiction - Mystery - Historical
- Fiction - Mystery - Legal
- Fiction - Mystery - Murder
- Fiction - Mystery - Sleuth
- Fiction - Mythology
- Fiction - New Adult
- Fiction - Paranormal
- Fiction - Realistic
- Fiction - Religious Theme
- Fiction - Science Fiction
- Fiction - Short Story/Novela
- Fiction - Social Issues
- Fiction - Southern
- Fiction - Sports
- Fiction - Supernatural
- Fiction - Suspense
- Fiction - Tall Tale
- Fiction - Thriller - Conspiracy
- Fiction - Thriller - Environmental
- Fiction - Thriller - Espionage
- Fiction - Thriller - General
- Fiction - Thriller - Legal
- Fiction - Thriller - Medical
- Fiction - Thriller - Political
- Fiction - Thriller - Psychological
- Fiction - Thriller - Terrorist
- Fiction - Time Travel
- Fiction - Urban
- Fiction - Visionary
- Fiction - Western
- Fiction - Womens
Non-Fiction
- Non-Fiction - Adventure
- Non-Fiction - Animals
- Non-Fiction - Anthology
- Non-Fiction - Art/Photography
- Non-Fiction - Audiobook
- Non-Fiction - Autobiography
- Non-Fiction - Biography
- Non-Fiction - Business/Finance
- Non-Fiction - Cooking/Food
- Non-Fiction - Cultural
- Non-Fiction - Drama
- Non-Fiction - Education
- Non-Fiction - Environment
- Non-Fiction - Genealogy
- Non-Fiction - General
- Non-Fiction - Gov/Politics
- Non-Fiction - Grief/Hardship
- Non-Fiction - Health - Fitness
- Non-Fiction - Health - Medical
- Non-Fiction - Historical
- Non-Fiction - Hobby
- Non-Fiction - Home/Crafts
- Non-Fiction - Humor/Comedy
- Non-Fiction - Inspirational
- Non-Fiction - LGBTQ
- Non-Fiction - Marketing
- Non-Fiction - Memoir
- Non-Fiction - Military
- Non-Fiction - Motivational
- Non-Fiction - Music/Entertainment
- Non-Fiction - New Age
- Non-Fiction - Occupational
- Non-Fiction - Parenting
- Non-Fiction - Relationships
- Non-Fiction - Religion/Philosophy
- Non-Fiction - Retirement
- Non-Fiction - Self Help
- Non-Fiction - Short Story/Novela
- Non-Fiction - Social Issues
- Non-Fiction - Spiritual/Supernatural
- Non-Fiction - Sports
- Non-Fiction - Travel
- Non-Fiction - True Crime
- Non-Fiction - Womens
- Non-Fiction - Writing/Publishing
Poetry
Romance
Young Adult
- Young Adult - Action
- Young Adult - Adventure
- Young Adult - Coming of Age
- Young Adult - Fantasy - Epic
- Young Adult - Fantasy - General
- Young Adult - Fantasy - Urban
- Young Adult - General
- Young Adult - Horror
- Young Adult - Mystery
- Young Adult - Mythology/Fairy Tale
- Young Adult - Non-Fiction
- Young Adult - Paranormal
- Young Adult - Religious Theme
- Young Adult - Romance
- Young Adult - Sci-Fi
- Young Adult - Social Issues
- Young Adult - Thriller
Illustration Award
Recommend this book:
The Dr Pepper Prophecies
Jennifer Gilby Roberts
2014 Bronze Medal
300 Pages
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Fiction - Chick Lit
Jennifer Gilby Roberts' The Dr. Pepper Prophecies is about Melanie Parker, who is going through a rough patch in life. After getting her boyfriend a job as her boss, he dumps her and now seems to be making her life a living hell at work, not that she even enjoyed the job in the first place. Her family never stops reminding her of what a loser and a failure she is. Her one positive constant in her life is her best friend, Will, but she's convinced that won't last long because his girlfriend hates Mel and wants her out of Will's life. In an effort to try and at least improve the lives of her friends, she makes it her personal project to make sure they follow her advice. While she tells herself she is thinking of their best interests, things begin to backfire. Yet, she sticks to her motto: what's the worst that can happen?
After reading The Dr. Pepper Prophecies, I can honestly say that Jennifer Gilby Roberts is now at the top of my list of favorite chick lit authors along with Sophie Kinsella. Her writing style had me practically on the floor in uncontrollable fits of laughter. Mel and her crazy antics were just hilarious. Her relationship with Will was adorable. And the plot and the dialogue were incredibly entertaining, amusing, and even heartwarming. I am so grateful for discovering this author; I will definitely be reading the rest of Roberts' books. I highly recommend this book for any chick lit fans. Trust me. You'll thank me.
Recommend this book:
That Crazy Little Thing
Kate Bracy
2014 Silver Medal
342 Pages
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Fiction - Chick Lit
That Crazy Little Thing by Kate Bracy is a love story of friendship between friends, mother and daughter, sister and brother, mother and son. And it is so much more. It takes the painful journey of cancer and makes it a beautiful story of love and caring. Melanie and Donna have been friends since first grade and know everything there is to know about each other… maybe.
We quickly meet the main cast of characters. Donna is a vibrant and happy young woman. Melanie (Mel) is her best friend in the world. Jessie, Mel’s daughter, is a normal, annoying teenage girl. Buddy, Donna’s brother, is always there to help the women any way he can. When Donna is diagnosed with cancer the world changes for all of them – and for us. We share the ups and downs, the good days and bad days. Early in the story Donna reveals a painful secret from her youth, so Mel and Jessie take it as their personal mission to help her find resolution, no matter what it takes or where the path may lead.
Kate Bracy has written a book that touched my heart. I cried, laughed, became happy, sad, and angry for these people who suddenly felt like my friends. The characters were so real that it was impossible not to be a part of their joy and pain. I loved this book. It is written with understanding, warmth, love, and finds good in what seems like a hopeless time. This should be required reading for learning about compassion, friendship, and love. Kate Bracy has made it to the very top of my favorite author’s list and I can’t wait for her next book.
Recommend this book:
Dollars & Diamonds
Paris Jean
2013 Finalist
368 Pages
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Fiction - Chick Lit
Ever since "Sex & the City" ended years ago women like me have been desperately looking for a book, a film or a television show that recaptures the magic. Paris Jean has done just that in "Dollars & Diamonds". While this story is about more than raunchy sex talk and high-priced designer shoes, there is plenty of that and so much more. It is told from the point of view of Jean; we are also introduced to her kooky friends Tammy and Bobette who are both characters in the best sense of the word, in their own right. The story of "Dollars & Diamonds" is not about one thing, it is about love and friendship and fashion and fun.
I am intrigued by the fact that the main character believes the story to be about her relationship with a wimp of a man called Brad, but really it is about tons of misadventures, the friends we rely on to get through life of which failed relationships are a part, and how amazing we look as we navigate the messy road to happiness. For the most part the story is well-written but I think we could’ve gotten to the “fun parts” a little bit sooner. There is just so much to love about "Dollars & Diamonds", particularly Bobette in my opinion, not to mention an incredible mishap with a tasty Greek waiter. Before you turn the last page you will laugh, maybe cry, scream in frustration and end with an emphatic “OH MY GOD!” That is the true test of a great story, which Paris Jean has definitely woven.
Recommend this book:
It's Got to Be Perfect
The memoirs of a modern-day matchmaker
Haley Hill
2013 Bronze Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Chick Lit
If you’re looking for some cheeky matchmaking tale similar to those reality television matchmakers, then Haley Hill’s "It’s Got to Be Perfect" is not the book for you. No, instead of an endless stream of expletives, screaming and gut-wrenching tears "It’s Got to Be Perfect" is as entertaining as watching your favorite rom-com. How do you know your future husband-to-be isn’t right for you? Is it that you can’t remember his middle name? Or could it be that you’ve just found out he has more than a healthy appreciation for internet pornography? Or is it that he tells you you’re moving too soon…on the day of your wedding?
And that is where we begin Ellie’s journey of self-discovery, entrepreneurship and hilarity. After the wedding she takes her quest for love to a dating site. Navigating the choppy waters of dating Ellie finds herself wanting more than the stock of men the internet has offered up so with the help of her best girls decides to put her failed efforts to work for others as a professional matchmaker. This well-written and more often than not laugh out loud story is the perfect example of what the dreaded “chick-lit” moniker should be. The characters and the story are well-developed, the writing is witty and honestly I just didn’t want it to end. Haley Hill does a hilarious job reminding us that it doesn’t have to be perfect, just perfect for us and she does it in a way that keeps the reader engaged and amused without those pesky life lessons often found in tales like this.
Recommend this book:
Capitol Hell
Jayne Jones & Alicia Long
2013 Silver Medal
328 Pages
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Fiction - Chick Lit
"Capitol Hell" by Jayne Jones & Alicia Long introduces readers to a recent college graduate named Allison Amundson. Allison is a small town girl from South Dakota who ends up getting a fantastic job as the scheduler to newly elected United States Senator Anders McDermott. However, the job does not end up being the dream job she had thought it would be. Between a high maintenance boss, crazy co-workers, demanding family and a sudden Presidential Bid, things turn increasingly bad.
Jayne Jones & Alicia Long have created a hilariously funny book on the dysfunction that is our nation's capital. I found myself laughing out loud with this book more than once as I read it. Any book that can actually make me laugh so much that my Husband comes and asks me what is so funny, gets a huge thumbs up from me. Allison is such a great character that you can certainly bond with her over the co-workers and the boss. We have all had some kind of jobs that end up being like a trip through hell. She handles it with a smooth wit and much more class that I may have in the same situation. The story flows well and makes this a very fast and fun read for anyone. This is not a book that is going to make you think too much. There are not any real crazy plot twists or anything like that. It is just a fun, lighthearted, enjoyable bit of entertainment. The perfect read for a breezy weekend or a comfortable night.
Recommend this book:
Rock Radio
Lisa Wainland
2013 Honorable Mention
417 Pages
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Fiction - Chick Lit
"Rock Radio" is the story of an era, where unassailable personalities rule the airwaves, but behind the glass, things aren’t so pretty. Jonny Rock, the station’s main dj, can’t seem to keep his hands off the pretty interns; Dana Drew, the rock and roll kitten of many men’s fantasies, just wants a white picket fence and coordinating husband; and the gorgeous rock star, Cody Blue, is hiding from his dark childhood memories and searching for true love. Together they pursue their dreams, some of which will end in heartbreak and others in danger. The nail-biting climax of the story will have you on the edge of the seat, hoping that the good guys win.
"Rock Radio" allows you to immerse yourself in the fast-paced world of radio in the 90s so thoroughly that you may have trouble emerging again! This is the kind of engrossing literature that makes you forget everything but the story. Don’t start it right before bed, or you’ll be staying up late! The characters are memorable, from the rock dj with the wandering eye to the stalker super-fan who pushes things too far. It had me hanging on until the very last page. Lisa Wainland is to be commended for her writing and I hope she follows it up with something else. It is richly descriptive and full of industry terms and little tricks that show you the inside of the radio business in the 90s when rock was king.
Recommend this book:
Neurotically Yours
A Novel
Bonnie Trachtenberg
2013 Gold Medal
382 Pages
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Fiction - Chick Lit
"Neurotically Yours" by Bonnie Trachtenberg reveals a relationship advice columnist who cannot seem to succeed in romance, even when using her own advice. Dara bases her own love life on experiences with a lost love and one that she rejected after years of on again off again disappointments. When she is released of her duties as a well-known advice columnist, Dara must find a new profession in order to regain her professional confidence as well as support her life style. With the help of her nontraditional friend Reggie and the support of Jesse, her flamboyant cross-dressing neighbor, Dara creates her own dating service MateSearch. While the business is fresh and full of original dating venues, it is also an easy mark for singles looking for an unethical method of gaining public notoriety. In the midst of a wayward lawsuit, Dara is entangled with the client from hell. Her attempts to avoid negative public opinion backfire when local Hollywood talk show diva Ophelia challenges Dara to play by her own rules and make the perfect match for herself. Dara convinces her last boyfriend to pose as the man in her life, until she is forced to devote more time with the man attempting to ruin her now thriving business becomes an everyday fixture; so much so that even her loyal feline friend becomes infatuated with his company.
Trachtenberg weaves a fun and compelling story that, although somewhat formulaic, provides a rare innocence for its genre. There are plenty of twists and an interesting plot that keeps the pages turning. The dialogue moved smoothly between the well developed characters. I really enjoyed Neurotically Yours. It put a smile on my face and renewed my dwindling faith in romantic chick lit.
Recommend this book:
Stiletto Safari
Kate Metz
2012 Silver Medal
257 Pages
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Fiction - Chick Lit
Kate Metz's "Stiletto Safari" is Chick-Lit at its best. Oh my gosh, this was a good read. When I read chick-lit, I want books that will hook me and hold from start to finish, and not let me go until days later. That was exactly what this book did for me.
From hotshot lawyer to African Wildlife Preserver, Zara is a force to be reckoned with. She and her boyfriend breakup after he is arrested. Taking the advice of her friends, she packs up her stuff - perhaps a little too much of her stuff - and heads to the jungles of Africa. There the story just picks up and gets quirkier and quirkier with some great secondary characters who will leave you with a smile on your face. Seeing the differences between a life of glam and a life of poverty was awesome. Mix that in with some fun romance and this is by far my favorite chick-lit book of 2012.
This is a fantastic story. The characters are complex yet witty, the plot is beyond entertaining, and the outcome....well let's just say that this novel deserves more than 5 stars. If you love chick-lit that is filled with laughs, characters that steal your heart, and a connection to the protagonist that makes you feel as if the story is written just for you, then grab up a copy of Kate Metz's book. You will not be sorry! Great job, Ms. Metz!
Recommend this book:
Lessons in the Journey
Patrick K. Dawson
2012 Bronze Medal
276 Pages
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Fiction - Chick Lit
For pediatric surgeon Elizabeth Finch, life is not always perfect, and throws its punches hard, sometimes because of the choices she makes, but sometimes it just happens. We start following Liz’s story when she finds out that her daughter has been shot. And we continue as she seeks to find help in the journey she is facing as her life keeps unraveling before her eyes. Patrick K. Dawson captures the hearts of his readers in his book “Lessons in the Journey,” a provoking, moving and heartwarming story that will draw you into its pages and won’t let you go until you finish reading. As with all of us facing difficult issues in life, Liz was definitely not ready for what life brought her way, and she seems to ask the question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”
We get to know Liz through the flashbacks into her life, meeting the important people in her life along the way. I enjoyed reading the story this way since it gave me the overall feeling of what her life was like: the emotions, the fears, and the pain and suffering she went through. And I could feel the struggles Liz had with her faith throughout her life as well, not at all easy for her. We can take many things from this beautifully written story. Having a strong relationship with the Lord, and trusting Him during our difficulties, and learning how He can take the difficult things and make something good out of them are all very valuable lessons. And the fact is that bad things happen to everyone, in similar ways to some, differently to some others. The important thing is how we handle the situations.
I highly recommend this book to everyone. And for me the most fascinating thing about this book is that it is written by a man. You will wonder how he writes a story so beautifully that it captures the hearts of women. This would be a wonderful book for a book club to read and discuss!
Recommend this book:
Being Anti-Social
Leigh K. Cunningham
2012 Gold Medal
316 Pages
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Fiction - Chick Lit
An excellent read for everyone, "Being Anti-Social" follows the life of an alcoholic from a surprisingly functional family that she tries to deny her love for. Mace was blessed with a strange name, strange friends and a strange family. She is a middle aged woman who made a horrible mistake that ended her marriage. The subsequent death of her ex-husband has left her miserable with guilt and incredibly lonely. She tries to mask this with her favorite drink, Merlot, and will use every opportunity or excuse to get comfy with a bottle of the stuff. This story follows the life of friends and family and their ensuing dynamics. The title of the book stems from Mace's sitter Shannon declaring that she is anti-social and even though our protagonist would like to believe that about herself the interactions in the book tell us something totally different. In the end, Mace finally finds herself in a functional relationship.
This book is an excellent read. It is hilariously funny from the beginning to the end and is easy to enjoy. The stories of several people are expertly woven into one, with the narrator's own story keeping everything centred. This is a light read that promotes relaxation and almost serves as a therapy of some sort. The story is different enough not to be predictable and the main character's quirkiness, though a bit obnoxious at times, is the main attraction of the book. This a great book for relaxing after a stressful day.