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:
Certified
One Unexpected Birth... One Hapless Wedding... One Bizarre Death
Roger Wilson-Crane
2022 Bronze Medal
316 Pages
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Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Certified by Roger Wilson-Crane is a comedy-drama novel containing three inter-connected stories signifying three significant milestones in a man's life. Inspired by real events, the book follows an unnamed narrator who recounts three momentous events from his life. "One Unexpected Birth" follows the narrator as he finally finds the love of his life after a string of dysfunctional relationships, only to face a blast from the past on the day he becomes a father. In "One Hapless Wedding", the narrator and his bride-to-be plan the wedding of their dreams in the beautiful locale of Puglia, Italy, only to witness Justin Timberlake, of all people, hijack their designated venue. In "One Bizarre Death", the narrator mourns the loss of a loved one and tries to navigate the unexpected circumstances following their death.
Infused with themes of love, loss, heartbreak, and hope, Certified is a humorous yet moving anthology that perfectly demonstrates how life has a way of pulling the rug out from under your feet when you're least expecting it. Author Roger Wilson-Crane's quick-witted dialogue and humor make the narrative a breeze to go through. I actually chuckled out loud quite a few times while reading about the hilarious situations the narrator himself found himself in, more often than not through no fault of his own. Apart from the humor, there is a lot of heart and emotional resonance to the stories. The characters are regular everyday people you will find easy to relate to. I had a wonderful time reading Certified. If you're looking for a grounded comedy-drama novel, I highly recommend it.
Recommend this book:
Ruby Roy and The Murder in the Falls
Ruby Roy Mysteries Book 1
Rima Ray
2022 Silver Medal
209 Pages
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Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Ruby Roy and The Murder in the Falls is a work of fiction in the mystery, suspense, and adventure subgenres and serves as the first installment in the Ruby Roy Mysteries series. It is suitable for the general reading audience and was penned by author Rima Ray. The book follows college professor Ruby Roy, an imaginative-if-clumsy woman, who loves a good murder mystery tale. After she finds the dead body of her Chair, she is plunged into a real-life murder mystery as she tries to get to the bottom of who killed him and why, aided ably by her husband, Cleo.
This was a highly engaging and exciting opening installment in what I hope is a long series of mystery novels, with a central web of mystery that grows deeper and more complex as the story unfolds and Ruby pulls at the threads until it perfectly crescendos with one last big twist in the tale. Author Rima Ray wastes no time in establishing her pedigree as a producer of dynamic and clever mysteries, and Ruby is a refreshing vision of a detective to work the case to completion. I loved the balance between the darkness of the crime being investigated and the gentle humor generated by Ruby’s quirky and imaginative approach to investigation. Overall, Ruby Roy and The Murder in the Falls is a breath of fresh air in a genre that often takes itself too seriously, bringing a likable and fun detective to life without compromising on the grit and drama that makes a mystery thriller exciting.
Recommend this book:
Death in Paris
Màiri Maguire Cozy Mysteries
Kate Darroch
2022 Gold Medal
250 Pages
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Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Death in Paris (Màiri Maguire Cozy Mysteries) by Kate Darroch is a superb Paris-based murder mystery with a swift, captivating plot and a powerful ending. It is 1970 and close friends Màiri and Lianna are on a short holiday in Paris before traveling to Istanbul where Màiri has taken up a prestigious position at a high school. Shortly after their arrival, a dishonest taxman is murdered and Lianna is accused of the crime. Convinced of her friend’s innocence and determined to see Lianna released, Màiri sets out to discover who the killer is. With Major Ellis Peverel’s support and her excellent observation skills, Màiri gets closer to the truth. But a group of criminals is after her and a key suspect is concealing important clues regarding the murder.
I loved how well Màiri’s background in Glasgow is developed. I found the characters compelling and the story-telling humorous. Màiri and Lianna make an amusing pair and I found their conversations entertaining. I got to understand Màiri better as the lead character through her voice which is used to narrate the events. The story’s pace is fast and the surprising revelations kept coming as I turned each page. I also found the action scenes gripping and loved that the tension in the story is maintained from the beginning to the final page. Kate Darroch's stunning cozy mystery, Death in Paris, is a must-read for fans of the genre who will love its entertaining, realistic characters and riveting mystery. I loved the story and will be looking out for more of Darroch’s books. Highly recommended!
Recommend this book:
Oh Daddy Chronicles
Barry Robbins
2021 Gold Medal
257 Pages
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Fiction - Humor/Comedy
The Oh Daddy Chronicles by Barry Robbins is described as “a contemporary political satire” that “takes current events and explains what we thought was unexplainable.” The book, however, thrusts much deeper into the heart of satire and, in reality, is a total lampooning of President Donald J. Trump, the Trump family, and those who back and enable them. Perhaps we have in author Barry Robbins a new and more direct version of Douglas C. Kenney, co-founder of the National Lampoon magazine and the National Lampoon Radio Hour, or even the great writers who collaborated to produce the famous and hilarious British movie, The Life of Brian. Regardless of comparisons, Barry Robbins has written a satirical look into a man who will surely be remembered in history as the absolute worst American president... by far (as he himself often claims)!
The Oh Daddy Chronicles has no plot, per se. It isn’t set up in the three-act format used in stories or novels. Instead, it’s a series of episodes that describe visits and conversations by a variety of people in Trump’s circle of family, friends, and subservient employees/government officials. Readers who have “followed” Trump through love or hate (there seems to be no middle ground with him) will recognize many of the scenes and characters as depicted all across television and social media. At the very least, Trump’s inability to talk in complete sentences, misuse of word definitions, and his psychologically impaired mind is proof positive of the verisimilitude that forms the foundation for this satirical look at “Forty-Five.” I thought some episodes a bit over the top, the inanity far beyond imbecilic, until I realized that the scenes were perfectly aligned with the reality of the man and the situations. For me... no fan of Trump, the book was a refreshing laugh a minute read that helped me overcome my overwhelming desire to strangle the man or throw a vase through the television every time he appeared. This is Saturday Night Live, in written form, on steroids!
Recommend this book:
Cooking for Cannibals
Rich Leder
2021 Finalist
371 Pages
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Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Cooking for Cannibals by Rich Leder is a horror-comedy novel that revolves around an introverted scientist, Carrie Kromer, and a freshly paroled expert meat butcher looking to parlay his skills into a new career as a chef. When Carrie steals the recipe for an age-defying serum, the effects are as miraculous as her late conception and she's able to work her experimental magic on the elderly. Meanwhile, Johnny Fairfax is being extorted by his shady parole officer who pitches an offer that's accepted by Carrie but by a group of young-again nursing home patients? Not so much. When the LAPD comes sniffing around their kitchen, the budding romance almost-couple are able to cook up an answer that might save them from prison, but does little to stop a fixer who is out to take back the miracle capsules Carrie absconded with.
I'm not sure how a story that takes place almost entirely in a nursing home could be cool and funny, but somehow Rich Leder makes it so in Cooking for Cannibals. The entire third-person narrative that moves between Carrie and Johnny brings to life two people who are polar opposites, except for their link to a life of crime. Carrie is new to the felonious world that Johnny has spent most of his adult life in, yet they seem to complement each other in a way that feels authentic. This is no small feat given that Carrie's strait-laced and intelligent upbringing is a wild contrast to Johnny, who is covered neck to toe in tattoos. Leder's writing is clean, tight, and entertaining. It is dripping with wit and just enough sarcasm to keep the story moving with a smile without stepping over the line into trying-too-hard territory. Cooking for Cannibals is the book that would be born if the Santa Clarita Diet and A Cure for Wellness had a child, and I have no doubt it will be well-received by all who are fortunate enough to read it.
Recommend this book:
Ring On Deli
Eric Giroux
2021 Honorable Mention
288 Pages
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Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Ring On Deli by Eric Giroux is a humorous tale of two brothers who fight against the odds in a town called Pennacook, Massachusetts. Ray moved to this little town five years ago after his parents passed away in a car accident, and he became the legal guardian of Patrick, his younger brother. Working at the deli counter at Bounty Bag wasn’t the best option, but it made money while Patrick got to finish his education at the local school. However, their peaceful existence was shaken when Patrick started to get into trouble, the Bounty Bag decided to prioritize automation, workers started a protest, and Mrs. Chong’s (the local school principal) plans to expand the school’s building went haywire. During all this chaos, the Markham brothers needed to survive, stay together and make it out unscathed. Could they when the whole town was plunged into disorder?
Humorous, intricate, and exceptional, the narrative reminded me of Jamie Loftus (one of the greatest humor writers of modern time). Author Eric Giroux wonderfully balanced humor and fun times with strong characters and fantastic writing. Ring On Deli is compelling and well-written. The plot revolving around the boys read more like a hit movie to me. Poor Ray was put in a tough position after his parents died. While taking care of a teenager was hard, I could tell he tried to be a cool brother and an authority figure in Patrick’s life. Patrick was the quintessential teenager going through teen blues. His connection with Mr. Grant was the perfect antidote for Patrick’s blues and gave him a direction to work on. Surprisingly, the political undertones of the story were just as entertaining as the story of the Markham brothers. What a fantastic way to start a promising writing career. Very entertaining! I loved it!
Recommend this book:
Catnapped
A Magical Romantic Comedy (with a body count)
R.J. Blain
2021 Bronze Medal
260 Pages
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Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Catnapped is a work of fiction in the urban fantasy, adventure, and romantic drama subgenres, and was penned by author R. J. Blain. The work is intended for the general reading audience and is subtitled ‘A Magical Romantic Comedy (with a body count)’, which sums up the ethos and attitude of the work very well indeed. Our protagonist is the instantly likable Diana, a woman who adores her rescue cat, Mr. Flooferson the Magnificent, and would quite literally go to the ends of the earth for him. So when Diana finds her cat stolen, she makes a deal with demons, angels, and everyone in between in order to rescue him, little knowing that her quest will lead her into a celestial fight the scale of which she could never have imagined.
Author R. J. Blain has crafted an utterly charming work of comedy-drama fiction with plenty of thrills, spills, and laugh-out-loud moments to offer readers. As an avid reader of many of Blain’s works, it is wonderful to see the author hit such a delicate balance of the wacky and the relatable, which is achieved in no small part by her commitment to developing such relatable characters, whom you can believe in despite the bizarre and entertaining events of the plot. The cheeky dialogue and snark within the prose offset the cutesy overtones, making for a wild adventure that readers from teens to any age above can’t fail to enjoy. Overall, I would highly recommend Catnapped to fans of quirky, witty comedies, fantasy adventure novels, and readers of well-penned romantic fiction everywhere.
Recommend this book:
Five Times Lucky
P. David Temple
2021 Silver Medal
304 Pages
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Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Five Times Lucky by P. David Temple is the literary version of a rom-com, with a definite philosophical bent. BunnyLee Welles has just returned to Los Angeles for her best friend’s wedding after four years teaching in Thailand and exploring Asia, looking for enlightenment. She plans to spend only a few weeks back in America before returning to her job in Thailand but is shocked to discover that a minor advertisement she did for dentures some years ago has now been resurrected as an advert for teeth-whitening. It has gone viral in this internet age. She is stunned to see her smile plastered all over billboards, busses, and buildings, on the taxi ride in from the airport. Having planned a quiet return to L.A., she now appears to have achieved what every actor dreams of – fame! When BunnyLee agrees to help a friend and fill in as a replacement mixed-doubles partner at the home of famous actor Buck LeGrande, little does she realize how much her life is going to change. Invited by Buck to stay in his guest cabana whilst she is in the U.S., BunnyLee finds herself living the life of the rich and famous while still trying to keep a low profile and fly under the radar of the paparazzi. A tangled, seemingly disparate cast of characters is inexorably headed for a meeting that may convince BunnyLee that she has been looking for self-fulfillment in all the wrong places.
Five Times Lucky is genuinely funny and conforms well to the literary rom-com niche. Author P. David Temple has done a fine job of pulling together many disparate characters and story arcs that initially seem to have no relationship to each other, building them up to a dramatic climax. I particularly liked that the author imbued his main female lead character with intelligence as well as beauty, leaving the typical dumb blonde, movie-star stereotype (obsessed with appearance, looks, and fame) to the male lead. This was a nice role reversal in character that didn’t go unnoticed. The fact that BunnyLee was wont to spout Kierkegaard, Satre, and other philosophical notions was partly what lifted this story out of the realms of farce and made it readable and relatable. Some of the supporting characters were heavily overdrawn caricatures, which was entirely acceptable in order to create such a large differential between the thoughtful, shy, and withdrawn nature of BunnyLee to the over-the-top antics of Buck and his supporting cast. Scattered amongst the antics, the fun, and the farce were some deep and pertinent insights into relationships, the nature of fame, the shallowness of Hollywood, and life in general, which definitely stopped this tale from descending into a “Keystone Cops” version of a rom-com. This was a fun, light, and easy read that definitely had me chuckling and I can recommend it for a lazy afternoon by the fire or pool.
Recommend this book:
Lobsters, Bisques, and Berries
Modern Mail Order Brides
Olivia Gaines
2021 Gold Medal
238 Pages
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Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Lobsters, Bisques, and Berries is another installment from Olivia Gaines' best-selling romantic comedy collection, Modern Mail Order Brides. Lakota Simjak, a thirty-nine-year-old Native American attorney, feels it's time to settle down and have a family. In his quest for a soulmate, he approaches a matchmaker service based in New York City. After three incompatible matches, Lakota finally finds his Perfect Match in Melody Willis, an international pop star seeking a life away from public scrutiny and fame. Feeling an instant mutual attraction, Lakota and Melody tie the knot and begin a contented life in the wilderness of Maine. However, their journey has just begun as they have yet to meet each other's families from vastly different backgrounds. Will they live happily ever after?
Author Olivia Gaines tells an intoxicating tale of star-crossed lovers filled with romance and humor. Lobsters, Bisques, and Berries follows Melody and Lakota's lives as a married couple from two different worlds. Melody, a pop star from a musical family with an impulsive sister, gives up a life lived in the limelight to share it with Lakota, a humble and reserved man brought up in the ways of the wild in Native American traditions. The juxtaposition between their two environments forms the bedrock of the narrative. Both of their visits to their respective families make for plenty of dramatic moments and provide some genuinely laugh-out-loud scenes. Apart from Lakota and Melody, I also enjoyed the colorful characters of Symphony, Elizah, and Lorelei. If you love to read romantic comedies, don't miss out on Lobsters, Bisques, and Berries.
Recommend this book:
Fun with Dick
John Dolan
2020 Finalist
184 Pages
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Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Fun with Dick by John Dolan is a gripping psychological thriller with a quirky protagonist. From the start, the reader meets the protagonist, twenty-five-year-old Richard Blackheart whose life is dull. But there is more to him than that. First, he hates his name, even though it has a royal ring to it. Second, his friends call him, “Dick,” so his name becomes Dick Blackheart from Hampstead. His father is a marine insurance specialist and his mother “a gin drinker and social butterfly.” He has an older and only sibling who is the beneficiary to the family largesse. He wasn’t bullied in school because his friends tend to be losers like him. But then, something awesome happens when he meets Mr. Henry Browne, an editor for Bright Sparks Publishing. For lack of what to talk about, he shares his idea of How to Die, Alone, Smelly and Unloved. That alone is the one thing that would make him a hero, and the journey to accomplishing that dream begins in this novel. How it ends is for the reader to find out.
This is a wonderful book, but it is disturbing. The protagonist has been seeing a shrink, Dr. Finkelstein, who has had a great impact on his life and who has also inspired his idea of writing the ultimate non-self-help book. The writing works well in the first-person narrative. The voice is strong and absorbing. The way the protagonist talks about himself and about his work and colleagues creates the quirkiness that elevates the writing. This is a hugely entertaining and delightful read that explores self-pity and looks at a character’s struggle to get out of anonymity and obscurity. It’s a page-turner that is well-crafted with engaging dialogues and strong streams of consciousness.