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:
Scorn of Secrets
B. Truly
2021 Finalist
545 Pages
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Fiction - Urban
Scorn of Secrets by B. Truly is a mesmerizing coming-of-age story with strong themes and elaborately developed characters. When Madison Guillory’s father dies leaving a huge gambling debt behind, her mother doesn’t wait long to start dating again. After just a few months, she introduces Regan Jenkins to Madison and her sister, Tanya. Madison and Tanya are moved across the state to live with her mother’s “Rico Suave” and his two sons. Madison is not as outgoing as her sister, and she wants to give her new family a chance. Everything seems to be just fine until a dreadful night in which her life is completely shattered. The problem is that she can’t talk about what happened that night. No one will even believe her. But can she live with the secret?
This story is emotionally rich and filled with psychological underpinnings. Madison is a young girl who experiences sexual abuse and she finds herself in a very difficult situation. It is an experience that many young girls will identify with. B. Truly writes relationships brilliantly and I particularly loved the realism written into the encounter and the effect it has on her life; the text messages feel real, depicting the world of teenagers. The treatment she has received is something that will haunt her forever, but the challenge is communicating what happened to someone else. Scorn of Secrets is an immersive story with unforgettable characters and themes that are skillfully written, including love, sexual harassment, family, and friendship. The gorgeous prose is enticing and the conflict is expertly written to keep readers’ eyes on Madison as they want to know what happens next.
Recommend this book:
Black Child to Black Woman
An African-American Woman Coming-of-Age Story
Cheryl Denise Bannerman
2021 Honorable Mention
190 Pages
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Fiction - Urban
With life there are all types of experiences, lessons and challenges that shape us. It is the beginning of life from the womb to our formative years, up to the age of five, that help to create who we will be. If something drastic, brutal, or unfavorable occurs during these times, it can have a negative impact, but all is not lost - you can still overcome. Follow Tara Walker as her diary entries take us through the channels of her life from being a child, through puberty and teenage years to a young adult where each of these phases will have a tremendous influence on who she is and will become. Cheryl Denise Bannerman teaches us about how life can be happy yet have its dysfunctional elements, especially with those around us, from domestic violence, alcoholism, drug addiction and sexual abuse to feelings of isolation and loneliness. But in all things, despite what we face in life, God has another plan.
As I read Black Child to Black Woman: A Journey of Tremendous Proportions by Cheryl Denise Bannerman, I began to think about women like Maya Angelou and Oprah Winfrey. These two women are prime examples of how when our young lives are riddled with unfavorable occurrences, our choices and decisions make the difference. Just as Tara did in Black Child to Black Woman, as she transitioned from wife to mother, she began to see her life through different lenses. If you are looking for a true, gritty story about life in its rawest form, then Black Child to Black Woman: A Journey of Tremendous Proportions by Cheryl Denise Bannerman will fit the bill.
Recommend this book:
Balancers
M.C. Alexander
2021 Bronze Medal
390 Pages
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Fiction - Urban
Balancers is a work of fiction in the urban fantasy, action, and adventure sub-genres, and was penned by author M.C. Alexander. A slick, sharp look at the nature of vengeance, the work is largely suitable for all reading audiences, with only a few moderate instances of non-graphic violence and explicit language. Our central protagonist for this unique adventure is Alessandra Genovese, who sees injustice all around her in the social structure of city life. She and her fellow Balancers seek to right these wrongs with powerful acts of justice, but when a murderer wreaks havoc on their city, the work becomes a race against time to stop innocent bodies piling up.
Author M.C. Alexander has crafted an excellent work of urban fantasy which will certainly tick all the boxes for readers who want thrills and spills from their adventure tales. More than this, though, I was impressed by the conceptual framework of the story, which goes further than your average fantasy novel into exploring the concept of divine justice and the ideas of vengeance that religion teaches us. Alessandra was a well-formed central heroine who had room to grow and developed really nicely throughout the story when she was put to the test. The plot construction was also a real high point, as it was paced almost like cinema to transition into pivotal scenes and never leave the reader bored or going through unnecessary details. Overall, I would recommend Balancers as a unique work for fantasy readers seeking new concepts to immerse themselves in.
Recommend this book:
Cracks Of Light
The Cracks Of Light Series
John Reedburg
2021 Silver Medal
163 Pages
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Fiction - Urban
Cracks Of Light by John Charles Reedburg centers around the life of a young boy named Demetrius. He lives with his mother in a cramped two-bedroom apartment on the third floor of the Park Arms Apartment. Their lives are anything but ordinary, Demetrius’ mother is bipolar. She raises her son with “Geppetto”, but “Geppetto” isn’t Demetrius’ father or her boyfriend. “Geppetto” is her bipolar disorder. Demetrius is wary of her manic moods and prefers to avoid the terrible pain his Momma’s “other half” often inflicts. However, things start to change when Demetrius forms a hidden friendship with a being called “The Light”. He hesitates to tell his mother about this strange happening and soon Demetrius is taken into a different realm called “The Other Side” and finds out some unexpected things.
Cracks of Light is unlike anything I have ever read before. The blend of unique fantasy and traumatic drama captured my interest from the very start. This book has taken me through an unexpected but riveting journey of the characters’ past, present, and future. Nine-year-old Demetrius is a wary, frightened boy, which isn’t surprising considering the trials he has been through in his short life. He is careful and walks on eggshells around his mother, who could be unpredictable and often violent. My heart broke as I read through the abuse Demetrius, Olivia, and Lydia went through. John Charles Reedburg is not afraid to show us the far-reaching consequences of psychological and physical trauma and that bravery has shaped this story into something distinctive and unforgettable.
Mystery is woven skillfully among the words and often I found hidden gems in the pages. An example is this excerpt from chapter 27: “Anytime she fought with Geppetto it was hard to tell who was wrong. I just thought that was how violence and chaos got along. Stillness was the escape I found inside myself.” I was often left speechless by how beautiful and heartrending this story is. The words are often melodic in expression in the heavier aspects of the book and just added to the overall magnetism and beauty of the story. The ending definitely left me curious for more! Overall, this was definitely an eye-opening, brilliant book. Great job!
Recommend this book:
Loose Lips
Mack Guinness
2021 Gold Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Urban
Loose Lips by Mack Guinness is a gripping suspense thriller set in New Orleans. The main character, Cleveland Jones, isn't a cop anymore, but a veteran who minds his own business running a homeless shelter. His life takes a dangerous turn when he is suspected of killing the two sons of a friend, Margaret, and she wants him to find the real killer, as she feels she won't get justice from the police. As one victim leads to another, Jones (also known as Mr. J) realizes he is on the trail of a vicious killer, but he has to clear his name. What follows is a taut murder mystery that will satisfy the biggest crime drama fan.
Loose Lips by Mack Guinness is immediately engrossing, pulling you into the dark side of New Orleans with a few characters you never want to meet in person, but know they're there, lurking in the shadows; and a few characters you wish were around all the time. Guinness is a pro at writing lean and tight, with palpable descriptions and well-paced action. I liked several things about this crime novel. The unique setting and characters, especially Jones and his buddy Chill. Jones is realistic and likable. I liked that it's an everyday guy hunting for the killer, not an active detective. I liked the logical flow of the story. While reading, you feel that the author knows what he's doing, and really enjoys the genre. He builds his world with ease, energy, and grit, making you rush through pages to find out what happens next. He grounds the story in a lot of relevant details about New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina, prison life, running a shelter, etc., without slowing the story. Guinness's style takes you back to hardboiled crime dramas of earlier days, where anything goes, and no punches are pulled. Fans of James Patterson's Alex Cross novels and Tarantino's Pulp Fiction should pick up Loose Lips by Mack Guinness.
Recommend this book:
Good Americans
The Human Tragedy Volume 1
Tejas Desai
2020 Finalist
369 Pages
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Fiction - Urban
Good Americans by Tejas Desai is a collection of short stories, mostly dealing with experiences of people of color in the United States. Right off the bat, this collection won't be for everyone. However, as a whole, the collection works well. Having that core theme of immigration means the stories flow into each other nicely. The ones that stood out were 'The Apprentice' and 'The Mountain'. 'The Apprentice' was wonderfully constructed; our narrator is a very engaging character who you're happy to go along with and the storyline builds up to a satisfying conclusion. It isn't necessarily a happy ending – none of the stories have that – but it is a powerful one. 'The Mountain' is a very bittersweet story but at the heart of it is the friendship between Peter and Nilesh. They both contemplate their futures and how their expectations of it have been altered or thwarted entirely. Watching them contemplate their struggles whilst helping one another was very endearing, and I think would resonate with anyone who has felt anxious about their future.
Yet, as with all short story collections, some stories are weaker than others and Good Americans is no exception. As mention beforehand, Good Americans won't be for everyone. There are stories such as 'Dhan's Debut' which will split opinion (I liked it due to that bizarre plot twist) and the themes and language used throughout will alienate some readers. But the collection does have some solid storytelling and is incredibly thought-provoking. The blurb compares it to the works of Mark Twain and William Faulkner, but a few of the stories reminded me of Ottessa Moshfegh's writing. It is a very provocative, grimy, hard-hitting collection, and one that will certainly divide readers.
Recommend this book:
Day 33
Aisha Graham
2020 Honorable Mention
220 Pages
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Fiction - Urban
Day 33 is a complex psychological murder mystery written by author Aisha Graham. Highly graphic and only suitable for adults, this winding plot follows the interior narrative and exterior life of a young woman named Evita who is going through a hard time in her life. She is clearly traumatized by the death of her mother, Vivian, and even after thirteen years the mystery surrounding her death haunts Evita, both in her waking hours and through terrifying nightmares. As she seeks out therapy with Dr Diana Halal, Evita begins to unlock corners of her mind she didn’t know were even there, and in doing so her journey to self-enlightenment begins, but it won’t be without its costs.
Aisha Graham is clearly a writer concerned very deeply with character rather than the overall plot, so readers who really want to get into the mind of another person are sure to enjoy delving into Evita’s head. Although it’s a reasonably quick read, it’s worth taking the time to slow down and digest Evita’s unfolding feelings to really get the full psychological impact of what she’s going through, and there are times when you might need to put the book down and read something cheerier in between. However, the overall journey that Graham has created is well worth persevering with, because it presents a fascinating work of deep character analysis that will leave you thinking for days afterwards. I’d definitely recommend Day 33 to readers seeking literary psychological fiction that’s unlike anything they’ve read before.
Recommend this book:
Our Bathtub Wasn't in the Kitchen Anymore
Gerade DeMichele (Pen Name of Anthony G. Picciano)
2020 Bronze Medal
240 Pages
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Fiction - Urban
Our Bathtub Wasn't in the Kitchen Anymore is a work of fiction in the historical, coming of age and urban life sub-genres, and was penned by author Gerade DeMichele. Set in the 1950s and 1960s in the United States of America, this heartfelt tale follows its protagonist through the experiences of growing up in an Italian family in the South Bronx. From deeply entrenched Catholicism to street violence, hopeful dreams, and gentrification, the work explores how the young man and his wider community try to survive and stay together. What results is a very emotional and realistic work of fiction with plenty of cultural delights and true heart.
Author Gerade DeMichele has crafted a highly immersive and heartfelt novel that clearly comes from a true place deep in the author’s heart. Readers who have experienced this life and culture are sure to find it an experience of pure nostalgia, but there’s also plenty of trials and tribulations in the plot which keep it fresh and exciting. Despite its historical setting, the work has ties to its future and its place in the world, which makes this a highly accessible read for those who weren’t around at the time but want to learn more about the heritage. One of the features which I enjoyed a great deal about the novel was its flair for dialogue, which really characterizes different figures uniquely, and delivers such a deep understanding of the culture and bonds among people. Overall, I would highly recommend Our Bathtub Wasn’t in the Kitchen Anymore to all historical urban fiction fans.
Recommend this book:
Centaurius the Prophecy
Book One of the Green Galaxy Series
SJ McGarry
2020 Silver Medal
230 Pages
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Fiction - Urban
Centaurius the Prophecy is book one of the Green Galaxy Series by SJ McGarry. A dark, corrupt threat rises and puts the planets Centaurius and Earth in grave danger. This destructive entity is called the Red Brume, a creation that poisoned everything in its path and, according to the archives, it is the most feared of all prophecies. It is capable of devastating everything, an evil force driving the exploitation of natural resources. However, a certain hero stands in its way: the promised Princess Warrior of Centaurius, foreseen by the prophecies; Nella Grizel Reiner. It is clear that Nella cannot fight this powerful foe alone. She travels to Earth with her protector and mentor, Konan, two agents from the Interplanetary Galaxy Operatives (IPGO), and her Fur and Feathered Warriors in a mission to find Nella’s mirrored Earth Warrior - the chosen one foreordained in the Book of Twenty. Bonded together, working as a team, the Centaurius Princess Warrior and the mirrored Earth Warrior will become fearsome and powerful advocates for the survival of both planets and galaxies.
SJ McGarry has created a detailed, science fiction story that uniquely depicts the fragile but delightful essence of Nature, the different life forms it governs, and the influence humans have over them, good or bad. I saw this as a story that portrays the weight of responsibility and stepping up to help save what is important. One of the many things I found interesting about this story’s idea is how nature and technology seamlessly blend together to create a unique and distinctive world that continues to pull me in with every new and remarkable concept introduced. I found the different gifts the characters had to be one of the most intriguing things in the book, like the ability of galaxy living resolution (GLR) which divines the intent of any living being or the gift to communicate with all creatures. I found the book to be thoroughly enjoyable; there was never a dull moment as I thirsted for every chapter that pulled me deeper into its fascinating plot. The story is descriptive and imaginative and I looked forward to learning more about the planet Centaurius and its people. There is so much raw potential in Centaurius the Prophecy that I get goosebumps just thinking of what could possibly happen next.
Recommend this book:
Top Producer
A Novel of Suspense
Laura Wolfe
2020 Gold Medal
303 Pages
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Fiction - Urban
Mara Butler believes her lousy luck has finally changed when she lands a job with Jacqueline Henderson, one of Chicago's top real estate agents. As a newbie in the business and fresh out of a firing and a failed romantic relationship, she believes her new career will not only launch her into the adulthood of her dreams but allow her to help with the bills from her younger sister's battle with cancer. She's excited about this opportunity until she gets a mysterious text from Jacqueline's former assistant, warning her against taking the job. But as so many twenty-somethings starting out in the world, she needs the job and all the perks it offers to set her life straight. Mara disregards the warning and dives fully into Jacqueline's real estate world, only to find out that it's a dirtier business than she ever imagined as Jacqueline takes unethical and ruthless actions to ensure that she will be next year's Top Producer for the Chicago area. Top Producer, by Laura Wolfe, is an excellently written mystery with an ending that you'll never see coming.
I loved Top Producer for so many reasons. It's a solid suspense novel, and I can relate both to Mara's desperation to become successful in young adulthood as well as Jacqueline's desperation to reach the pinnacle of her career. Both are characters very much like people you meet in real life, right down to questionable ethics and even more questionable actions as they both vie to be the "best of the best," albeit for different reasons. Laura Wolfe did an excellent job of creating a world that perfectly reflects ours, and the quiet desperation that we all feel from time to time in our chosen careers. But more than that, this is just a great, intriguing, novel. Definitely my first "top pick of 2020." You've got to read this novel!