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 Noble Edge
Reclaiming an Ethical World One Choice at a Time
Christopher Gilbert
2022 Gold Medal
254 Pages
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Non-Fiction - General
The Noble Edge: Reclaiming an Ethical World One Choice at a Time, by best-selling author Christopher Gilbert, is the perfect self-help book for bringing ethics and nobility back to human thinking and behavior. Themes of trust, truth, and personal success are also explored, and this is a refreshing change from the my-needs-first approach to being in the world. In the polarized society we live in today, talking about these things may seem a little outdated, but these are the things we need to get back on track. We hear so many versions of what reality and truth are supposed to be, it can be a bit confusing. We look outward for answers and expect them to come from someone or somewhere else when we should be asking what it is we ourselves should be doing to improve things. The author explores the idea of success and what it means, and authentic relationships. Ethical choices aren't always easy, but this book stands as a guide for today's generation of hopefuls.
Gilbert takes readers on a philosophical and practical journey of ethics. What does it mean to be noble? Is it a thing of the past, or something that lies ensconced inside, ready to be mined and brought forth? Can we really become less selfish and more spiritual? The nature of this book is dynamic and easy to read, friendly, personal, and with a definite sense of humor. The anecdotes are encouraging, relatable, and energizing to illustrate the points being made. One example is Grace, who receives $20 more back from a cashier than what is actually owed her. What does she do? How does she process her decision? A strong takeaway from the lessons here is that we can transform ourselves and one another by adopting the habit of making good choices and that ethics can and should play a larger part in our lives and in those choices. Nine principles are discussed and can be used in a professional setting, familial relationships, and friendships/other relationships. No one would argue that businesses, agencies, communities, and families could all benefit from more ethics, but this book actually shows how that can be accomplished. For an accessible guide that will instantly enrich and impact your daily interactions and outlook on your life and the lives of others, the award-winning The Noble Edge: Reclaiming an Ethical World One Choice at a Time, by Christopher Gilbert, is a must-read.
Recommend this book:
Ultimate Step by Step Guide to Machine Learning Using Python
Predictive modelling concepts explained in simple terms for beginners
Daneyal Anis
2021 Finalist
70 Pages
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Non-Fiction - General
Ultimate Step by Step Guide to Machine Learning Using Python: Predictive Modelling Concepts Explained in Simple Terms for Beginners by Daneyal Anis is a great book for beginners who want to learn Python and get into programming. From sharing the basics of the programming language to sharing some very advanced programming skills, the author has done a great job of sharing information and helping the reader increase their knowledge. The author describes how you can make models in Python, how you can code, master analytics and, overall, become a master of Python in 7 days. This is a good book for anyone who wishes to follow a career in Data Science but finds it to be intimidating.
I have personally worked in a software house where the programmers worked using Python and sang praises about how easy it is. I decided to try the language and I understood nothing. I didn’t have clear guidance or anyone who would help me understand the language properly. Ultimate Step by Step Guide to Machine Learning Using Python is the complete opposite. Daneyal Anis starts the guide with the basics, helping you fully understand the language and implement it in real life. While he made the programming language easy to understand, he also encourages readers to implement what they have learned in real life. He encourages readers to experiment, to find their own rhythm with the language, and create their own understanding. I found the choice of words very good and the book to be very educational and informative for beginners.
Recommend this book:
6 Mega Life Transforming Hacks
Maximize Your Life Satisfaction, Experiences, and Results
Mirza Barlas
2021 Honorable Mention
200 Pages
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Non-Fiction - General
In a society where material possessions symbolize success, many people confuse wealth with happiness. Being happy is what many of us strive for, but what does it mean to be truly happy? Has happiness always seemed to elude you? Are you ready to take charge of your life and begin to make conscious, intelligent choices that will serve you? It is time to take command of your life, put yourself back in control, and discover your life's higher purpose. In 6 Mega Life Transforming Hacks by Mirza Barlas, the six life-transforming hacks are backed up with research data, are simple, and will give you complete clarity on what you really want, plus a complete action road map to start seeing results. At the end of every chapter, you will receive some “specks of gold” and more resources to add to your life-hack tool-kit. Discover how to persevere and remain focused when you face obstacles, change negative thinking, learn how to evaluate problems objectively with CBT, increase your mindfulness, set goals, and solve problems intelligently. What if you could finally discover that happiness has always been within your reach?
Mirza Barlas's 6 Mega Life Transforming Hacks is an incredible step by step guide to improving your mindset, attitude, and thought processes. However, if you like to read self-help books and take no action, this book will not suit you. This guide is for anyone who is committed to change and is willing to take the necessary actions to achieve it. With the specks of gold, brilliant life-changing hacks resources section, there is no excuse not to begin to make significant alterations to your life. To gain knowledge and then take no action is simply adding more clutter to your life. However, if you truly want to change the direction of your life, then there simply is no better guide than this one. It is a huge treasure chest of techniques, exercises, and expertise. I thought the use of parables and stories were extremely helpful as they gave a visual aspect to obstacles and problems. I especially loved the quotes from historical figures; my favorite was from F. Scott Fitzgerald: 'Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat.' I thought the 15 thinking errors and how to fix them section was very powerful. The goal-setting section was fantastic as it took a refreshing new look at problem-solving. I loved the section in Chapter 2 about turning your passion into your occupation; that was truly a lightbulb moment for me. The huge section on mindfulness and CBT was amazing, especially regarding the filters we place on reality. Everything in this guide is explained so clearly and will really inspire anyone to take the first step to dramatic change.
Recommend this book:
So-Called Normal
A Memoir of Family, Depression and Resilience
Mark Henick
2021 Bronze Medal
304 Pages
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Non-Fiction - General
So-Called Normal by Mark Henick is a memoir of the author's struggles as he is forced to endure mental health issues as part of his daily life. From childhood Henick is at odds with his family, first his philandering father and then his subsequent step-father, Gary, a man with a short fuse, a wicked temper, and the physical strength to tear Henick and his brother Ray down. The emotional abuse is equally frightening and Gary uses scare tactics, intimidation, homophobia, and manipulation to solidify control. Around the age of twelve Henick's mental health issues began to impact his life both in and outside the home, and he traverses them with mixed levels of support and success. His clinical depression and anxiety intensify and a string of unfortunate events dot his journey. Therapy, psych wards, and suicide attempts culminate into one fateful encounter that changes the trajectory of his life.
So-Called Normal is an engrossing memoir, written with the flourish generally only found in fiction as Mark Henick narrates his story in the first person. I think the standout for me was the way he was able to shift through the story in an organic way, allowing a reader to grow along with him as he matures. His sister Krista having nerves of absolute steel make for moments of levity in a narrative that is frequently sad and intense. His mother's love for her children and her fallibility toward the men in her life, and her own fears and insecurities, develop a woman that is deeply layered and authentic. On the literary front, the story is well written and tight. There is a moment when a now older and married Henick is able to close the door on a tumultuous childhood in a heartbreaking scene of farewells. Overall, this is a beautiful book, and where I would normally say that the memoir will be treasured by the author's descendants, in the case of Mark Henick I can confidently say this will also likely be treasured by the strangers who read it. Highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Skyrocket Your Career
The No Bullsh*t Approach to Find Your Dream Job, Be Successful in It, and Transform into a Rockstar
Raj Subrameyer
2021 Silver Medal
122 Pages
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Non-Fiction - General
Skyrocket Your Career: The No Bullsh*t Approach to Find Your Dream Job, Be Successful in It, and Transform into a Rockstar by Raj Subrameyer is a non-fiction self-help business guide for those on the hunt for employment. The book begins with two introductions, one as a foreword and the other by Subrameyer himself as he outlines the aspirations of his family and what he wanted to do, and how he has achieved the level of success he enjoys now. The book then breaks down into six chapters covering the distinct strategies that fall into the categories of figuring out what you really want to do, the interview and salary negotiation stages, finding success in a job you love, becoming a rockstar in your role, and reaching your full potential through unleashing the power that will inevitably lead to growth.
Skyrocket Your Career covers a whole lot of material that hardly seems possible given its compact size, but Raj Subrameyer is able to deliver the goods with a witty narrative and some genuinely insightful ideas. As a whole the book did feel as if it skewed a bit more toward those in the technology sector, but the application can be easily and quickly tweaked to bend towards virtually any industry so long as you actually know your way around the field. Subrameyer reminds me of an old boss who encouraged me to apply for a promotion for which I was woefully unqualified: “It's not whether you can do the job, it's whether you can get the job.” This of course flies right in the face of Subrameyer's rockstar strategy of underselling to overperform in chapter four, which is where I connected most to the book's message. Overall, this is an excellent book with a lot to offer, and Subrameyer seems like just the kind of pro who can get you there.
Recommend this book:
Exit the Maze
One Addiction, One Cause, One Cure
Dr. Donna Marks
2021 Gold Medal
210 Pages
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Non-Fiction - General
Exit the Maze by Dr. Donna Marks is a non-fiction self-help book for those battling addiction, the ones who love them enough to help them overcome it, and the professionals brave enough to change their current method to one that actually works. Dr. Marks introduces a three-part sequence with four chapters per step. These fall under One Addiction, One Cause, and finally, One Cure. Within these parts, Dr. Marks delves into taking responsibility, the fallacy of current diagnostic techniques, how an addict becomes an addict, and the power of love in the exiting of an addiction maze, among others. Through experience, Dr. Marks is able to convey the wisdom behind the method and a long-term, sustainable road map to success.
There's a lot to be said about a medical professional with a degree in psychology, a doctorate in education, and perhaps the longest list of certifications I've ever seen, who is able to focus on the stigma of addiction and actually be proactive in doing something about it. I found the section on behavioral modifications and how on their own they don't work to be of particular interest in Exit the Maze, particularly having someone dear to me repeatedly fail at cognitive behavioral therapy. Another is the basic but somehow forgotten principle outlined by Dr. Donna Marks that utilizes not just the power of love, but the power of acceptance and the power of pain as the pivotal points in recovery and rehabilitation. “...at some point, your pain will become so great, it will crack open the shell that has kept you separated from the love inside you.” With the United States in a mass scale opioid crisis and little by way of mental health support to the population's most vulnerable, Exit the Maze should be required reading for those who are genuinely interested in rehabilitating those in need.
Recommend this book:
The Letters
How A Mixed Race Child Learned About His French Mother And Heritage
Daniel Freeman, EdD
2020 Finalist
480 Pages
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Non-Fiction - General
The Letters: How a Mixed Race Child Learned About His French Mother and Heritage by Daniel Freeman, EdD is the story of the author as he finds out why he always felt like the odd man out in his family. His father was an African-American man who fought for his country and when he died, a box of secrets was opened. When he passed away, Daniel went to his childhood home where he found two trunkfuls of secrets that his father had kept from his family. He found pictures and letters in French and as each letter was translated, he learned so many secrets that his father kept from Daniel. He found out who his real mother was, where she came from, and how he had a whole family he never knew about. What will Daniel do with this information? Will he reach out to the woman that gave birth to him?
I cannot even imagine what Daniel went through. I don’t know how he got the heart to move from one picture to another and read one letter after the other. He experienced something heart-shattering and he had to deal with the information just after he lost his father who he loved a lot. He pushed through it all, he welcomed the information and used that to ground himself. Daniel’s journey reads like a letter to a dear friend and that friend is you. The narrative reads like a dialogue between the author and, as the reader, you will experience his emotions and his journey first hand. The pictures he shared offered a fascinating look at an era long gone, but still exists in the images. He also shares the actual letter translations, which drew a much clearer picture of what his father was going through in that phase of his life. I really enjoyed this book. It was fun, surprisingly quick to read, and enjoyable to boot! The narrative is smooth and the author has done a great job of sharing his story while respecting his father, his birth mother, and the woman he grew up calling his mother.
Recommend this book:
You're Pulling My Leg!
The Ultimate Storytelling Game
Allen Wolf
2020 Honorable Mention
176 Pages
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Non-Fiction - General
You're Pulling My Leg! The Ultimate Storytelling Game by Allen Wolf is an amazing book that can be played by using the cards given. There are over 600 questions in these cards and instructions are given on how the game should be played. It can be played by people of all age groups, preferably from 13 and above. It gives a lot of entertainment and laughs to those playing it and will be a sure hit at parties, family gatherings, and when it comes to getting to know friends. It is funny and lighthearted and will encourage the players to become creative when it comes to their answers. So how much do you really know about yourself? And do you think you know your friends well enough? Let us play the games and see for ourselves how many points can be scored.
These games are a good way to know oneself and the other person to whom the questions in the cards are addressed. You're Pulling My Leg! by Allen Wolf is innovative and refreshingly different and will keep the entertainment level high wherever it is used to play. It can be played anywhere and there are instructions on what is required, how to start the game, how to play the game, how the winner is chosen, and the game variations, which makes it easy for readers to learn the rules of the game. The book will definitely bring a smile to the faces of all readers/players and it is a must-have in everybody's personal collection.
Recommend this book:
Racism, Hypocrisy, and Bad Faith
A Moral Challenge to the America I Love
Julius Bailey
2020 Bronze Medal
216 Pages
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Non-Fiction - General
Academic works by Julius Bailey, Ph.D., are notable for their flawless integrity, impeccable thinking, accessibility for the non-academic, and an irrefutable blending of stark objectivity with engaged passion, flavored always by an overriding sense of humanity and compassion. Racism, Hypocrisy, and Bad Faith, the most recent offering from this esteemed educator, continues an impressive record of communicating facts and practical considerations with perhaps more urgency, passion, and compassion than ever. The reader cannot remain uninvolved, even if only mentally. Bailey’s striking observation about Dr. Martin Luther King applies very well to this book in whole: “… his message was clear: each person listening to his words could create a tiny version of his nation simply by putting the stated principle into action. Combined, these individual changes could create societal change, but it had to start with the individual.”
The title of Julius Bailey, Ph.D.’s book, Racism, Hypocrisy, and Bad Faith, defines clearly the explosive subjects handled here: The ubiquitous legacy of American racism, the institutionalized hypocrisy affecting every aspect of American life today, and the entrenchment of bad-faith actors within those institutions, primarily political, that have brought us to this horrific watershed moment. Somehow, Mr. Bailey offers genuine hope, but he pulls no punches in his academic explications and historical perspectives. He calls out those bad-faith actors, often specifically by name and office and political party affiliation. His most striking accomplishment comes in the midst of extreme polarization, as his work itself seems perfectly balanced, due certainly to the author’s rigorous academic integrity and personal compassion.
Recommend this book:
Breathe
Breath, Resilience, Embrace, Accountability, Truths of Life, Happiness, Enjoy
Leonidas Hadjimitsis
2020 Silver Medal
Kindle Edition
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Non-Fiction - General
Breathe: Breath, Resilience, Embrace, Accountability, Truths of life, Happiness, Enjoy by Leonidas Hadjimitsis is a guide whose purpose is to make a difference in our lives. Leonidas expresses his beliefs and views clearly and holistically. Crucially, it includes all the skills and competencies you need to be whole, healthy, and remain so. It deals with varied topics such as resilience, which is essential in our world in crisis, breathing, happiness and so much more. I appreciated that each chapter can be read individually, or as a single page as a stand-alone, even though the author recommends reading the entire book in the order he intended. I enjoyed being able to pick and choose a topic that I needed to focus on at a specific time. I also enjoyed reading it as a whole and now consult it to remind myself of important lessons when I feel the need to do so.
Breathe by Leonidas Hadjimitsis is a gem of a book. I loved everything about this comprehensive guide, from the dedications and notes to the author’s children and readers which are deeply personal and moving, as well as the chapters themselves. I also enjoyed the various quotations, which drove each point home and made them even easier to grasp and remember. The exercises, clear explanations, and experience sharing are combined in the best of ways, making this a charming read. My favorite chapters are The importance of purpose, In search of a witness, and Feeding the breathing process. Thank you for sharing such wisdom with us! This is a book I recommend with all my heart.