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:
Walking in Grace with Grief
Meditations for Healing After Loss
Della Temple
2016 Gold Medal
126 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Grief/Hardship
Della Temple has given the world a treasure with her book, Walking in Grace with Grief: Meditations for Healing after Loss. Della shares her journey of grief, when her 29-year-old son tragically dies in a car accident. Prior to his death, she had already explored the metaphysical realms and believed physical death is a transition to the spirit world. She also practiced mindfulness and was familiar with meditation. Using these beliefs and healing tools, she developed a new way of grieving, called conscious grieving. She did not avoid her feelings of sorrow; rather, she learned how to process her grief by becoming aware of and feeling her emotions consciously. Dealing with the practicalities of returning to her routines became manageable by remembering to live in the present moment.
This book contains a powerful story and practical tools for healing after the death of a loved one. The healing meditations are wonderful, as each one addresses a particular need for a grieving person. Matching meditations with each step of her journey demonstrates the most effective time to use them. I especially enjoyed Blowing Up a Rose; sometimes, the only way to release a strong emotion is to blow it up! Her instructions for each are easy to understand, whether or not you have ever practiced mediation. In Walking in Grace with Grief: Meditations for Healing after Loss, Della Temple reveals her intuitive compassion and wisdom by sharing her own story of loss and how she found her healing path. Della explains how she became stronger, gentler and more compassionate, giving hope to those who are grieving.
Recommend this book:
The Cancer Olympics
Robin McGee
2015 Finalist
368 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Grief/Hardship
Robin McGee’s The Cancer Olympics is a memoir of her battle against not only cancer but inadequate healthcare that she unfortunately received. The negligence of her delayed diagnosis – no thanks to Doctors One, Two, Three and Four – cause a late stage tumor that could have been prevented and treated earlier. The medical providers had, unbelievably, failed her. From my perspective, they were unprofessional, arrogant and shockingly naive. She reaches out to her community through her blog “Robin's Cancer Olympics” where she shares her story and gains allies to overcome bungling medical politics. Robin actively seeks medical help for two years before she is correctly diagnosed.
The important message of The Cancer Olympics is that every patient needs to be proactive in their own treatment and find doctors who are truly ethical in their practice. This should be priority number one. We have the right to demand the best healthcare possible, and we should not be intimidated by medical providers who use their position in the healthcare system like some kind of an untouchable law.
Robin’s ordeal and success in battling cancer, as well as the flaws of the medical system, is truly an eye-opener. This is also a beautiful story about her family’s dedication, husband Andrew and son Austin. Through her flawless prose and deft narration, readers will find her memoir exceptional and well-written. As harsh as her struggle was, this is not a depressing memoir, but one that gives hope and advocates a patient’s rights and well-being. This is a must-read for everyone.
Recommend this book:
Nothing Left to Burn
A Story of Alzheimer's
Dr. Karen Hutchins Pirnot
2015 Honorable Mention
338 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Grief/Hardship
Nothing Left To Burn: A Story of Alzheimer’s by Dr. Karen Pirnot is the story of a loved one slowly fading away. Charlie was a brilliant man; he had practiced counseling psychology and taught doctoral students at the University in Iowa. After moving to Florida, he began teaching there. He enjoyed teaching and cared about his students. He knew his lectures and relished giving them. Then the disease that was slowly changing him progressed to the point that there was no longer any way to deny the effects. Karen is a clinical psychologist and recognized the symptoms early. She found herself watching him and becoming his caretaker. Charlie and Karen clearly love each other but their relationship has changed out of necessity. Charlie resigned from his teaching position, and reluctantly and bitterly he gave up his driver’s license. Karen shows amazing patience in her dealings with Charlie. Whether that comes from her experience as a psychologist or from her personality I’m not sure, but the love shines through as she always seems to know just the right things to say and the right way to react to Charlie.
Nothing Left To Burn is a poignant story. Dr. Karen Pirnot has written many books and I’ve loved them all, but I believe this is her greatest one. She began this book as a way to work through the stress of dealing with her husband’s Alzheimer’s, but it has become a way of inspiring others and informing them of how to deal with the dreaded disease. She states early in the book that no one can tell a caregiver the correct way to deal with the loved one, but I think that by sharing her and Charlie’s story she is demonstrating the correct method. There is so much in this book that I would like to touch on, but this is merely a review. The author’s style is conversational. I felt as if she and I were good friends having a cup of tea as she shared Charlie’s latest antic. The reader will find some humor in Nothing Left To Burn; they will also find sadness and, at times, triumph. I wish Dr. Pirnot blessings and the strength to continue with her care-giving and I hope she will continue writing.
Recommend this book:
Frock Off
Living Undisguised
Jo Dibblee
2015 Bronze Medal
320 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Grief/Hardship
The saying goes that clothing maketh the man, but all too often, clothing serves as armor and disguise, hiding the pain and heartbreak of derailed human lives. Jo Dibblee knows all about hiding. As Frock Off: Living Undisguised chronicles, some of her earliest lessons in life revolved around hiding her dysfunctional family's doings from the outside world and protecting her flawed and damaged parents from the interference of social workers. At times, an 'earth angel' offers a respite from the tension. At times, hurtful family secrets are uncovered. With grim determination and an occasional lucky break, she is able to turn her life around.
Frock off: Living Undisguised is ultimately a well-written and uplifting tale of survival - both physical and emotional - against great adversity and against all odds. The book graphically illustrates exactly what potential dangers are faced by youth at risk, (especially when parents are incapable of providing adequate support) as well as the potential for damage that is realized when society turns a blind eye. I liked the honesty and introspection with which the author tackles her own past. I enjoyed her voice and her fighting spirit - people who have faced a struggle or two in their lives make worthier role models than overachievers born with the proverbial silver spoon in their mouths. I think this book can serve as great inspiration for anyone who strives to turn a damaged life around. It could also provide greater insight into the dynamics of dysfunctional families. Jo Dibblee should be praised for sharing her past with such courage and integrity.
Recommend this book:
Getting Through What You Can't Get Over
Stories, Tips, and Inspiration to Help You Move Past Your Pain Into Lasting Freedom
Anita Agers-Brooks
2015 Bronze Medal
240 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Grief/Hardship
Getting Through What You Can't Get Over: Stories, Tips, and Inspiration to Help You Move Past Your Pain into Lasting Freedom by Anita Agers-Brooks is an inspirational read about getting past traumatic life issues. The book tells the true stories of real people’s overwhelming hardships – whether abuse, serious illness, financial troubles, death of a loved one, etc. – and shows how each person overcame and moved past the situation (instead of letting it consume them). In the introduction, the author states: “None of us wants to learn from painful experiences, but life doesn’t always offer us a choice. We are challenged early and often with plenty of adversity…so how in the world do we survive when life won’t leave us in peace?” At the end of each chapter (which tells a different person’s story), the author includes some helpful sections, including Insider Insights, Practical Help, Spiritual Comfort and a Guided Prayer to allow readers to apply the information to their own personal healing and lives.
I found this book to be a very insightful and inspirational read. The author explains (in a clear and easy-to-follow format) how to get through a traumatic experience and rise above it to live a positive, happy life (no matter what the past). She gently reminds readers that God does not abandon people when life gets tough; He is there right beside us, helping us to get through it. I liked how she presented a wide variety of challenges, such as death, illness, financial problems, and abuse to show that different difficulties affect people in different ways, but there is a way to overcome all of it. I think this book would be very beneficial to anyone going through a difficult time.
Recommend this book:
How to Survive the Worst That Can Happen
A Parent's Step by Step Guide to Healing After the Loss of a Child
Sandy Peckinpah
2015 Silver Medal
168 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Grief/Hardship
Sandy Peckinpah has been through any parent's worst nightmare. Losing her son at the tender age of sixteen to an unexpected illness, within a day's time was not what she had ever thought about. The sadness and overwhelming grief that she had to deal with makes her what she is today. Life's true lessons are an outcome of tragedy. By sharing her life and helping a grieving parent to cope with life after the passing away of their child is what Sandy sets out to do with this book.
How to Survive the Worst That Can Happen: A Parent's Step by Step Guide to Healing After the Loss of a Child by Sandy Peckinpah is a "must read" book for those of us who are struggling to cope with the most heartrendingly painful tragedy. Through her step by step approach, she guides you on maintaining a journal that will act as your best tool to survive and go on. Her compassionate approach helps one feel that things will someday get better. Her words of wisdom encourage you to believe that love and healing wait around the toughest corner. Just pick yourself up and rally all the help that you can to mend your way back to life. The loss of a child is unfathomable and one always wonders if it will ever make any sense. Sandy gives you the much needed hope and reassurance to fight your fears. She gently tells you to accept the loss and celebrate the life of your child. Remember the joy that your child brought into your life. Preserve the essence of your child's presence in your life forever.
Recommend this book:
The Best is Yet to Come
Tara R. Alemany
2014 Honorable Mention
170 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Grief/Hardship
In Memoriam: 27, Poet Alfred Lord Tennyson wrote, “It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.” This is a semi-appropriate statement describing The Best Is Yet To Come by Tara R. Alemany. I used the word semi-appropriate because the author would agree and yet would add that the love she shared with Frank is not lost. She will be reunited with him in eternity. Tara was a single parent for twelve years. She never expected to fall in love again. Then Frank came into her life, all because of an email. Their relationship was one of strong love, yet unfortunately he passed away after only four months. In The Best Is Yet To Come, Tara R. Alemany shares their love and her grief. It is obvious they had a very special relationship because Tara was the woman created for Frank. The author shares the relationship Frank developed with her children. After the loss of Frank, Tara extended love to Frank’s father.
The Best is Yet To Come by Tara R. Alemany is an inspiring true story; a moving story of their love that will bring both tears of joy and tears of sorrow. This book is filled with poetry, Tara’s inner thoughts and meditation. The Best is Yet To come has short chapters allowing the reader to meditate on the author's experiences and wisdom. This format turns each chapter into a lesson. While this book is about death, it can also be applied to many other areas of life. Beautifully written, this book will inspire the reader to search their soul.
Recommend this book:
What if Tomorrow Never Comes?
Neil David Schwartz
2014 Bronze Medal
226 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Grief/Hardship
What if Tomorrow Never Comes? by Neil David Schwartz is a highly emotional book which tells the story of how your life can change when faced with not one, but two painful losses. This is the story of Neil Schwartz and his passage from unbelievable tragedy to acceptance and recovery. When his wife suddenly passes away, Neil is faced with having to care for his young dying daughter while dealing with the loss of the woman he loved. This book talks openly about the battle with cancer, the journey of a grieving father, and the stories of the people who have influenced his recovery.
Neil Schwartz, with the help of his sincere and emotional writing style, makes What if Tomorrow Never Comes? a powerful read for anyone, and even if you end up reading the book with tears in your eyes you would have learned a valuable lesson about life and the things that we should really cherish and hold dear. The death of his wife, Joanne, and the cruel illness of his young daughter, Amy, cast a light of despair and sorrow on Neil’s personality and contributed to his development as a person. It’s painful to see how sometimes these types of events awaken us, how sometimes our broken heart serves as a key to understanding how life works and what really matters. I imagine it is unspeakably hard to lose your wife and child and most people find it extremely hard, if not impossible, to recover from such a loss.
I recommend What if Tomorrow Never Comes? to everyone who has ever lost a loved one, to everyone who lives with the fear that life might suddenly change forever and, most of all, to everyone with the ability to understand such a story and put themselves in the author’s shoes, if only for a second. Don’t see it just as a true story well written; see it as an opportunity to look into someone else’s soul and to start searching yours for the true values in your life.
Recommend this book:
How to Survive the Worst That Can Happen
A Parent's Step by Step Guide to Healing After the Loss of a Child
Sandy Peckinpah
2014 Silver Medal
168 Pages
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Grief/Hardship
Sandy Peckinpah has been through any parent's worst nightmare. Losing her son at the tender age of sixteen to an unexpected illness, within a day's time was not what she had ever thought about. The sadness and overwhelming grief that she had to deal with makes her what she is today. Life's true lessons are an outcome of tragedy. By sharing her life and helping a grieving parent to cope with life after the passing away of their child is what Sandy sets out to do with this book.
How to Survive the Worst That Can Happen: A Parent's Step by Step Guide to Healing After the Loss of a Child by Sandy Peckinpah is a "must read" book for those of us who are struggling to cope with the most heartrendingly painful tragedy. Through her step by step approach, she guides you on maintaining a journal that will act as your best tool to survive and go on. Her compassionate approach helps one feel that things will someday get better. Her words of wisdom encourage you to believe that love and healing wait around the toughest corner. Just pick yourself up and rally all the help that you can to mend your way back to life. The loss of a child is unfathomable and one always wonders if it will ever make any sense. Sandy gives you the much needed hope and reassurance to fight your fears. She gently tells you to accept the loss and celebrate the life of your child. Remember the joy that your child brought into your life. Preserve the essence of your child's presence in your life forever.
Recommend this book:
No Tears For my Father
A True Story of Incest
Viga Boland
2014 Gold Medal
225 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Grief/Hardship
No Tears For My Father is a non-fiction book and, that being said, there are some readers unable to handle the subject matter of the book. Viga Boland recounts her life with an abusive father, not only physically but sexually as well. She does not sugar coat the truth, but she does not get graphic just to sell books either. She walks a very fine line between the truth and reality, and she does so very well. This book follows her from her earliest memories until she writes this book, with most of the coverage being during the time she lived with her parents and underwent the abuse.
No Tears For My Father is a wonderful book for the healing of those who have experienced abuse at the hands of a parent. By writing this book, Viga Boland has set the record straight on her own history and freed herself from her father's grasp. By reading her words, other survivors can heal and realize that they are not alone; that others have gone through the same things and survived. It is even good for those going through it currently, in that it gives them the hope to get out. For those readers who have never experienced such abuse, reading this book can help to give them insight into what goes on and how difficult it is for someone to get out. This is a courageous book and one that, as a reader, I am thankful the author took the time to write.