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 King's Sword
The First Novel of the Metzlingen Saga
Rebekah Simmers
2022 Bronze Medal
418 Pages
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Fiction - General
The King’s Sword: The First Novel of the Metzlingen Saga by Rebekah Simmers is a delightful journey back to 15th-century Europe, where small kingdoms and principalities were the way of the European continent. Matthias is a soldier, pure and simple, after having first been sold to the crown and then pledging himself in service to King Girault of Ewigsburg. After one particularly harrowing battle, in which his prince was killed, Matthias is tasked with a mission for his king; to travel to the far Kingdom of Leuceria and to plight the king’s troth to the beautiful princess Avelina. Avelina has lived a life of prestige and honor, as the rightful heir of the Leucerian throne since the death of her father and mother, so many years earlier. The Regent Niro, who has effectively ruled Leuceria since her parents' death at his hands, has no intention of giving up the throne to the young princess. The simplest solution for Niro is to get rid of Avelina, be it through death or a foreign marriage. Matthias finds himself riding into a hotbed of intrigue and political backstabbing as he seeks to fulfill his quest; a quest that includes a dangerous and hazardous journey through the mountains back to Ewigsburg and safety, all the while pursued by Niro’s vengeful and vicious son’s men, hell-bent on killing Matthias, the princess and Matthias’ band of soldierly brothers.
I am an immense fan of medieval historical literature and The King’s Sword fits this bill for me as a reader spectacularly. Author Rebekah Simmers has created a tale redolent of the very best of knightly stories of honor, political intrigue, romance, and love. The author’s vibrant and rich descriptive prose brings the environment of medieval Europe to life. Matthias and Avelina’s journey through the mountains is beautifully crafted and one can picture the towering peaks, waterfalls, and hidden dangers as the pair make their way back to Ewigsburg. The two principal characters are wonderfully supported by a cast that is easily identifiable and relatable. What I particularly loved was the author’s ability to use her characters to ask and question some of the big issues of life; self-determination, purpose, the nature and power of love, the importance of doing what is right rather than what is expedient, and perhaps most importantly, being true to oneself. The balance the author achieves between the action of the story and the development of the characters, their emotions, their dreams, their deep-rooted fears, and their self-doubts is remarkable. At no time does one want to take a break from this story; it keeps dragging you forward relentlessly to its ultimate conclusion. I can highly recommend this book and look forward to more tales of Avelina, Matthias, and Metzlingen as this story is just the first in a planned series.
Recommend this book:
Friendship Matters
Rona D. Drinkard
2022 Silver Medal
394 Pages
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Fiction - General
Friendship Matters by Rona D. Drinkard follows the lives of three friends, all at different places in life and each facing different circumstances. After losing her husband, Euniqé was set on raising her son alone. She meets a man that she is unexpectedly attracted to. Still, she is cautious about the new relationship. Her best friend, Saisha, struggles to hide her unhealthy relationships from Euniqé, a psychologist who always sees through Saisha’s explanations. Their friend Kandace is in a picture-perfect marriage on the surface. Though her husband indulges her, her material possessions do not fulfill her innermost needs. She is unsure that sacrificing her dreams to be a stay-at-home mother is what she wants. Her patience toward her unfaithful husband is wearing thin.
The main characters in Friendship Matters are realistic, and each has a distinctive personality. Saisha is the sassy one of the three, while Euniqé is over-protective of her friends and often offers unsolicited advice. Kandace is a talented singer and is always available for a meet-up. The dialogue between the friends is entertaining and often hilarious. There are also some captivating, dramatic scenes in the novel. In the story, each character grows. They learn to confront the fears that have held them back and allow themselves to move forward. Their separate lives also contain life lessons about being honest with oneself, letting go of the past, and working toward achieving personal dreams. Friendship Matters by Rona D. Drinkard is a funny, profound novel about three friends who share a close bond.
Recommend this book:
Attachments
A Novel
Jeff Arch
2022 Gold Medal
376 Pages
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Fiction - General
In his office at Pocono Prep School, Pennsylvania, Mr. Griffin, the dean, collapses in the most unanticipated series of events. Once whisked to the hospital, Mr. Griffin was declared to have suffered a stroke. Mrs. Levering, being the only one in the dean’s office at the time of the event, was tasked with conveying the old man’s last words to his family before he became unconscious. “Piccolo and Goodman” were Mr. Griffin’s last words. Sandy Piccolo, the son of a mafia boss, was an accomplished and successful lawyer. Sandy, Goodman, and Laura, Sandy’s wife, had all attended the school while Mr. Griffin worked there. Goodman had left Pennsylvania and went incognito; it all had something to do with Sandy and Laura. What exactly did Sandy and Laura do to Goodman? Given their history, why would Mr. Griffin ask to see two of his former students who apparently were on the worst terms? Will Sandy Piccolo find Goodman? Find out more in Jeff Arch's Attachments.
I love being intrigued. I love being entertained. Reading Jeff Arch’s Attachments left me thoroughly pleased and yearning for more. His sentence structures are complex, comprising of long and twisted sentences yet very comprehensible. Jeff Arch gives aggressively intelligible depictions of his ideas. I loved how picturesque the story was. The characters in Attachments are exciting, amazing, and fun. They are portrayed lucidly and in the boldest way. This, coupled with the witty and intellectual conversations some of the characters had, made me feel like I could not get enough of them, especially Sandy, Laura, and Carmine, Sandy’s father. Jeff Arch undoubtedly has a strong command of all aspects of writing. The sarcasm, the irony, the humor, and the casualness with which he uses them in the story is just epic. I found myself laughing most of the time while reading. He also uses a lot of sentiment in his words. I could feel the pain, joy, longing, disappointment, resentment, loathing, love and so many more emotions in the book. The plot is amazing. I loved this book.
Recommend this book:
Don of the Q
An American Don Quixote for the Atomic Age
Michael Guillebeau
2021 Finalist
342 Pages
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Fiction - General
Michael Guillebeau's Don of the Q is an adaptation of Miguel de Cervantes's Don Quixote. The classic Spanish satire is made contemporary, reflecting the world's most important issues for modern-day readers. Don, a twenty-two-year-old American guy, finds himself manning Quick Stop's counter, Q for short, without knowing what happened to him before that moment of "awakening". He first befriends Sancha, another Q staff who is half-Black, half-Mexican, and then a few more people outside of the Q. Together, they plan to take on America, one comical mission at a time.
With a bunch of misfits helping each other and becoming heroes in their own way, Don of the Q is a much-needed book in these times. It's relevant, diverse, feminist, and LGBTQ-friendly. Reimagining Sancho Panza as a female person of color in this adaptation makes all the difference. Don's illusions and shallow personality are now balanced with Sancha's more realistic views and background as a minority. The book is a good combination of inspiring humor and mystery. The chapter headings, like the chapter themselves, are short and catchy. The characters and the story are realistic, relatable, and angsty. The group's adventures are entertaining and beneath all the social commentary the message is compelling. Don of the Q by Michael Guillebeau teaches about kindness and how simple yet significant it can be. A person doesn't need much to be kind; one can start small, whenever and wherever. In this quick and unputdownable read, the American Quixote and his friends touch hearts while being witty.
Recommend this book:
And the Stars Kept Watch
Peter A Friedrichs
2021 Honorable Mention
400 Pages
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Fiction - General
Marriage, loss, and separation are well-defined in Peter A. Friedrichs’ And the Stars Kept Watch. Something precious has been building in the life of an ordinary family, but it all deteriorates after an unexpected tragedy. It becomes the moving personal story of grieving, anger, blame, and denial. Everything seems to be going well for financial adviser Nathan Osgood. His wife Catherine has a thriving practice as a bankruptcy attorney, and they are blessed with two wonderful little sons, Jacob and Joe. The story opens with Nathan taking his boys on a make-believe treasure hunt adventure on an ATV that Catherine gave him as a birthday present. Despite strapping the kids in with elaborate harnesses for their safety, tragedy still strikes when they cross a frozen pond that collapses. Nathan survives but not the children. Jacob's and Joe’s deaths become the trigger that will shatter Nathan’s life, as Catherine blames him for the deaths of their sons and they separate. Nathan tries to cope by attending therapy. But the worst is yet to come as deputies arrest him and he is indicted on two counts of manslaughter.
And the Stars Kept Watch captures the vicious specter of grief, how a happy couple’s marriage starts to decay with the loss of people they love. Peter A. Friedrichs has written a powerful domestic drama, and it is easy to visualize an adaptation of this work exploring the truth about family, death, and relationship. It would be challenging to see if Nathan and Catherine could emerge from this ordeal in the end, if Nathan could find inner peace, and if Catherine could find a different purpose. You will either feel sympathy for Nathan or not, but it is better if you try to see it from both his and Catherine’s perspectives to better weigh the message. And the Stars Kept Watch contains notable anger, but there is also compassion and the prospect of moving on. If you enjoy stories like Ordinary People and Marriage Story, this book is highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
The Sound of Wings
A Novel
Suzanne Simonetti
2021 Bronze Medal
297 Pages
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Fiction - General
The lives of three intergenerational women entwine in the seaside village of Cape May in The Sound of Wings by Suzanne Simonetti. Superficially, these three seem to lack any association, but as the story unfolds, we uncover their relationships. Quirky Goldie has spent her seven decades as a talented potter whose works are in demand by tourists and locals alike. Buried in her past, however, is a marriage, and the one joy remaining from that time is her love for beautiful Monarch butterflies. Writer Jocelyn is in a custody battle with the father of her son, which contributes to a crippling writer's block. Yet, she is buoyed up by her steadfast new husband. She is sustained by reading a journal she discovers belonging to her husband's mother. Stunningly beautiful yet insecure, twenty-something Krystal has qualms about whether her mega-millionaire husband truly loves her for herself, and others wrongly judge her as a stereotypical trophy wife.
The premise of The Sound of Wings is intriguing, and the narrative that ties the three together evolves agreeably. I was genuinely interested in the characters and felt their emotions as the story unfolded. As the background to every character was revealed, and as their interconnection became apparent, the story advanced toward a satisfying conclusion. Suzanne Simonetti effectively captures each woman's voice, and I found myself rooting for them in their growth and self-acceptance. The metaphor of the sound and shimmer of butterflies, both abstract and concrete, is apt in each of their journeys.
Recommend this book:
Dad
Bob Seay
2021 Silver Medal
180 Pages
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Fiction - General
"Jacob Martin’s life is not going well. His marriage is falling apart, his job is on the border of legal and illegal, and he’s living in what could generously be described as a dump. Now Dad, whose memory and mental faculties aren’t exactly what they once were, has decided to drive across the country for a visit. Forced into an unplanned road trip, Jacob finds love, enlightenment, and ultimately himself along the way. "
I left the synopsis portion of this review just as the author wrote it. That could be labeled borderline plagiarism perhaps, but certainly no more so than Jacob’s clients in his school paper writing business. I’m a big fan of commercial/genre fiction. Most of my literary fiction reads were required and read during English Lit classes. Dad by Bob Seay is clearly literary, with just enough commercialism to straddle the borders and make the read popular for lovers of both. Seay’s writing style is comfortable, witty, and fitting for his characters, all of whom are believable, likable, and/or as empathetic as any I’ve met in fiction. Dad and Jacob are especially well defined and carry the main storyline. Not to be marginalized, however, are the supporting characters that fill their roles perfectly, especially Jacob’s brother, sister, and spouses that include Jacob’s estranged wife, Brooke, and, last but not least, the exceptional “Beast.”
In his second novel, Bob Seay has crafted a story about a family that is at once poignant and wryly humorous with unforgettable characters and several memorable concepts concerning family relationships, dealing with a parent suffering dementia/Alzheimer's, love, and the simple things in life that mean so much. I can’t emphasize or praise this novel and Bob Seay’s writing style enough, but I’ll give it a go—it would not surprise me to read Bob Seay’s name on a Nobel Literature prize in the near future.
Recommend this book:
He Gets That from Me
A Novel
Jacqueline Friedland
2021 Gold Medal
304 Pages
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Fiction - General
Surrogacy. It’s a hot topic in our world, opening a multitude of attached debates. The laws vary from state to state. The stigma stains every incident differently. When Maggie finds herself drowning in bills and unfulfilled as the unmarried mother of infant Wyatt, she is introduced to the idea of profiting as a surrogate to Chip and Donovan, a gay couple on the other side of the country. After giving birth to fraternal twins, Maggie and her family will reap the benefits of a sizeable payoff. Maggie can now afford a coveted college degree. She and Nick can get married. Wyatt’s future will be financially secure. Maggie is prepared to hand over the babies. As a result of artificial insemination, they are not her sons. Or are they?
He Gets That From Me by Jacqueline Friedland is a moving story that evokes a multitude of debatable emotions: LBGTQ rights, religious views on adoption, adoption legalities, and plain out human decency. Author Friedland tackles this controversial story with a passion that will resonate with readers for days after the final page is turned. Realistic narration dually told from the viewpoints of Maggie and Donovan adds an additional and necessary caveat to the flow of the plot. I like that this format balances character emotions, although it occasionally requires the reader to confirm the point of view. An impressive amount of author research is evident as Jacqueline Friedland exhibits knowledge of surrogacy laws and fascinating gestational facts. I didn’t know where to place my sympathy while reading He Gets That From Me: the children, the biological parents, or the adopting parents.
Recommend this book:
The Winter Sisters
A Novel
Tim Westover
2020 Finalist
322 Pages
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Fiction - General
It was the spring of 1822 and Doctor Aubrey Waycross was called to Lawrenceville, Georgia. The mayor personally wrote to him about a case of rabies and was afraid that it might spread in his town. Waycross spent most of his money just to get there, only to find out that he had been tricked. There wasn't a case of rabies, at least not yet. Aside from this fraud, he gets more upset when he discovers that the people of Lawrenceville believe more in the Winter Sisters, who allegedly practice witchcraft, than in his scientific methods when it comes to curing their ailments. The Winter Sisters by Tim Westover may have been set in the 1800s but with the themes it tackles, I'd say it's still relevant today.
I liked that the book showed us how healing can come in many forms. And what matters most is that people believe in whichever source it came from. I learned from this book that ignorance and laziness are a deadly combination. While it's true that people are resistant to change, this resistance shouldn't stop them from going forward in life. My favorite character is Waycross because instead of hating the Winter sisters, he made an effort to confront them and to understand their ways. I liked how the author kept Effie's and their mother's characters a mystery, but I wish there was a big revelation about them. Until the end, they both remained mysterious. I also liked that this book is argumentative in nature because it makes you wonder if it's really your responsibility to cure people when you can or choose to lead a simple life away from nosy followers. Trigger warnings include blindly following, death by fire, and a surgery mistake. The Winter Sisters by Tim Westover is highly recommended to fans of literary fiction.
Recommend this book:
The Nine
A Novel
Jeanne McWilliams Blasberg
2020 Finalist
328 Pages
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Fiction - General
The Nine by Jeanne McWilliams Blasberg is a novel about the Webber family and their experiences with an elite boarding school. Hannah and Edward enroll their talented son in the exclusive Dunning Academy despite the exorbitant cost. The difficulty of keeping up with the fees was not to be their most pressing problem. Hannah does not cope well with Sam living away from home. The more she pushes for contact, the more he pulls away and her obsession with him comes at the expense of her marriage. At the academy, Sam is lured into friendships with teenagers from more privileged backgrounds. Their wealth and an unwritten code of conduct, which comes naturally to them, is something that Hannah is unable to compete with. Sam is asked to join a secret society within the school. Revered and steeped in history, it organizes sophisticated pranks. However, rather more sinister goings-on are afoot which Sam unwittingly uncovers.
The Nine is an absorbing novel with a compelling storyline which exposes the frightening way those in positions of power are easily able to sexually exploit vulnerable children. This is more pronounced with boarding schools that can disenfranchise parents and isolate children in their care. There were a number of engaging characters including Hannah who lost her son's teenage years to the live-in aspect of the boarding school system. The emotions she experienced and her subsequent behavior were intimately described and her pain was palpable. Sam was a self-effacing teenager with a satisfying personality and I felt a tremendous amount of empathy with him. Jeanne McWilliams Blasberg seamlessly blends a mix of coming of age school drama with sinister adult conspiracy and intrigue.