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 Thundering
Megan Davidson
2016 Finalist
292 Pages
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Fiction - General
In an absolutely wonderful new work by author Megan Davidson, The Thundering, readers will find themselves following the stories of psychologist Cathy Morgen and her teenaged patient, Joseph. Taking place in Portland, Oregon in 1961, the story gives us some very realistic and heartbreaking insights into the atmosphere of mental health facilities of the era. When Cathy first meets Joseph, after receiving a distressed call from the director of the Summerhaven Mental Hospital asking for her help, she finds an absolutely shattered young man. Bucking, neighing and kicking, just like a mustang in the midst of a panic, Joseph's actions appear more horse than human. Using all of her skills, she makes it her mission to find out what has happened in Joseph's life to make him the way he is. At the same time, this journey is one of redemption for her as she tries to recover from the loss of another young patient.
I loved this book. Loved. It. I don't know what I else I could say to adequately describe how fantastic author Megan Davidson's new work is. Her character development skills are second to none. She has written characters, especially Joseph and Cathy, that the reader will truly come to care about and will think about long after the book is finished. If that isn't the hallmark of a great author, I am not sure what is. This book is absolutely un-put-down-able. I read it from start to finish in one sitting. I simply had to know what happened next. The Thundering would appeal to any reader who loves a generally great work of fiction, but especially those who love a book that will have their heart pounding. I highly recommend The Thundering and am very much looking forward to reading whatever author Megan Davidson has in store for her readers next!
Recommend this book:
Twisted
Lola Smirnova
2016 Bronze Medal
316 Pages
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Fiction - General
Twisted, by Lola Smirnova, is a nightmare journey into the life of Julia, a young woman from Ukraine who, struggling for a future, follows her sister's path into the sex trade. In the post-Soviet break-up world, there is little to offer in the way of traditional jobs. Skilled doctors in the state hospitals earn a couple hundred a month, but a woman working in a cabaret, strip club, or as a call girl in one of the nearby countries can earn several thousand. All she needs to succeed is what she was born with and the ability to skillfully size up a client’s needs and perform to his expectations, while trying to stay out of prison. Yet, Julia quickly learns the money comes with a price in violence, degradation, and addiction.
Smirnova takes us on a philosophical and pseudo-psychological pilgrimage through the sexual underworld as Julia, in first person narrative, describes her struggling introduction into a profession where she can ply the only skills currently marketable. Twisted follows Julia’s self-destructive voyage and is often graphic, but not gratuitously so. The sex and violence aren’t there to titillate – they show a world most of us will never see, nor would we want to first-hand. Smirnova doesn’t hold back in her depiction of that underbelly world and the people that populate it, providing a solid backdrop in which Julia acts and reacts. The characters are real, dialog intoxicating, and the plot well crafted. Whether Julia is soaring or plummeting, you are along for the ride because Twisted pulls you in, whether you’re a willing participant or not. Well done!
Recommend this book:
How to Grow an Addict
A Novel
J.A. Wright
2016 Silver Medal
300 Pages
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Fiction - General
How to Grow an Addict is an emotional, eye opening novel by J.A. Wright about 23-year-old Randall Grange. An intriguing glimpse into the heart of addiction, How to Grow an Addict reveals its premise in the title, beginning with a memoir-like feel when Randall is about six and chronicling her road to addiction. It begins in small steps; an alcoholic and abusive father, a distant mother with her collection of pills, and an idolized older brother whose image is soon tarnished by a nasty personality. Lonely and awkward, Randall strives for acceptance and love, which often leads her to the wrong place and bad decisions. Getting through life on a steady diet of pills and booze, she is nonetheless surprised to find herself in a rehab center after one particularly bad night. Encouraged to reveal three secrets about herself as part of her treatment, How to Grow an Addict makes for an unflinching narrative about one young woman's coming of age and journey to finding and accepting her true self.
Though a dark read, in How to Grow an Addict J.A. Wright is masterful in keeping alive some small bloom of hope for Randall as she navigates a treacherous path. It makes for an incredibly powerful portrayal of the dynamics of a dysfunctional family and how none of the members is immune from the toxicity. I really enjoyed the frankness that Wright wrote with; there were no maudlin moments and she didn't hesitate to shine a light on the more heartbreaking aspects of Randall's life. I especially loved the glimpse of hope we see at the end. An emotional read that really draws the reader in.
Recommend this book:
The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee
Talya Tate Boerner
2016 Gold Medal
332 Pages
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Fiction - General
“Daddy was in a bad mood…He was predictable. Just like my life so far.”
But Gracie’s life was far from predictable. Growing up in the cotton fields of Arkansas, Gracie saw her life as one of heinous misfortune. The victim of the meanest girl at Savage Crossing Elementary School and the daughter of a controlling, mean, alcoholic father, Gracie did her best to keep quiet when life’s injustices fell into her lap. But there were times when it was all just too much. It was during those times when Gracie’s adventurous spirit led her to explore the mysteries of the abandoned grey house down the road or to eavesdrop on her mother’s party-line phone calls. This was how she discovered the seriousness of her father’s medical problems and fueled her Nancy Drew tendencies. Her only outlet was the invitational time at church when she held her weekly “talk” with Brother Brown.
The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee is one of the best books I have read in a long, long while. Integrating themes of substance abuse, lessons in morality, and timeless fears of coming of age, author Talya Tate Boerner has excelled in the brilliance of bringing characters to life in her debut novel. The storytelling rarity of multiple story lines is effortlessly successful in this vividly told tale. Boerner utilizes all of the senses to weave a story filled with human emotion so palpable that the reader is forced to step away from the pages in order to digest the full impact of her words. I enthusiastically applaud this story and the future of this author.
Recommend this book:
Illusion of an Ending
Danielle Soucy Mills
2015 Finalist
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - General
Illusion Of An Ending by award winning author Danielle Soucy Mills gives us a glimpse of life after death, not as we always have imagined it. Jimmy, a young man with a promising life ahead of him, dies in a motorcycle accident. As his family grieves, his soul tries to find a way to communicate with them, especially his mother, Patricia. Meanwhile, Llorena, a teenage girl who has the ability to communicate with spirits, is suddenly uprooted from her family home. Her mother tells her that they are moving back to her hometown because she has to take care of her mother. Llorena is shocked because she was not aware that her grandmother, who shares her gift, is still around. What follows is a story that deals with spirituality, metaphysics and love.
Danielle Soucy Mills’ novel Illusion Of An Ending is a gripping story about a young man who is gone too soon, a grieving mother, and a young girl with extraordinary abilities; three people who suddenly find themselves connected to each another. Life after death is a mystery that is intriguing for all of us because we all have friends and relatives who are already dead and, inevitably, all of us will die. So this is a theme that will attract the attention of readers and the book certainly does not disappoint. Written from various characters' perspectives, it is like getting into the skin of the main protagonists. I think one of the biggest achievements of this book is that it gives us a picture of life after death that makes dying easier to accept. Highly recommended!
Recommend this book:
Blue Sun, Yellow Sky
Jamie Hoang
2015 Honorable Mention
267 Pages
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Fiction - General
Blue Sun, Yellow Sky by Jamie Jo Hoang is a heart rending novel about artist Audrey Johnson who has been diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa and will soon be blind. She decides to go on a trip around the world with her old friend Jeff. Being a painter, this trip is very important to her and she tries to recreate the images of each place many times in front of her eyes. As her sight slowly deteriorates with each passing day, she realizes that she has not lost everything. This magnificent journey with the author not only takes readers to different countries, but also tells readers more about Retinitis Pigmentosa and its effect.
The author's story is human and it takes readers through myriad emotions, ranging from self pity to acceptance and finally to adjusting and adapting to reality. The author's positive attitude towards life is uplifting and the book also teaches readers about Retinitis Pigmentosa. A romantic angle between the two friends also run subtly through the plot. The book has many dimensions to it and that makes it a compelling read. The author's journey to many lands and her journey into blindness capture life and loss nicely.
The journey to different countries makes Audrey strong and enables her to handle her life with more grace and dignity. The book also captures the sights, sounds and essence of each country and the author makes this very visual by her descriptions. The story is unique and the author creates characters and incidents that are plausible. A beautiful story of hope and acceptance.
Recommend this book:
The Notorious Dream of Jesús Lázaro
A Novel
Terence Clarke
2015 Honorable Mention
302 Pages
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Fiction - General
Sweeping. Beautiful. Striking. I could go on, but one word descriptions of a book, especially one as wonderful as The Notorious Dream of Jesús Lázaro, would not suffice. This masterful work by author Terence Clarke follows the titular artist, Jesús Lázaro, on his journey to complete his master work, murals that he feels called to complete on the exterior of the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco. The Archbishop that oversees the Cathedral, Ruben Mullins, and the Pope himself, refuse to allow Jesús his desire. But when a miraculous and painful sign from God is visited upon the Archbishop himself, he realizes that he must allow the murals to be painted, however unconventional they may be. The decision leads to chaos in the streets of San Francisco, concern from the echelons of the Vatican, and perhaps attention from God Himself.
Sometimes, as a reviewer, one feels that they may not be able to do a book justice in the short amount of time one has to write a review. This is one of those times. Terence Clarke’s novel, The Notorious Dream of Jesús Lázaro, follows an artist in the creation of his life’s masterpiece. Mr. Clarke, in writing this saga, has completed his own literary masterpiece. I simply cannot recommend this book more highly. It would appeal to any lover of fiction, the art world, or simply great writing. I loved, loved, loved this book and I cannot wait to read more of Terence Clarke’s work.
Recommend this book:
Thieving Forest
Martha Conway
2015 Bronze Medal
417 Pages
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Fiction - General
When Susanna Quiner went out of the Ohio house she shared with her four sisters in order to feed the pig one morning, she did not imagine she might not see them for a very long time, or even forever. Thieving Forest by Martha Conway follows Susanna’s determined search for her sisters after she witnesses their abduction by Native Americans. During this journey, Susanna learns to work hard and do things she would have never imagined, and most of all she learns how much she loves her sisters and how she would stop at nothing to find them. The journey is life-changing for all the Quiners, and some discover very surprising things about themselves and the sacrifices and the life choices they ultimately make. The experience either destroys the life of some or gives a clear path in life to others.
Thieving Forest is a well written novel, very rich in historical details of how life in 1806 must have been. Martha Conway vividly describes a time when a human life was valued less than a horse’s and when people - regardless of race - were traded across America like cattle. It is evident the extent of the research Conway did into the geography of Ohio, the swamps, the food, the diseases that people were battling with, and most of all, the customs of the Native Americans at a time when some of them were dealing with/living in the same settlements as white people, while most of them followed their old tribal ways. Besides being a historical novel, Thieving Forest is a compelling mystery which I read breathlessly, keen to find out what happens next. It also made me think about the precariousness of what we value in life, the same as the Quiners did once with a completely different perspective. The depths of the issues considered, the wealth of historical detail, the realistic descriptions of the never ending forests and the creatures living there, and the actual story line all combine to make Thieving Forest a great read. I have nothing but good things to say about Thieving Forest. I really enjoyed reading it and it is a pleasure to occasionally find such a great book. I highly recommend it.
Recommend this book:
A Perfectly Good Crime
A Kate Bradley Mystery
Dete Meserve
2015 Bronze Medal
288 Pages
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Fiction - General
A Perfectly Good Crime: A Kate Bradley Mystery is an investigative sleuth mystery written by Dete Meserve. Someone is robbing the ultra-rich of Los Angeles, and investigative journalist Kate Bradley needs to figure out who and why. They seem to know exactly what to take and limit themselves to luxury items that can easily be replaced. The mansions the robbers have hit are opulent in the extreme, and the owners are billionaires. Kate’s father, Senator Bradley, is worried about Kate’s investigation as some of the owners Kate’s asking tough questions of are his financial backers as well as being his friends. Channel 11’s major advertiser has threatened to cut off their income stream if Kate continues to cover what’s become known as the Robin Hood story. Kate’s determined, however, to identify the mastermind who’s been able to enter mansions with their state of the art security systems still in place.
Dete Meserve's investigative sleuth mystery, A Perfectly Good Crime: A Kate Bradley Mystery, is fast-paced and thought-provoking. The author highlights the social problem of income inequality in her contrasts between the privileged lifestyles of the owners of the lavish mansions that have been victimized and the lives and hardships of the Angelenos living not that far away in the poorer parts of LA, and she does so in a way that’s neither preachy nor didactic. I found myself wondering why so many police personnel were assigned to investigate that first burglary when the average homeowner gets little or no response after a robbery; and found the rising tide of resentment against the uber wealthy victims to be a natural or understandable response, even while acknowledging the wrongness of theft. As with the plot, Kate is a complicated character. She’s in the shadow of her Senator father who raised her, and is in love with a fireman who will not leave LA when she’s offered a major career move in NYC. Does she give up on her dreams or her man?
This is a compelling story that keeps the reader guessing as Kate tries to solve the mystery of the thefts, keep the peace with her father, and make a decision on the NYC offer. She also has to reconcile her grudging admiration for Robin Hood with her instinctive sense of justice. Meserve gives the reader a lot to think about in A Perfectly Good Crime and she does so in a taut, well-plotted story that reads beautifully. I quickly became engrossed in the plot and found Kate Bradley to be a character I’d like to read more about. A Perfectly Good Crime is most highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Conflicting Webs
Darlene Quinn
2015 Silver Medal
480 Pages
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Fiction - General
I absolutely loved Conflicting Webs by Darlene Quinn. Conflicting Webs, which happens to be a stand-alone story, is the fifth addition to Quinn’s Web series. The Web series contains four other books. This is the first book I have read in the Web series so I was happy that Quinn fills the reader in on some of the things from the other books. This book focuses on the wedding of April Toddman and Kyle Clark. It also revolves around a custody battle for Lindsay Levin. There is also a lot more that happens, but I will not spoil it. This story is filled with just the right amount of drama and everything that occurs is believable. The characters are mostly lovable and all of them are unique.
Conflicting Webs contains a large cast of characters. At first, I felt there were too many characters to focus on, but when I continued reading I appreciated that Quinn tells each character’s side of the story and point of view. Every character has a reason for being in this book. I also like how every one of Quinn’s characters, no matter how bad they are, all have a little good in them. I liked the character of April Toddman because she is a strong female who always tries to do the right thing. I hated Howard Levin, but so did everyone else in the book. Nora Levin is a saint for putting up with him and not hiring a hit man. Lindsay Levin is the character my heart went out to the most. She is surrounded by love but no one can really take care of her.
Overall, I really loved Conflicting Webs. It reminded me of the television show Brothers and Sisters in that everyone is related or their paths cross in some way. I liked that Quinn wrote about Survivor’s Guilt. It helped me to realize that people in my own life are suffering from it. I will be looking into reading the rest of the Web series as well as Quinn’s other books. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys drama and family stories.