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:
Ring On Deli
Eric Giroux
2021 Honorable Mention
288 Pages
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Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Ring On Deli by Eric Giroux is a humorous tale of two brothers who fight against the odds in a town called Pennacook, Massachusetts. Ray moved to this little town five years ago after his parents passed away in a car accident, and he became the legal guardian of Patrick, his younger brother. Working at the deli counter at Bounty Bag wasn’t the best option, but it made money while Patrick got to finish his education at the local school. However, their peaceful existence was shaken when Patrick started to get into trouble, the Bounty Bag decided to prioritize automation, workers started a protest, and Mrs. Chong’s (the local school principal) plans to expand the school’s building went haywire. During all this chaos, the Markham brothers needed to survive, stay together and make it out unscathed. Could they when the whole town was plunged into disorder?
Humorous, intricate, and exceptional, the narrative reminded me of Jamie Loftus (one of the greatest humor writers of modern time). Author Eric Giroux wonderfully balanced humor and fun times with strong characters and fantastic writing. Ring On Deli is compelling and well-written. The plot revolving around the boys read more like a hit movie to me. Poor Ray was put in a tough position after his parents died. While taking care of a teenager was hard, I could tell he tried to be a cool brother and an authority figure in Patrick’s life. Patrick was the quintessential teenager going through teen blues. His connection with Mr. Grant was the perfect antidote for Patrick’s blues and gave him a direction to work on. Surprisingly, the political undertones of the story were just as entertaining as the story of the Markham brothers. What a fantastic way to start a promising writing career. Very entertaining! I loved it!
Recommend this book:
Catnapped
A Magical Romantic Comedy (with a body count)
R.J. Blain
2021 Bronze Medal
260 Pages
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Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Catnapped is a work of fiction in the urban fantasy, adventure, and romantic drama subgenres, and was penned by author R. J. Blain. The work is intended for the general reading audience and is subtitled ‘A Magical Romantic Comedy (with a body count)’, which sums up the ethos and attitude of the work very well indeed. Our protagonist is the instantly likable Diana, a woman who adores her rescue cat, Mr. Flooferson the Magnificent, and would quite literally go to the ends of the earth for him. So when Diana finds her cat stolen, she makes a deal with demons, angels, and everyone in between in order to rescue him, little knowing that her quest will lead her into a celestial fight the scale of which she could never have imagined.
Author R. J. Blain has crafted an utterly charming work of comedy-drama fiction with plenty of thrills, spills, and laugh-out-loud moments to offer readers. As an avid reader of many of Blain’s works, it is wonderful to see the author hit such a delicate balance of the wacky and the relatable, which is achieved in no small part by her commitment to developing such relatable characters, whom you can believe in despite the bizarre and entertaining events of the plot. The cheeky dialogue and snark within the prose offset the cutesy overtones, making for a wild adventure that readers from teens to any age above can’t fail to enjoy. Overall, I would highly recommend Catnapped to fans of quirky, witty comedies, fantasy adventure novels, and readers of well-penned romantic fiction everywhere.
Recommend this book:
Five Times Lucky
P. David Temple
2021 Silver Medal
304 Pages
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Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Five Times Lucky by P. David Temple is the literary version of a rom-com, with a definite philosophical bent. BunnyLee Welles has just returned to Los Angeles for her best friend’s wedding after four years teaching in Thailand and exploring Asia, looking for enlightenment. She plans to spend only a few weeks back in America before returning to her job in Thailand but is shocked to discover that a minor advertisement she did for dentures some years ago has now been resurrected as an advert for teeth-whitening. It has gone viral in this internet age. She is stunned to see her smile plastered all over billboards, busses, and buildings, on the taxi ride in from the airport. Having planned a quiet return to L.A., she now appears to have achieved what every actor dreams of – fame! When BunnyLee agrees to help a friend and fill in as a replacement mixed-doubles partner at the home of famous actor Buck LeGrande, little does she realize how much her life is going to change. Invited by Buck to stay in his guest cabana whilst she is in the U.S., BunnyLee finds herself living the life of the rich and famous while still trying to keep a low profile and fly under the radar of the paparazzi. A tangled, seemingly disparate cast of characters is inexorably headed for a meeting that may convince BunnyLee that she has been looking for self-fulfillment in all the wrong places.
Five Times Lucky is genuinely funny and conforms well to the literary rom-com niche. Author P. David Temple has done a fine job of pulling together many disparate characters and story arcs that initially seem to have no relationship to each other, building them up to a dramatic climax. I particularly liked that the author imbued his main female lead character with intelligence as well as beauty, leaving the typical dumb blonde, movie-star stereotype (obsessed with appearance, looks, and fame) to the male lead. This was a nice role reversal in character that didn’t go unnoticed. The fact that BunnyLee was wont to spout Kierkegaard, Satre, and other philosophical notions was partly what lifted this story out of the realms of farce and made it readable and relatable. Some of the supporting characters were heavily overdrawn caricatures, which was entirely acceptable in order to create such a large differential between the thoughtful, shy, and withdrawn nature of BunnyLee to the over-the-top antics of Buck and his supporting cast. Scattered amongst the antics, the fun, and the farce were some deep and pertinent insights into relationships, the nature of fame, the shallowness of Hollywood, and life in general, which definitely stopped this tale from descending into a “Keystone Cops” version of a rom-com. This was a fun, light, and easy read that definitely had me chuckling and I can recommend it for a lazy afternoon by the fire or pool.
Recommend this book:
Lobsters, Bisques, and Berries
Modern Mail Order Brides
Olivia Gaines
2021 Gold Medal
238 Pages
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Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Lobsters, Bisques, and Berries is another installment from Olivia Gaines' best-selling romantic comedy collection, Modern Mail Order Brides. Lakota Simjak, a thirty-nine-year-old Native American attorney, feels it's time to settle down and have a family. In his quest for a soulmate, he approaches a matchmaker service based in New York City. After three incompatible matches, Lakota finally finds his Perfect Match in Melody Willis, an international pop star seeking a life away from public scrutiny and fame. Feeling an instant mutual attraction, Lakota and Melody tie the knot and begin a contented life in the wilderness of Maine. However, their journey has just begun as they have yet to meet each other's families from vastly different backgrounds. Will they live happily ever after?
Author Olivia Gaines tells an intoxicating tale of star-crossed lovers filled with romance and humor. Lobsters, Bisques, and Berries follows Melody and Lakota's lives as a married couple from two different worlds. Melody, a pop star from a musical family with an impulsive sister, gives up a life lived in the limelight to share it with Lakota, a humble and reserved man brought up in the ways of the wild in Native American traditions. The juxtaposition between their two environments forms the bedrock of the narrative. Both of their visits to their respective families make for plenty of dramatic moments and provide some genuinely laugh-out-loud scenes. Apart from Lakota and Melody, I also enjoyed the colorful characters of Symphony, Elizah, and Lorelei. If you love to read romantic comedies, don't miss out on Lobsters, Bisques, and Berries.
Recommend this book:
Fun with Dick
John Dolan
2020 Finalist
184 Pages
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Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Fun with Dick by John Dolan is a gripping psychological thriller with a quirky protagonist. From the start, the reader meets the protagonist, twenty-five-year-old Richard Blackheart whose life is dull. But there is more to him than that. First, he hates his name, even though it has a royal ring to it. Second, his friends call him, “Dick,” so his name becomes Dick Blackheart from Hampstead. His father is a marine insurance specialist and his mother “a gin drinker and social butterfly.” He has an older and only sibling who is the beneficiary to the family largesse. He wasn’t bullied in school because his friends tend to be losers like him. But then, something awesome happens when he meets Mr. Henry Browne, an editor for Bright Sparks Publishing. For lack of what to talk about, he shares his idea of How to Die, Alone, Smelly and Unloved. That alone is the one thing that would make him a hero, and the journey to accomplishing that dream begins in this novel. How it ends is for the reader to find out.
This is a wonderful book, but it is disturbing. The protagonist has been seeing a shrink, Dr. Finkelstein, who has had a great impact on his life and who has also inspired his idea of writing the ultimate non-self-help book. The writing works well in the first-person narrative. The voice is strong and absorbing. The way the protagonist talks about himself and about his work and colleagues creates the quirkiness that elevates the writing. This is a hugely entertaining and delightful read that explores self-pity and looks at a character’s struggle to get out of anonymity and obscurity. It’s a page-turner that is well-crafted with engaging dialogues and strong streams of consciousness.
Recommend this book:
Bottomless Cups
Joel Bresler
2020 Honorable Mention
231 Pages
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Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Bottomless Cups by Joel Bresler is a poignant story of friendship. The main story is seen through the eyes of Teddy and Ray. The boys meet when they are 10 years old and the friendship endures for over 50 years, through good times and bad. The boys make friends along the way and share many happy teenage years together, riding around town in an old Studebaker. We share with them the love and loss of girlfriends and wives. We also share many hours when they meet and drink endless cups of coffee. The story seamlessly goes back and forth from the past to the present, reliving their youth and reaching old age.
When one of the old crowd, who has gone to Hollywood to make movies, invites everyone from the old days to a reunion, they quickly learn he is interested in making a movie of their lives. The group arrives in Hollywood and spends days on the set, watching younger people portray them until it is their time to do the acting. When the movie is completed, Ray and Teddy, along with all of their family and friends, look back on their life and it makes them stop and really think of what their lives have meant.
I found Bottomless Cups by Joel Bresler to be funny, but I also felt many other emotions. Bottomless Cups caused me to look back on my life and memories just a little deeper and I found that while I did not have those wonderful lasting friendships, I enjoyed reliving my own youth. Bottomless Cups is a story of nostalgia, memories, youth, old age, and life – it is a good story and should be put high on your reading list. The young can get a glimpse into their future and the old can enjoy a walk down Memory Lane.
Recommend this book:
What's That Growing in My Sour Cream?
Humorous Observations on Modern Life
Brad Graber
2020 Bronze Medal
252 Pages
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Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Life’s greatest questions need not all be grand cosmic imponderables. Sometimes they are seemingly mundane queries such as “Why is a poodle in the bathroom?” or “Why is the TV so darn loud?” Brad Graber tackles these mind-benders and others in his aptly titled What’s That Growing in my Sour Cream? Humorous Observations on Modern Life. A collection of short essays based on posts from his popular blog, this book contains Graber’s wisdom gleaned from his observations of life around him. Each topic is covered in two easily digested pages, accompanied by attractive illustrations. They can be read in any order and are eminently quotable. His delivery is accessible and by turns funny and moving. As an added bonus, Graber includes chapters from two of his published novels at the conclusion of the collection of observations.
You’ll find yourself laughing out loud on more than one occasion while reading this compilation. Brad Graber has an eye for detecting life’s quirks and exposing them to the light of day in What’s That Growing in my Sour Cream? Nothing escapes his acerbic eye from that one curious fly circling diners in the local deli to 21st-century smartphone behaviors, and he does not even spare himself from an honest evaluation. He also provides lists of tips for a happy life that are perfect for including in anyone’s daily mantra. The unadvertised bonus of the opening chapters of his two novels that showcase his fiction writing skills are entertaining, but the shining stars of this book are unquestionably the witty and poignant essays.
Recommend this book:
Arnold Falls
Charlie Suisman
2020 Silver Medal
278 Pages
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Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Charlie Suisman introduces us to the folks of Arnold Falls. At first glance, you might think it a village like any other but it isn’t. Arnold Falls is home to a cast of quirky, odd characters who seem to attract an inordinate number of small, seemingly insignificant problems. Jeebie Walker left the city in favor of life in Arnold Falls with his boyfriend, a nice house and a quiet life. He still has the house, but the boyfriend is gone and he still can’t find his peace and quiet. Jeebie is keeping busy though; helping his friend to get elected as the first female mayor, saving a turkey called Chaplin from the Thanksgiving table, and stopping a tire factory from being built on the river. He’s not looking for love anymore, even though someone has their eye on him but Arnold Falls has a way of making things happen. The eclectic cast of characters needs to fight many tiny, insignificant battles to bring Arnold Falls back to the disorder it thrives on. Then, and only then, may Jeebie find exactly what he is seeking.
Arnold Falls by Charlie Suisman is a fascinating, funny tale of life in an oddball village, with an amazing cast of characters. Be prepared to go on a trip; start reading this book and you will find yourself wandering the streets of Arnold Falls, meeting weird and wonderful characters who seem somehow normal despite their quirkiness. This story is kind of about Jeebie and his life but there are a few other stories here too, opening us up to a tale that will bring you to your knees in laughter and tears. You will go through a whole range of emotions with characters that are all fantastically developed and very real people. Trust me when I say that this novel is a delightful read and you will not be bored reading it – in fact, you’ll be sad when it’s over.
Recommend this book:
The Big Book of Silly Jokes for Kids
800+ Jokes!
Carole P. Roman
2020 Gold Medal
160 Pages
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Fiction - Humor/Comedy
If you want to laugh, The Big Book of Silly Jokes for Kids by Carole P. Roman is the book for you. The book contains over 800 jokes and is filled with funny jokes, challenging tongue twisters, hilarious puns, and puzzling riddles. There are jokes about practically every topic imaginable: pirates, space, sports, food, and more. There are many different types of jokes as well: longer jokes, short jokes, and knock-knock jokes. Some of the jokes are classics, while others are ones that I’ve never heard before, but all of them are humorous. One of my favorite jokes was “What did the man say when he walked into a bar? ‘Ouch!’” It had me laughing for a while.
Amusing and entertaining, The Big Book of Silly Jokes for Kids by Carole P. Roman is a really fun read. I really enjoyed reading it by myself, but sharing the jokes with my family and friends and seeing their reactions made the experience even more pleasurable. I really liked the silly stats; they separate this book from all the other joke books I've read and it was really cool to read a fact that related to the previous joke. I also liked that the book has a section where the reader can write down their own jokes, making the book more personal. There are a few jokes with corresponding illustrations that are very well drawn. The book is very well organized, with brightly-colored title pages for each section, which also explains what the section is about. I would definitely recommend this book.
Recommend this book:
Double Down
Bruce Wessell
2019 Finalist
278 Pages
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Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Double Down by Bruce Wessell is a fun romp through Las Vegas with a man who has been stretched to the limits by his job, his relationship and his life. Finally, he takes a giant step and does something he never thought he would do. Johnny, a sales rep for a food processing company in Iowa, was a success but today couldn’t possibly get any worse, could it? Just prior to the company’s annual conference where he is going to be given the Pinnacle Award, including an enormous bonus as one of the company’s top salesmen, Johnny is visiting some of his more difficult clients and not enjoying it one iota. When he gets a message from his boss, whom he hates with a passion, he knows this day is going downhill fast. When Johnny’s informed he won’t be getting the Pinnacle Award due to some unaccounted for returns from one of his clients, he’s devastated and angry as hell. Seeking solace from his girlfriend, he returns home only to find her in bed with one of her co-workers. After rearranging the man’s face for him, Johnny storms off to see one of his least favorite clients, Bernie and Mother. Upon seeing a bag full of cash at Bernie’s sitting unattended in the office, Johnny grabs the bag and runs, heading for Vegas, of course, for some fun and adventure, all on Bernie’s money.
Double Down is a comedy but not in the gut-busting laughter vein. Its comedy is more subtle than that and author Bruce Wessell has painted a scenario that each and every one of us has possibly wondered about from time to time. If presented with a clear opportunity, would I do something illegal if I was angry enough or feeling cheated enough? Johnny was a great character in that despite his stealing Bernie and Mother’s money, he still maintained and showed a moral compass that some of us may not have been able to do. The supporting cast characters were all well-drawn, almost to the point of caricature, with the Russian Mafia guys and Bernie’s Mother (the Mother of all Mothers). I liked the writer’s style, which flowed effortlessly from one amusing situation to the next. The action is fast-paced and the comedy subtle but funny. Johnny is on a winning streak and it seems no matter what he does, he will come up smelling of roses. This was a fun read and one I enjoyed very much. As a debut novel, it is well presented, well written and engaging. If you fancy a bit of light relief, I’d say give Double Down a try.