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:
Lessons from a CF Cornerman
38 Lessons I Learned During my Wife's Illness and Lung Transplant
Raymond L. Poole
2017 Gold Medal
382 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Grief/Hardship
Lessons from a CF Cornerman: 38 Lessons I Learned During my Wife's Illness and Lung Transplant by Raymond L. Poole is a story that will certainly communicate hope to readers and help them look at the future positively, expectantly. In this nonfiction book, the author shares his experience of his wife’s illness and the lessons he learned through the process. It’s a story of pain and triumph, of family and love, a journey through illness that is both inspiring and motivating.
Rebecca Poole has lived with cystic fibrosis for 37 years. On New Year’s Eve of 2014, she had respiratory failure and was put on life support. She only had a few days to live. But she stayed on a ventilator for 171 days and was in the hospital for 218 days, an incredibly long period to cause stress in anyone. In this book, the husband tells the story and shows readers how the experience affected him and the lessons he learned. What was it like to stay positive when life was fading in his wife? What did it take to inject life into their relationship? How did he handle the very low days? How did he deal with the many obstacles that came along the way? This book answers these questions and offers readers insights that will help them deal with any major illness in their families.
Raymond L. Poole’s book will make readers cry and laugh at the same time. It is hard not to listen to his confident, upbeat, and humorous voice. I loved the excellent prose and the author’s storytelling skills. There were moments I found myself laughing in spite of the grim situations the author found himself in. For instance, when his wife tells him at the beginning of their relationship that she had cystic fibrosis, he never went into details to find out what it really meant. The story is complemented by beautiful images that are telling. Lessons from a CF Cornerman: 38 Lessons I Learned During my Wife's Illness and Lung Transplant is a beautiful gift that will be loved by those with family members who are sick, a story with a lot of beautiful lessons and entertaining moments.
Recommend this book:
Caskets From Costco
Kelly Wilson
2016 Finalist
184 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Grief/Hardship
Caskets from Costco by Kelly Wilson is an interesting read. The book filled me with a whole mixture of emotions while reading it. The book is funny but sad at times. It also makes you want to hug the author while slapping the people around her. I chose this book because I wanted to see how someone else deals with grief.
I thought Caskets from Costco was going to be mainly about the death of the author’s father-in-law and depression, but it was also about her life, the birth of her children and the abuse she suffered. It was a history of the beginning of her PTSD. The birth of Wilson’s first child brought back so many memories to me about the birth of my own child. We both had C-sections and were both unable to hold our child on the first day. We both also made deals with our spouses in order to get pregnant. Wilson’s deal with her husband was a remodeled kitchen. I also really loved the story of Big John and Little John. It had a great message in it.
I enjoyed reading Caskets from Costco. This is a great book for anyone who has ever been depressed. Wilson made me feel like I am not alone, seeing how she has been through some of the same things that I have. I am glad to know that I am not the only one who finds Christmas time depressing. Most importantly, I also learned that Costco does in fact sell caskets!
Recommend this book:
Finding Faith in the Field
Benjamin Hylden
2016 Honorable Mention
138 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Grief/Hardship
In an inspiring, hopeful and truly wonderful new book steeped in the author's strongly held Christian beliefs, Finding Faith in the Field by author Benjamin Hylden, readers will find a story absolutely worthy of their time. The author recounts his experience as a young star athlete, and the terrible car accident he suffered on the way to his high school prom. He was thrown from the vehicle, badly injured, and found himself alone, freezing, in a desolate field. While many would have thought that their life was about to end, what Ben found was very different. He found the beginning of a new life, a new life through Christ.
I very much enjoyed Finding Faith in the Field. Ben's book is one that will grab readers from the first page and will keep them reading straight through to the end. I so appreciated that he was able to take the story of a difficult and life-changing experience and use it to change his own life, as well as to inspire, change and hopefully improve the lives of the others set in his path. Ben's experiences during and after his accident, his personal experiences with the Lord, and his ability to profess his experiences with a true heart for evangelism, and to provide hope to others have gifted the world with a wonderful message of redemption and hope. I highly recommend this book to any reader looking for a spiritually uplifting read. I also hope that author Benjamin Hylden will continue his work in spreading God's word, perhaps with another book in the future. I, for, one, would certainly be in line to read it!
Recommend this book:
Frock Off
Living Undisguised
Jo Dibblee
2016 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:
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
Kindle Edition
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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
Check current price
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.