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:
Moral Indignation
Embryonic Stem Cells, DNA, and Christians
Sherman P. Bastarache
2019 Finalist
314 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Religion/Philosophy
Moral Indignation: Embryonic Stem Cells, DNA, and Christians by Sherman P. Bastarache addresses many of the issues surrounding stem cell research and the religious arguments against it. While Bastarache begins by stating it's not possible to cover all of the disputes that arise on the subject, he undertakes every one I have heard and does so in the greatest of detail. Using a blend of biblical and religious verses in context and the application of science, Bastarache presents a compelling case about where the true balance lies between faith and reason, and how the misapplication of some beliefs have created an end result—literally the death of a living, fully formed person in order to preserve something not known conclusively to have a life or a soul—that runs counter to the underlying argument it is attempting to make.
Sherman P. Bastarache has compiled a meticulously researched and well written assertion in Moral Indignation. The science presented is mind-boggling and as a layperson it was often a bit too complex for me to fully grasp. That said, even without the same degree of comprehension I'd have liked, the information and evidence provided made Bastarache's point definitive for me. I believe it was in Chapter Seven: Impartment of a Soul, the moment I handed the book to my wife and told her she had to read it. The science cannot be ignored, but when it's paired with philosophy and good, old-fashioned common sense, it has to be shared. It has to be understood. It must be put into practice. I would recommend this book to all who are conflicted on the subject of stem cell research, and those who are looking for a true examination of what it means to be pro-life.
Recommend this book:
The Extended Hand
Marti Eicholz
2019 Honorable Mention
514 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Religion/Philosophy
The Extended Hand by Marti Eicholz follows a woman’s quest for meaning and happiness. In this memoir, the daughter of a preacher — a man with a great sense of control over his family — tells her story and shows readers the constraints of love, her inability to nurture herself, because, like most of us, she yearned for acceptance. In retrospect, she takes readers on a journey that has powerful psychological implications, exploring how our need to please others and to gain approval can lead to our not being able to live a life of our own. In this narrative, she shares her fears, her struggles, and the epiphany that turned her life around. From declaring bankruptcy to finding inner freedom, Marti Eicholz explores her humanity and, in her story, she unveils the mistakes that stop most people from allowing the wellsprings of life to flow from the center of their being.
This is a moving memoir that follows an interesting journey to some of the most meaningful lessons in life. The author explores how our faith can become a limitation to exploring who we truly are and reaching deep within ourselves to claim our freedom. There are significant moments in this memoir and I enjoyed the connection the author has with Robert, the man she’s come to love and who helps her discover the beauty of love. Self-discovery, the freedom to love and be loved, family and friendship, and the quest for happiness are among the themes that are written into this story. What I loved most about The Extended Hand is the author's ability to take a retrospective look at her life and identify lessons and universal truths that compel readers to look at their choices in life and respond to the question: Am I living my life or am I living a life designed for someone else? The writing is atmospheric and the relationships are beautifully explored. A story that is both an eye-opener and a revelation.
Recommend this book:
Our Secret Powers
Telepathy, Clairvoyance and Precognition. A Short History of (Nearly) Everything Paranormal
Terje G. Simonsen
2019 Bronze Medal
Kindle Edition
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Non-Fiction - Religion/Philosophy
Our Secret Powers: Telepathy, Clairvoyance, and Precognition. A Short History of (nearly) Everything Paranormal by Terje G. Simonsen explores the idea of the paranormal through what Simonsen calls the big five: telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition, telekinesis, and healing. Something not as prevalent in modern society, the paranormal is examined with examples from history and reports given by established names from a wide range of fields, including archaeology and philosophy. Our Secret Powers shines a light on these paranormal occurrences through an intellectual and psychological lens, while also addressing the skepticism surrounding them and introducing the Mental Internet, which is simply a mental (or telepathic) link that connects everyone.
Terje G. Simonsen has a grounded tone with facts that are well researched and thorough. The writing has a well organized structure, pulling forth instances from history and backing them up through a psychological understanding. The facts are concise and clearly presented, opening up the mind to coincidences and theories of the paranormal, and showing another way of seeing the world. Prominent figures from throughout history are used, presenting their notions and ideals. Simonsen digs deeper into the ideas of these notable people, with names that are easily recognizable, including Freud, Jung, and Einstein. The most interesting concept presented is the idea of the Mental Internet, which goes into the idea of Consciousness being something we're all doing together, and is described as a form of networking with a telepathic connection at the root of this network. Simonsen puts a new perspective on history by taking some well-known facts and mixing them with lesser known information with the focus on the paranormal as what connects them.
This is a book that will make you think about similar coincidences in your own life, such as when you're thinking of someone and then they call, or you pick up the phone and the person you're calling is already on the line, having picked up to call you at the exact same time. Our Secret Powers is an intelligent and fascinating read that will appeal to those who enjoy science, history, psychology, and the paranormal. Simonsen will make you want to hop onto the Mental Internet and see what can be discovered.
Recommend this book:
To the Moon and Back
A Childhood Under the Influence
Lisa Kohn
2019 Silver Medal
250 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Religion/Philosophy
To the Moon and Back: A Childhood Under the Influence by Lisa Kohn is a gritty memoir of abuse. At an early age, Lisa was exposed to abuse, including cocaine, even received from a judge. It just seemed natural for a child who had no other values as an alternative. Now entrenched in a cult in New York, founded by the self-proclaimed messiah, Sun Myung Moon, Lisa Kohn and her brother, Robbie, found a point of reference. But the sense of belonging that the cult gave her soon metamorphosed into a struggle to break free from it. Follow her story to discover powerful lessons on inner freedom and self-conquest.
Told in a strong and convincing voice, To the Moon and Back: A Childhood Under the Influence is a story that reflects the author’s honesty and courage. While Lisa Kohn tells readers an engaging story, she also sprinkles it with insights and reflections that are illuminating and filled with wisdom. Here is an example: “As a kid you misinterpret the nasty things that happen to and around you, and you somehow believe you’re to blame. As a young adult I internalized this more and more.” The writing is engaging, with scenes that are focused, characters that are emotionally and psychologically rich, and commentaries that explore elements of the setting and the dynamics of family.
The conflict is introduced at the very beginning of the narrative: “My brother says that we were raised by wolves. I don’t always agree with him, but I don’t have a more accurate description of our upbringing.” Lisa notes that a friend of hers pointed out how wolves raise their young with more structure than her parents gave them. The conflict develops at different levels and crystallizes in the internal conflict in which the author makes hard and difficult choices. This book has powerful lessons for people trapped in a life under the influence, a story filled with love and hope.
Recommend this book:
Healing Justice
Stories of Wisdom and Love
Jarem Sawatsky
2019 Gold Medal
147 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Religion/Philosophy
In a world that is broken and hurting in myriad ways, where hopelessness and despair steal into the hearts of many, Healing Justice: Stories of Wisdom and Love by Jarem Sawatsky offers a powerful antidote, a great promise, and a path towards healing and compassion. A book that is deeply personal yet imbued with a universal message that chronicles the author’s journey towards healing himself and the world. This book contains the message of hope, the message that even in the darkness of our life, there is a glimmer of light and that in our brokenness, there is the seed of our wholeness. How do we discover that which makes us whole in a world filled with despair? Such is the question that this book answers.
The author begins by asking questions that have strong philosophical and spiritual undertones: “How do we nurture the conditions where shatteredness might bloom into the unshatterable? ... How do we cultivate the ability to hear the cry that is deeper than all sound and see the unbreakable in the broken?” Sawatsky shares his stories, his search for healing justice, and this book contains the lessons he has learned in this journey. This book is filled with wisdom and insight and actionable steps that readers can take to attain wholeness in their lives and in their world.
Healing Justice: Stories of Wisdom and Love is written in a very lyrical style and the writing is filled with symbolism and images that allow readers to have a deeper understanding of the human condition. In language that pierces the soul, this author shows readers how to transform our hostility into hospitality, our anger into an honest search for justice, our pain into a seed of growth, and a lot more. It spoke straight to my heart.
Recommend this book:
Kleptomaniac Who's Really Robbing God Anyway?
The Untwisted Truth About the Centuries Old Tithes and Offering Deception
Frank Chase Jr
2018 Honorable Mention
446 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Religion/Philosophy
Kleptomaniac: Who’s Really Robbing God Anyway? The untwisted truth about the centuries-old tithes and offering deception by Dr. Frank Chase Jr, TH. D fills a narrow but very real niche in the area of biblically derived lessons and advice on the subject of tithes and offerings. I would have thought most Christians would research this topic themselves if it were very important to them, but to have all the references in one book, along with sound commentary and advice from a biblical scholar, certainly makes it easier. Dr. Frank Chase Jr. describes his own evolution of ideas about tithing and I must say we went through many of the same phases in pretty much the same order. I stopped evolving while Frank Chase Jr. went on to write this book that helps other Christians who have the same questions he had. Christianity at its best.
Kleptomaniac: Who’s Really Robbing God Anyway? may have more biblical quotes and references to tithing and money in general than any book I have ever read, save, of course, the Bible itself. It is written in a very smooth and articulate style that I’m guessing will be understandable to most people, but at the same time Dr. Frank Chase Jr’s education and vocabulary are evident on every page. As is his faith and his desire to help. From Abraham to Paul, Frank Chase Jr. delves into the origin, the definition, the application, and even the abuse of the custom of tithing. It is an interesting and sometimes colorful history and one Christians should certainly be more aware of. This book will help them.
Recommend this book:
Womb Awakening
Initiatory Wisdom from the Creatrix of All Life
Azra Bertrand M.D., Seren Bertrand
2018 Bronze Medal
560 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Religion/Philosophy
I picked up Womb Awakening: Initiatory Wisdom from the Creatrix of All Life by Azra Bertrand M.D. and Seren Bertrand out of curiosity, first because I am a woman, and second because I am a mom and I am three months pregnant now, but I never expected to find such wisdom and spiritual truths in this book. I feel different after reading this book, as though I am connected to a primordial, creative power. It’s the first book I have read with allusions to the womb of God. In this book, the authors resurrect mysteries and teachings of the womb that have been lost to history, helping the humanity of the reader to reconnect with the fecundity that precedes all life. According to the authors, and drawing inspiration from ancient teachings on the womb, there is a feminine cosmology of creation that has guided life for ages and each individual has a blueprint of the womb connecting them to the greater mystery of life.
With mythical stories and entertaining tales from all ages — including those from Christianity and other traditions — the authors weave a stunning message about the creative power of the womb and propose road maps for womb awakening. This book features wisdom from ancient sources and uses legends of the Holy Grail and personalities like Mary Magdalene to underscore powerful points. In this book, readers will understand the connection between the sacred womb consciousness and lunar energy, find tools to activate the creative power of the womb, and allow it to transform their lives, and master the alchemy of rebirth. There are some books that are easy to describe, but there are some that are just so good we find no words for description, and Womb Awakening is one of the latter. It’s so filled with wisdom and light that the reader has to experience it themselves.
Although I am not a keenly spiritual person, the message of this book awakened something in me and now I want to find out what it is. I always finish interesting books within a day, but it took me two weeks to finish this one because I had to savor every bit of it. One reads the book, puts it on the shelf, and yet continues to feel as though they were steeped in a refreshing spiritual river. Azra Bertrand, M.D. and Seren Bertrand seem to have invested a lot of time researching this work and the simplicity with which they communicate the message is astounding. The images and artwork, plus the illustrations, are very telling and symbolic. The book features a love letter in the opening pages that readers have to read, even if that is all they read in this book. This is a gift to receive with gratitude and then pass on. The pilgrimage into the womb will unveil deeper levels of life and love for those of you who dare.
Recommend this book:
Spiritual Living for Busy People
How to Nourish Your Soul in Today’s Hectic World
José Luis de la Torre Jr
2018 Finalist
158 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Religion/Philosophy
In Spiritual Living for Busy People: How to Nourish Your Soul in Today’s Hectic World, José de la Torre provides direction on how to live a spiritual life. One of the greatest features of this book is the well-labeled table of contents. While this might not seem like a big deal to some, the detailed headings make it so easy to return to any part of the book you want to study again. If you’re not one who likes endless highlighting, once you view the headings, you’ll understand what I mean.
José de la Torre’s chapter entitled Isn’t Spiritual Living Just For Spiritual People? shares some of the most well thought out explanations to help people get beyond the common and preconceived ideas of what is required in order to be spiritual. In each topic, the author provides, without preaching or even being defensive, sound reasons why people need not allow these arguments to make them feel they cannot live a spiritual life. I actually found this section to be my favorite.
Because it would be a spoiler, I’m not going to share the simple and liberating definition given of what spirituality is and how accessible it is to all of us. Yes, you’ll have to read the book for yourself to get it. What I will say is that the author packs so much enlightenment into this book, from his insights about service to his engaging ways of working with the mind, the heart and the body. Spiritual Living for Busy People: How to Nourish Your Soul in Today’s Hectic World is a comprehensive adventure and a concise imperative for anyone seeking a pathway to spiritual living. Moreover, it provides the guidance and the methods to finding that much sought-after inner peace that so many seek in this hectic world.
Recommend this book:
Coffee Shop University
A Book About Mythology, Spirituality, Philosophy, Psychology, Religion, Politics, Economics and the Ecology...
Mario Kfoury
2018 Finalist
207 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Religion/Philosophy
Coffee Shop University: A Book about Mythology, Spirituality, Philosophy, Psychology, Religion, Politics, Economics and the Ecology... by Mario Kfoury is a nonfiction read that deals with powerful existential, religious, philosophical and realistic themes. The book reads like the author’s mental journey; its confrontation with the harsh realities of life, a departure from mainstream contemporary culture to adopt a solution-oriented mindset. In this book, the author shares personal experiences and combines Western thought with Eastern philosophy and spirituality to compel readers to look reality in the face, opening their eyes to dread truths about human nature, and offering reflections on topics such as existence, change, conflict, truth, well-being, purpose, and many things in between.
This is a book that will appeal to philosophers, theologians, moralists, and sociologists, a multidisciplinary book that is intelligently written, thought-provoking and laced with deep insights. Every page is filled with astounding wisdom. The author interacts with life and with philosophers from the beginning of the history of human thought, featuring Socrates, Plato and many others. Mario Kfoury makes relevant references to great thinkers like the Tao, Albert Einstein, Dharma, and many others.
I was particularly excited by the depth of thought and the clarity of expression. For instance, about war, for instance, he states: “Any fight, no matter the form or style, is a balance of stamina, distance and timing.” A bit further down he observes that war is nothing other than an individual fight on a collective scale and it never reaches a final verdict nor a perfect settlement. I learned that the greatest victory is one that requires no battle. Coffee Shop University: A Book about Mythology, Spirituality, Philosophy, Psychology, Religion, Politics, Economics and the Ecology... is a book for readers who want to take life seriously and who love to indulge in mental labor. The writing is excellent and accessible and the ideas are expressed with vivid clarity and simplicity of phrase.
Recommend this book:
The Obelisk and the Cross
An Alternative History of God, Myth and Meaning in the Western World
Tony Sunderland
2017 Finalist
274 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Religion/Philosophy
In his stimulating work The Obelisk and the Cross, Tony Sunderland undertakes the academic’s most daunting challenge: to convey without ponderous explications or brittle simplifications the entire history of a subject – in this case, the evolution of religious thought – as it pertains to a rather focused primary objective – to bring insight to the fundamental trilogy of religious inquiry: Where did we come from? Why are we here? What happens when we die? Beginning with the oldest of religious symbols – the obelisk – and its strange appearance in the center of the world’s most enduring religious location – the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square – something that should denote a kind of sacrilege has been appropriated from antiquity and made a center-piece for modern theological supremacy. This prompts the author to ask a natural question: Why?
Tony Sunderland’s attempt in The Obelisk and the Cross to bring some clarity to a subject rife with diametrically opposed beliefs, opinions, conjectures, and unwavering, documented certainties as provided by almost every genre of inquiry known to man is nothing less than extraordinary. The writing is perfectly concise, incredibly inclusive yet relentlessly focused, and unerringly directed. There are so many ways this book could have jumped the track. That Mr. Sunderland takes the reader from here to there without a single extraneous side trip or excessive plodding, and yet manages to include every historical detail necessary to his purpose, makes for a fast and highly satisfying read. The reader realizes he is missing massive amounts of information, but never that this book suffers for the omission. Instead, as with any stimulating work, one feels impelled to search for further knowledge elsewhere. In turn, Mr. Sunderland meets his challenge here superbly. He gives the reader exactly what he promises at the start. And that is an amazing accomplishment.