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:
Paintings
A Collection Of Lyrical Tales
Kelley Lee McDonald
2015 Finalist
94 Pages
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Poetry - Inspirational
Paintings: A Collection Of Lyrical Tales is an inspirational mix of poems, photographs and art composed by Kelley Lee McDonald. Each poem is preceded by a photograph or illustration that creates an impression echoed by the poem. Some poems discuss the author's past life and memories, while others reflect the nature photographs that precede them. The poet writes in a loose mix of free verse and rhyme, which creates a stream of consciousness effect. The reader is invited to read backwards and forwards and see how the words of each line merge and gain meaning. There are a number of graphic and city images, as well as an impressive collection of nature photographs.
Kelley Lee McDonald's eclectic inspirational poetry collection, Paintings: A Collection Of Lyrical Tales, is a heart-felt and ferociously brave memoir in verse. I was enchanted by her nature photographs: you can see the delicate hairs lining the iris and almost see yourself in the reflection of a hawk's eye. There are marvelous sunsets, cloud pictures and snowy winter landscapes. The poet's poem, His Name Is My Father, is perhaps my favorite, and is, in my opinion, the strongest piece in the collection. McDonald's poetic voice is clearest in this work, and her focus is laser-sharp on the images she remembers of this man, the nuances of their relationship and the legacies he left her. The photograph that precedes this work speaks loudly and eloquently to the poem and its subject. Paintings is also a beautifully prepared and presented work that is a joy to look at and appreciate. Paintings: A Collection Of Lyrical Tales is highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Kernel of Vedic Truth
Bhagavata Purana and Bhakti Sutra
Dev Bhattacharyya
2015 Finalist
312 Pages
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Poetry - Inspirational
Kernel of Vedic Truth by Dev Bhattacharyya, as the title suggests, is a synopsis of some of the most revered and ancient Vedic texts from India. Kernel of Vedic Truth borrows from and explains the religious and spiritual contexts stated in the Bhagavata Purana and the Bhakti Sutra of Sandilya. Both of these texts are ancient Hindu Vedic texts that have tried to explain and answer many of the fundamental questions that we, as human beings, still ask ourselves today: Who are we? Where did we come from? Where do we go after this? What is the meaning of life? Kernel of Vedic Truth tries to capture the essence of these two great texts and convey the meaning in short, simple paragraphs that almost read like a beautiful poem. A glossary of Sanskrit words and their meanings is also provided at the end of the book.
Dev Bhattacharyya has done a wonderful job translating and, more importantly, conveying the original meaning and message of these two great texts. I absolutely loved taking my time and reading about the cosmos, the cycle of life and death, Karma and how good and bad deeds affect your life, the spiritual path to becoming Brahma or Enlightened, the practice of Yoga and meditation, and so much more. The book is written in a ballad style which is very easy to read and understand. Many of the verses tell a story within a story and some have layered meanings. This is definitely a book worth reading many times over, as I got a sense that the more times I read it, the more I will get out of it. Overall, I loved this book and would very highly recommend it.
Recommend this book:
Goddess In The Silence
Robert Ahaness
2015 Honorable Mention
55 Pages
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Poetry - Inspirational
Goddess In The Silence by Robert Ahanes is a beautiful book full of the most delightful poetry. The author offers some diverse and interesting pieces. Greek mythology is an obvious influence in several of the poems and for me, personally, they were by far my favourite. There was a mixture of stanzas used which was wonderful as it added an air of freshness to the book. The other interesting aspect was the darker and deadlier pieces which stood out for me. They were imaginative and made this book unique.
Robert Ahanes delivers his exceptional poetry in the book entitled Goddess In The Silence. This is such an apt title for his work. It was an explosive book from start to finish and the opening poem about Medusa has got to be one of my all time favorites. I loved the author's darker side and my imagination was on overdrive the more I read. This book is creative and adventurous, which I found very exciting. There is something for everyone and for me it has got to be in my top three in the poetry genre that I have read this year. I would recommend this to anyone who wants something new and different which can awaken the senses, as this book certainly does that. The author is extremely talented and has put his heart and soul into his work, which is clear to see. I look forward to reading more of his exciting work in the future.
Recommend this book:
Lessons
Shattered Pieces Being Restored
LaDonna Marie
2015 Bronze Medal
94 Pages
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Poetry - Inspirational
Lessons: Shattered Pieces Being Restored by LaDonna Marie is an inspirational and self-motivational read. The book follows the stories of three different girls, Chantel, Casey and Mandy, as they navigate this hard journey called life. The author writes a short scenario for each girl, explaining their current place in their lives, along with their feelings, and then utilizes multiple thought-provoking poems to further express the feelings and resolutions for each situation. LaDonna Marie covers a multitude of common situations, such as bullying, past regrets, anger, parental loss, self-esteem and love, to name just a few.
I found Lessons: Shattered Pieces Being Restored to be such a beautiful book. The poems were inspiring, lyrical as well as reflective. The author takes a Christian viewpoint to show people that life is worth living, each person has worth and no matter what, everyone can prevail if they just try. Nothing is too hard or too bleak to overcome. The book directs readers to have faith that God will see you through, and to believe that you can beat all odds and make it. I would recommend this book to young (tween to teen) girls especially, as I believe they can relate to the struggles and lives of the three young girls mentioned. Parents with teen children can benefit from reading this book as well, as the author provides so many inspirational and motivational solutions to dealing with life issues. A positive mindset is a powerful tool when dealing with life’s hardships. Kudos to LaDonna Marie for providing such an empowering book.
Recommend this book:
Ballad Divine
Bhagavad-Gita
Dev Bhattacharyya
2015 Silver Medal
222 Pages
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Poetry - Inspirational
Ballad Divine is a unique translation of the Bhagavad Gita by Dev Bhattacharya, written in verse form. The Gita was intended to be an epic poem and, in translating it into verse form, the English reader can appreciate the beauty and drama of this form. The emotions and moods of the two camps preparing for battle are captured well and then ensues one of the greatest treatises in Hinduism where Krishna instructs Arjuna as to why fighting the enemy is his moral duty, and several other gems of wisdom regarding human life and spirituality.
The passages are organised into chapters, named to highlight the content. Due to the dramatic and poetic quality of the verse, this book could inspire adaptations of the Gita in play or film format. For a modern day audience, it is essential to have clear translations of spiritual texts. Not only can one appreciate the philosophy and logic in this work, but also the aesthetic beauty of the verses which explain the meaning and importance of yoga and balance for spiritual well being.
Being secure in the supreme is an important theme in this work, which many spiritual seekers in Kali Yuga will pursue in understanding. I highly recommend this translation of the Gita to anyone interested in a straightforward version without extra commentary. At the end of the book, the author has included the original verses in Sanskrit, and also a transliteration with English meaning in brackets. This would appeal to learners of Sanskrit and also readers interested in appreciating the beauty of the original Sanskrit verses. I highly recommend this work for spiritual seekers and philosophers alike.
Recommend this book:
The Space Between
Anna Elkins
2014 Honorable Mention
44 Pages
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Poetry - Inspirational
Understanding what separates one individual from another, one concept from another, one realm or planet or star from another, or even that space which separates a question from an answer, is all brought into question and analyzed in poetic fashion by Anna Elkins in her collection of poetry The Space Between. Anna divides her collection into three different sections which separate 'what is' from 'what is dreamed.' Part I, “What Is,” is a collection of poems which discuss the different types of things that fill the space between others in reality, for instance, the space between words or the fog between grass and trees in the forest, or even the space filled with a kiss between Saturday and Sunday. Part II, “What Is Dreamed,” brings to light those things which fill the space between sleeping and waking, especially in the exact moment when one awakens to realize that the plumage of a bird has turned to ice on the windshield. Finally, Part III, “What Is Dreamed of In Day,” which opens the door to exploring the elusive dreams which are those things we strive to achieve like the gold which we try to shape into a brick to stack. All of these poems come together into a complete portrait which draws together the space between dreams and reality.
In The Space Between, Anna Elkins paints a portrait which bridges the space between dreams, striving, and reality by using word images that would be impossible to construct with the medium of a graphic artist. Only through the imagination, spurred on by the imagery of poems such as these, is the mind able to envision those concrete and abstract objects and concepts which fill The Space Between. Inspiring, thought provoking and vivid; the portrait painted by The Space Between is a masterpiece formed from the colors of a verbal palette.
Recommend this book:
Inner Reflections
Chrissy Hampton
2013 Bronze Medal
94 Pages
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Poetry - Inspirational
“Inner Reflections” by Chrissy Hampton, as the title suggests, is a soul-searching journey of the poet. The poems in the book are motivational and inspiring and semi-confessional. The very fact that the poet is taking you into her world itself makes this collection heart-wrenching and endearing to the reader. The style of writing is sublime, simple and elegant. The poems evoke a lot of feelings. The poet’s courage to share her personal journey makes this collection very appealing. The poems deal with healing, peace, truth, love, gratitude and courage. Many of these are missing in the current world we are living in. A few poems deal with her personal relationships. She also gives a lot of advice to the reader. I felt the poems are soul-searching and they reveal the poet’s inner journey, her reflections of life and the efforts she has made to change her life.
I like the fact that she opens up to the reader about her, and how she has finally opened her eyes and decided to change. She speaks of Karma and some of the poems are introspective. One can make out that some of the poems are very personal and written out of experience. Overall I found “Inner Reflections” very inspiring. It is a good collection for people looking to bring about changes in their life. I liked the fact that all the poems have spiritual undertones. One can easily relate to the poet’s perspective on life and personal relationships very easily.
Recommend this book:
Gift of a Servant
Tamara Amos
2013 Silver Medal
33 Pages
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Poetry - Inspirational
This children’s Christmas book has beautiful and colorful pictures throughout the pages. It will become a favorite for Christian parents who are worried that their children will forget Christ in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. It closely follows the Christian belief that Santa is a beloved servant sent by our Lord Christ to tell the children never to forget His love for us. The story is great entertainment and a learning tool for children of all ages, without being preachy or pushy at all. The story is that of a father who sits by the window on Christmas eve meditating on how people have forgotten what Christmas is all about. In his frustration, he blames Santa Claus for this abomination and is willing to wait for the man in red to tell him off. Quietly, Santa hears his accusations, and then lovingly he shows him how he became Santa. In this vision, the worried father sees Christ gathering the children to him and then He on the cross on Calvary being worried for them. He needs a servant, someone who will remind the children how much He loves them.
This is truly a beautiful story sure to be loved by children and parents alike. The author does a great job of taking this subject and making it so simple and special. It is a must for any Christian home and people throughout the world. This children’s story is very well done for the appropriate age level. It will soon become a favorite for many readers throughout the world. Hopefully it will be translated to Spanish so that many children in that language will be able to enjoy its message and its beauty.
Recommend this book:
A-Z the Universe in Me
Michal Y Noah
2013 Gold Medal
31 Pages
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Poetry - Inspirational
An easy, simple way to teach positive affirmations to your children. A new way to teach the alphabet to the young ones. Each affirmation is a joy to read with important meaning. Every child is special in his or her own way and the best way to bring them up to be confident, loving and intelligent is to encourage them to believe in themselves and their abilities. Each verse takes ample examples from nature to help the child to relate to the emotion being spoken about in the verse.
"A-Z the Universe in Me" by Michal Y Noah does an amazing job of teaching children the importance of being loving, sweet, free and joyful. This is a magical book that any parent would love to read to their child. The simple and easy poems/rhymes are fun for children to memorize and recite. They can learn so many things about nature and how all good qualities exist in all of us. The method adopted to teach is very innovative. Any parent who wants to nurture their child in a loving and positive manner will fall head over heels in love with this book. Positive emotions and affirmations help us to have a positive outlook in life and exposing children to all things positive right from their younger years is a step in the right direction. Teaching our children to be joyous and happy right from the start will eventually help us to build a society that is loving, peaceful and positive. With mind-blowing illustrations by Chrissy Fanslau, this book is a sure fire winner all the way.