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 - Science/Technology
- 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
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Recommend this book:
The End of the World
As We Know It
Kayla Kruse
2025 Finalist
109 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Short Story/Novela

In The End of the World (As We Know It), author Kayla Kruse draws from her own extraordinary experiences to share some astonishing anecdotes from her life. Traumatized as a young teenager after being drugged and assaulted at a party she attended when she was fifteen, Kayla buried her past in the deep recesses of her mind until she met Cole, a young man with his own troubled past. Cole already suffered from heartbreak and, with Kayla, navigated a tumultuous relationship. Kayla eventually found her sexual awakening with Cole, and, as time passed, she learned more about him through her psychic downloads. After a hospital stay for a psychic episode, Kayla became convinced about an ongoing battle in the spiritual realms and received messages from the Holy Spirit. Through acceptance, she finally found her place in the world.
Part memoir and part spiritual guide, The End of the World (As We Know It) takes readers on an extraordinary journey of self-discovery of a young woman. The narrative starts as a tell-all memoir and slowly turns into a surreal spiritual odyssey by the midway point of the book. Kayla Kruse gives an unflinching account of her late teens to early twenties, including the highs and lows of her relationship with the love of her life, Cole, and his ex-girlfriend, Victoria. From reemerging on TikTok to share her stories to overcoming trauma and finding spiritual clarity, extraordinary events have always shaped the course of Kayla's life. The book is short but engages you from beginning to end. I recommend it to young adults as well as new adult readers on the cusp of stepping into the world on their own.
Recommend this book:
The Melody of Fire
A true story of spirituality, sexuality, and surrender
Jen Fields
2025 Gold Medal
444 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Spiritual/Supernatural

The Melody of Fire by Jen Fields is an inspiring memoir that had me turning the pages and asking earnest questions about the nature of love, belonging, and spirituality. The memoir recounts Jen’s journey from a rigid, fear-based religious upbringing to a liberated and authentic spiritual existence rooted in love, surrender, and self-discovery. The story traces her early years in a fundamentalist Baptist family, her struggles with sexual identity, her painful coming out, and the subsequent rejection by her church community and family. She begins to explore spirituality through unconventional avenues, such as psychic readings, dreams, and self-reflection. She gradually develops a more profound understanding of divine love beyond fear and judgment. The narrative culminates in her embracing her true self—an artist and singer—despite opposition from her loved ones and finding her map to spiritual fulfillment and authenticity.
This book inspired me in a way I never expected. The Melody of Fire prompted me to ask many questions, especially about how we treat people who are different from us. Jen Fields is resonant and relevant, especially in contemporary society, where people are discriminated against because of their sexuality. The author discusses spirituality, sexuality, surrender, and the pursuit of authentic self-love with such clarity that I felt as though I were listening to a friend share her experience and beliefs. She cleverly explores the conflicts between rigid religious doctrines and personal truth, underlining the profound impact of teachings that inspire fear. Her internal struggle with family rejection points to a broader conflict between conformity and self-acceptance. While the work is a memoir, it reads like a well-crafted novel, with an engaging dialogue and prose style. This book will instruct and inspire you.
Recommend this book:
The Stairway to Heaven
Nine Steps of Consciousness From Unawareness to Full Enlightenment
Tara Springett
2025 Honorable Mention
Kindle Edition
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Non-Fiction - Spiritual/Supernatural

Do you feel you've not lived up to what you've got to offer to the world? Drawing from her over 25 years of experience as a drug counselor, psychotherapist, and Buddhist meditation teacher, Tara Springett introduces the nine stages of consciousness to help readers realize their fullest potential. In The Stairway to Heaven, the author takes a deep dive into these nine stages and shows how to activate each stage of consciousness to find enlightenment, success, and fulfillment. The book provides case studies of people at various levels of consciousness as well as techniques to ascend to the higher levels. Readers will learn about personal and spiritual growth, key motivations, developments, and positive and negative traits at each stage of consciousness, the "true self," growing self-awareness, religious and spiritual beliefs, and meditation, among other concepts.
Tara Springett uses ancient Buddhist teachings and psychotherapy to explore the nine stages of consciousness and present an illuminating guide for self-development and spiritual and personal enlightenment. The Stairway to Heaven is your step-by-step guide to finding love, happiness, and fulfillment. Whether you're too busy to find time for yourself due to hectic work schedules or struggling to deal with the stress and anxiety of everyday life, this book is for you. Springett goes through each topic in vivid detail, which I found not only informative and educational but also very engaging. Each of the nine stages of consciousness is rooted in different aspects of human behavior at various phases of people's lives. This is a practical guide to living a fulfilling and spiritual life. I found it thoroughly engrossing and can't recommend it highly enough.
Recommend this book:
The Jamaican Bobsled Captain
Dudley “Tal” Stokes and the untold story of struggle, suffering and redemption behind Cool Runnings
Ben Stubenberg
2025 Silver Medal
276 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Sports

The Jamaican Bobsled Captain by Ben Stubenberg is the biography of Dudley "Tal" Stokes, the captain of the Jamaican bobsled team who led his squad to the 1988 Winter Olympics against all odds. Despite limited resources, minimal training, and a lack of familiarity with the sport, the team’s determination and resilience captured global attention. Tal’s leadership was deeply influenced by his upbringing in Jamaica, where he developed discipline and strength. The idea for a Jamaican bobsled team was born from the vision of George Fitch and William Maloney, who saw potential in Jamaica’s sprinting talent. With support from the Jamaican Tourist Board and other sponsors, the team persevered through challenges, from technical issues to public scrutiny. Their historic Olympic debut, though challenging, inspired millions and marked the beginning of the Jamaican bobsled team's lasting legacy in winter sports.
The Jamaican Bobsled Captain by Ben Stubenberg is possibly one of the most interesting books I've read in some time, especially as someone who knew so little about this complete underdog story that transcends sports. Stubenberg does well in laying bare the grit and determination of the team, highlighting both their triumphs and setbacks, and who Tal Stokes is as both a leader and a man. The writing is simple, straightforward, and often conversational, pulling a reader in with an effective balance of the highs and lows of their journey. The book also thoughtfully leans into issues about race and the juxtaposition of the response to the team from an international perspective and its impact on the people of Jamaica. Stubenberg’s book is a perfect fit for fans of sports biographies, who will find this a remarkable and uplifting read that shows the power of persistence against all odds.
Recommend this book:
The House Divided
The Story of the First Congressional Baseball Game
J B Manheim
2025 Honorable Mention
182 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Sports

The House Divided: The Story of the First Congressional Baseball Game by J.B. Manheim explores a little-known but significant moment in American political and sports history: the first Congressional Baseball Game in 1909. While often remembered today as a light-hearted, bipartisan event that raises money for charity, its origins are steeped in the tension and political drama of the time. Manheim uncovers how the game was not simply a leisure activity but a strategic tool amid an intense and corrupt debate over tariff reform, led by the powerful and controversial Speaker ‘Uncle Joe’ Cannon. The book paints a vivid portrait of an era when baseball and politics collided, revealing how the first pitch was more about strategy than sportsmanship.
Author J.B. Manheim takes readers into further detail on what seems, at first, to be just a pleasant historical footnote, but turns into a fascinating intersection of sports and politics that reveals the serious purpose behind a seemingly whimsical tradition. As an outsider to American history, it was interesting to see such a detailed deep dive into an area I’d never explored before. Manheim has a real sense of scale and impact of how small gestures and attitudes meant so much more than you’d initially imagine. The crisp and engaging prose style also makes historical events feel both relevant and riveting, animating a pivotal moment in U.S. legislative history through one of America’s classic sports with all the drama, action, and tension you’d expect from it. Overall, The House Divided is a highly recommended must-read for political history buffs and baseball fans from cover to cover.
Recommend this book:
Beyond the Darkness
Transformative Journeys Through Dark Tourism
Dr. Chad Scott
2025 Finalist
Kindle Edition
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Non-Fiction - Travel

Beyond the Darkness by Dr. Chad Scott is a powerful and personal journey through the world of dark tourism. We find ourselves visiting historical sites of tragedy, atrocity, and human suffering in this bizarre but intriguing hobby. From Auschwitz and the Paris Catacombs to Ground Zero, Dr. Scott blends memoir, travelogue, and philosophical inquiry to explore how such spaces shape our understanding of grief, mortality, and human resilience. Through immersive storytelling and psychological insight, he challenges readers to see these experiences not as morbid curiosities but as profound opportunities for empathy and transformation. This is not just a travel book but a compelling guide to confronting life’s hardest truths with compassion, clarity, and courage.
Author Chad Scott smoothly brings readers into an unusual world that they may never have thought about before, let alone encountered. His enthusiasm for the subject matter offers a transformative take on travel writing that goes far beyond pretty postcards and scenic photo ops. One of the things I enjoyed most was the honesty and vulnerability that its author shows throughout, as he offers a rare and courageous blend of scholarship and insight that never loses sight of the human cost at the heart of these iconic and memorable places. This is a book that stays with you, reshaping your perspective on history, healing, and humanity, and it’s one that’s made me think about the kinds of places I might visit on my next travels and how I’ll perceive them in the future. Thanks to Scott’s confident and engaging writing style, nothing ever feels sensationalized or unnecessarily morbid, which is certainly welcome when reading about these subjects. Overall, Beyond the Darkness is a highly recommended must-read for fans of meaningful travel writing and reflective memoirs.
Recommend this book:
Beyond the Green Widow
Consequences of the Piney Woods Creek Murders of 1921
Juanita Green Hollinghead, Sherye S Green
2025 Finalist
251 Pages
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Non-Fiction - True Crime

Beyond the Green Widow: Consequences of the Piney Woods Creek Murders of 1921 by Juanita Green Hollinghead traces the history of the Green family, starting with James Matthew Green, an Irish immigrant who settled in Mississippi in the late 1700s. His descendants included Jake Green, a sheriff and Prohibition agent killed in a 1921 gunfight with moonshiners. The incident sparked national attention and led to a high-profile trial where several individuals were convicted of the murders of Green and his partner, Lawrence Dunnam. The family’s story is later explored by Hollinghead, who uncovers details about her grandfather's death and the family's legacy. In 2021, she secured a historical marker and a highway sign in honor of the fallen officers, culminating in her grandfather’s inclusion in the Mississippi Fallen Officers Memorial.
Beyond the Green Widow by Juanita Green Hollinghead is a meticulously researched and concisely represented family biography. Hollinghead’s dedication to uncovering her family’s history is both impressive and inspiring as she digs deep into the past, collecting forgotten documents and piecing together fragmented stories. The writing is clear and straightforward, and as a reader who is not American, I found the lives of her ancestors to be a fantastic vehicle to the broader historical context of Prohibition-era America. Hollinghead’s devotion to her grandfather’s legacy is apparent, and her careful details of the people and events surrounding Green and Dunnam's deaths give the book a powerful, investigative feel. More than just a family memoir, the work serves as a valuable time capsule, ensuring the Green family's story is preserved for future generations. Overall, Beyond the Green Widow is perfect for those who love a personal lean into historical non-fiction. Recommended.
Recommend this book:
The Full Catastrophe
All I Ever Wanted, Everything I Feared
Casey Mulligan Walsh
2025 Gold Medal
337 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Womens

The Full Catastrophe is a thought-provoking and deeply emotional memoir penned by Casey Mulligan Walsh. At the tender age of 12, the author becomes an orphan and is raised by relatives while struggling to find her place in the world. When her brother, Tommy, dies of a heart attack, Walsh's heightened grief prompts her to get married and start a family to fill her emotional void. She becomes driven to give unconditional love to a family of her own, the thing she desires the most. Unfortunately, her husband's erratic behavior results in the end of their marriage, which affects her children's mental well-being and results in her in-laws withdrawing their emotional support. When her son, Eric, dies in a car accident, Walsh has to once again rely on her inner strength to survive this terrifying ordeal and overwhelming grief. Her inspirational journey is one of self-acceptance and self-growth.
The Full Catastrophe by Casey Mulligan Walsh is a story of inconceivable grief, vulnerability, and inner transformation. Written in gripping prose (and sprinkled with humor), this narrative will grasp the attention of readers from the very first words. The author's candid exploration of family, grief, marriage, motherhood, self-identity, resilience, and personal growth will become ingrained in your heart and mind even after you've finished reading her book. Walsh’s journey is both heart-rending and healing at the same time. It beautifully demonstrates that life can still yield blessings, even amidst the tragic moments we endure through it all. The author masterfully depicts each emotional moment of her life free from resentment and anger. Her compassion for others, reverence for life, and immense spiritual maturity are evident in each harrowing moment. Through the power of faith, hope, and genuine support, Walsh transforms her life into one that mirrors peace, joy, and meaningful living. For readers navigating many treacherous ups and downs in their own lives--especially during a period of bereavement--this memoir is unquestionably an essential read that I highly recommend.
Recommend this book:
Staying Married is the Hardest Part
A Memoir of Passion, Secrets & Sacrifice
Bonnie Comfort
2025 Finalist
312 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Womens

Staying Married Is the Hardest Part is an honest and intimate story about love, marriage, and self-discovery. Bonnie Comfort explores the elements that gradually strengthen a marriage as she recounts the highs and lows of a long-term partnership. The author explores the painful aspects of a relationship by describing the moments of intense connection, miscommunications, and painful realizations that come with being committed to someone else. Intertwined with her personal development and changing life circumstances in the background, Comfort's memoir becomes a candid picture of how love evolves, challenges are faced, and partners work out their desires and limitations. This lyrical and honest narrative, full of psychological observations, allows the reader to observe their marriage and the delicate balance between self-preservation and love.
Bonnie Comfort writes with skill, full of deeply felt insights and imaginative details that clothe her experiences in reality. The pace of the memoir allows the reader to fully enter the realm of tender moments, conflict, and revelation. Her ability to capture the emotional nuances of marriage makes the book deeply relatable, while her honest and unfiltered voice adds authenticity to every page. The conflict between honesty and love, strength and vulnerability makes this memoir wonderfully stimulating and completely human. As I was reading, I thought back to my sister's marital difficulties and how she handled them with poise and fortitude. Staying Married Is The Hardest Part is a fascinating book for anyone who has ever navigated the perilous landscape of love and commitment.
Recommend this book:
The Profitable Author
1,001 Ways to Build a Business You Love Around Your Books
Sharon Woodhouse
2025 Gold Medal
508 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Writing/Publishing

The Profitable Author: 1,001 Ways to Build a Business You Love Around Your Books by Sharon Woodhouse is a practical and motivational guide for writers who want to turn their books into a steady, fulfilling source of income. The book doesn’t just focus on writing itself—it’s about what comes next. It teaches authors how to treat their writing like a real business by sharing tested advice on marketing, selling, managing time, creating multiple income streams, and building a life they enjoy around their books. Whether you’re self-published, traditionally published, or just starting, the book offers ideas on how to take small, daily steps to reach bigger goals. With tips on events, partnerships, merchandise, services, social media, and even mindset, Woodhouse helps authors customize a plan that fits their strengths, lifestyle, and values. This is not a “get rich quick” manual but a long-term guide to making writing work financially and personally.
Sharon Woodhouse’s writing is clear, friendly, and energetic. Her advice feels personal and authentic, drawn from years of experience in publishing and business coaching. The narrative structure is organized into themes like sales, marketing, productivity, and mindset, making it easy to use as a reference or read straight through. The tone is encouraging, and I liked how she emphasizes building a business that fits your life, not someone else’s idea of success. Her “do five things a day” tip stuck with me—it’s simple but powerful. The Profitable Author made me feel excited, not overwhelmed, about taking control of my author journey. It’s full of useful tools and motivation, especially for writers like me who want freedom, income, and purpose from their books.