We’re excited to announce the 2018 Living Now medalists! These outstanding books represent the best in lifestyle publishing, helping readers lead healthier, more fulfilling, and sustainable lives.
From wellness and fitness to cooking and personal growth, this year’s medalists showcase the innovation of creators dedicated to books for better living. Congratulations to all the 2018 medalists for their inspiring work!
BOOKS OF THE YEAR
GENERAL CATEGORIES:
1. Cookbooks – General | 2. Cookbooks – Natural, Nutrition, Organic, Vegetarian | 3. Cookbooks – Ethnic, Holiday, Specialty | 4. Crafts/Hobbies/Collecting/Coloring Books | 5. Gift/Specialty | 6. Journal/Planner/Calendar | 7. Animals/Pets | 8. Green Living – Alternative Energy, Conservation, Gardening, etc. | 9. Family/Parenting | 10. Social Activism/Charity | 11. Personal Growth – Self-Help | 12. Motivation – Practical Self-Improvement | 13. Sexuality/Femininity | 14. Relationships/Marriage | 15. Inspirational Memoir – Male | 16. Inspirational Memoir – Female | 17. Enlightenment/Spirituality | 18. Metaphysical – Astrology, Tarot, Psychic Development | 19. Exercise/Fitness/Yoga | 20. Health/Wellness | 21. Meditation/Relaxation | 22. Healing Arts/Bodywork/Energy Techniques | 23. Caregiving | 24. Mature Living/Aging | 25. Grieving/Death & Dying | 26. Inspirational Fiction | 27. Adventure Fiction | 28. Children’s Picture Book | 29. Children’s Non-Fiction
EVERGREEN CATEGORIES:
World Peace | Health & Wellness | Personal Growth | Spiritual Leadership | Nature Conservation
BOOKS OF THE YEAR
MIND
The Comet’s Tail: A Memoir of No Memory, by Amy Nawrocki (Homebound Publications)
BODY
This Is My Body: Embracing the Messiness of Faith and Motherhood, by Hannah Shanks (Fresh Air Books)
SPIRIT
I’ve Decided to Live 120 Years: The Ancient Secret to Longevity, Vitality, and Life Transformation, by Ilchi Lee (Best Life Media)
GENERAL CATEGORIES
1. Cookbooks - General
GOLD
So Much to Celebrate: Entertaining the Ones You Love the Whole Year Through, by Katie Jacobs; principal photography by Amy Cherry (Thomas Nelson)
Silver
Old Farm Country Cookbook: Recipes, Menus, and Memories, by Jerry Apps & Susan Apps-Bodilly (Wisconsin Historical Society Press)
Bronze
Wow! My Cuban American Recipes and Stories, by Teresita Shelton (Self-Published)
2. Cookbooks - Natural, Nutrition, Organic, Vegetarian
GOLD
Cooking from Scratch: 120 Recipes for Colorful, Seasonal Food from PCC Community Markets, by PCC Community Markets with Jill Lightner; photography by Charity Burggraaf (Sasquatch Books)
Silver
Eat Your Feelings: The Food Mood Girl’s Guide to Transforming your Emotional Eating, with Recipes!, by Lindsey Smith; photography by Sarah Van Tassel (St Martin’s Press)
Bronze
Allergy Hospitality: 65 Familiar Recipes Every Guest can Eat and Enjoy!, by Margaret Dyck Schmitt (Irish Canyon Press)
3. Cookbooks – Ethnic, Holiday, Specialty
GOLD
AKVAVIT: Rediscovering a Nordic Spirit, by Sune Risum-Urth & Rasmus Poulsgaard (Two Guys Publishing)
Bronze
Successful Cheesemaking®: Step-by-Step Directions & Photos for Making Nearly Every Type of Cheese, Vol 1 and 2, by Merryl Winstein (Smooth Stone Publishing)
4. Crafts/Hobbies/Collecting/Coloring Books
GOLD
Enchanting Mandala Mazes: Puzzles to Ponder and Solve, by Elizabeth Carpenter with Aurélie Ronfaut (Get Creative 6)
Silver (tie)
Inkspirations™ Mindful Living: Creative Coloring to Relax, Recharge, and Renew, by Judy Clement Wall (AARP)
Bronze
Praying with Mandalas: A Colorful, Contemplative Practice, by Sharon Seyfarth Garner (Upper Room Books)
5. Gift/Specialty
Silver
In Case Nobody Told You: Passages of Wisdom and Encouragement, by Emily Maroutian (CreateSpace)
Bronze
Come to the Lake: Reflections on a Cottage Life, by Anne Goodwin (Pleasurable Pause Press)
6. Journal/Planner/Calendar
Silver
Write. Open. Act: An Intentional Life Planning Workbook, by Lee Weinstein (Intentional Life Planning)
Bronze
Porcelain Prompts: Creating Characters, by Melissa Koons & Thomas A. Fowler (Spine Press & Post)
7. Animals/Pets
GOLD
The Pet Healer Project: Stories of the Healing Bond Between Humans and Animals, by Sandy Johnson (Top Reads Publishing)
Silver
Posh Celebrations: Whimsical Themed Parties to Celebrate Your Pet, by Susan Rogers (Properly Posh Publications)
Bronze
An Army of Ants, A Colony of Bats, A Pounce of Cats, by Dr. Sherry L. Meinberg (Author House)
8. green living - alternative energy, conservation, gardening, etc.
GOLD
The Colorful Dry Garden: Over 100 Flowers and Vibrant Plants for Drought, Desert & Dry Times, by Maureen Gilmer (Sasquatch Books)
Bronze
Our Earth, Our Species, Our Selves: How to Thrive While Creating a Sustainable World, by Ellen Moyer (Greenvironment Press)
9. Family/Parenting
GOLD
The Parent Gap: Tools to Keep Your Cool, Stay Connected, & Change Unhealthy Patterns, by Randi Rubenstein (Morgan James Publishing)
Silver
Uniquely Normal: Tapping the Reservoir of Normalcy to Treat Autism, by Robert J. Bernstein with Robin Cantor-Cooke (Future Horizons)
Bronze
The Co-Parenting Handbook: Raising Well-Adjusted and Resilient Kids from Little Ones to Young Adults through Divorce or Separation, by Karen Bonnell with Kristin Little (Sasquatch Books)
10. Social Activism/Charity
GOLD
How to Help Someone with Cancer: 70 Ways to Help Cancer Patients and Their Families During Cancer Treatment, by Shannon Benish (Rebel Redd Books)
Silver
A String of Pearls: Inspiring Stories of How Rotary Peace Fellows are Serving Humanity and Changing the World, by David C. Forward (ReachForward Publishing Group)
Bronze
Live Ablaze: And Light Up the World, by Sarah Davison-Tracy (Ignite Publishers)
11. personal growth - self-help
GOLD
Elevate: An Essential Guide to Life, by Joseph Deitch (Greenleaf Book Group Press)
Silver (tie)
The Book of Calm: Clarity, Compassion, and Choice in a Turbulent World, by Nancy G. Shapiro (She Writes Press)
Silver (tie)
Writing for Bliss: A Seven-Step Plan for Telling Your Story and Transforming Your Life, by Diana Raab, PhD (Loving Healing Press)
Bronze
Done With the Crying: Help and Healing for Mothers of Estranged Adult Children, by Sheri McGregor, M.A. (Sowing Creek Press)
12. motivation - practical self-improvement
GOLD (tie)
New Minimalism: Decluttering and Design for Sustainable, Intentional Living, by Cary Telander Fortin & Kyle Louise Quilici (Sasquatch Books)
GOLD (tie)
A Simplified Life: Tactical Tools for Intentional Living, by Emily Ley (Thomas Nelson)
Silver
Lifting People Up: The Power of Recognition, by Susan Smith Kuczmarski, Ed.D. and Thomas D. Kuczmarski (Book Ends Publishing)
Bronze
Freeing Your Radical Hero: Fighting the Impostor Mindset, by Lou Solomon (Interact Skills)
13. Sexuality/Femininity
GOLD
The Round World: Life at the Intersection of Love, Sex, and Fat, by Dan Oliverio (The Antrobus Group)
Silver
Womb Awakening: Initiatory Wisdom from the Creatrix of All Life, by Azra Bertrand, MD & Seren Bertrand (Bear & Company)
Bronze
The New Old Maid: Satisfied Single Women, by Maureen Paraventi (Chatter House Press)
14. Relationships/Marriage
GOLD
The Buddha at my Table: How I Found Peace in Betrayal and Divorce, by Tammy Letherer (She Writes Press)
Silver
So You Love an Alcoholic?: Lessons for a Codependent, by Grace W. Wroldson (Balboa Press)
Bronze
Rock Paper Scissors: Scenes from a Charmed Divorce, by Cathia Leonard Friou (SPARK Publications)
15. inspirational memoir - male
GOLD
A Chicken in the Wind and How He Grew: Stories From an ADHD Dad, by Frank South (Rattlesnake Publishing)
Silver
New Life Hiking Spa’s 40 Years of Authentic Wellness, by Jimmy LeSage, M.S. (New Life Hiking Spa)
Bronze
Mind on Fire: A Case of Successful Addiction Recovery, by Philip Muls (Self-Published)
16. Inspirational Memoir – FeMale
Silver
Saving Bobby: Heroes and Heroin in One Small Community, by Renee Hodges (She Writes Press)
Bronze (tie)
Confessions of a Bone Woman: Realizing Authentic Wildness in a Civilized World, by Lucinda Bakken White (Wild Woman Books)
Bronze (tie)
You Can’t Buy Love Like That: Growing Up Gay in the Sixties, by Carol E. Anderson (She Writes Press)
17. Enlightenment/Spirituality
GOLD
From Anxiety to Love: A Radical New Approach for Letting Go of Fear and Finding Lasting Peace, by Corinne Zupko (New World Library)
Silver
Bronze
18. metaphysical - astrology, tarot, psychic development
GOLD
Rainbow Warrior Activation Deck, by Tracee Dunblazier & Justine Serebrin (GoTracee Publishing)
Silver
Seeds of Light: Channeled Transmissions on the Christ Consciousness, by Patrick Paul Garlinger (Anastasis Books)
Bronze
House Clearing: A Smudging & Energy Work Guide, by Karen Bernabo (Self-Published)
19. Exercise/Fitness/Yoga
GOLD
Taking Flight for Girls Going Places: A Preventive Tool to Help Keep Independence-Bound Girls Safe, Empowered, & Free, by Kathy Greene Lahey (Self-Published)
Silver
Birth in Awareness: A Handbook of Prenatal Yoga, by Gabrielle Earls (Self-Published)
Bronze
Flight of the Butterfly: Understanding Aerial Silks, by Alana Hope Josephson (Self-Published)
20. Health/Wellness
GOLD
Food Sanity: How to Eat in a World of Fads and Fiction, by Dr. David Friedman (Basic Health Publications)
Silver
Healing Happens: Stories of Healing Against All Odds, by Avital Miller (APG Publishing)
Bronze
30 Days to Thriving: Practical Inspiration for Reclaiming Your Hope & Health, by Jennifer Zimmer (Golden Pen Media)
21. Meditation/Relaxation
GOLD
Thirty-Three Breaths: A Little Book on Meditation, by Rev. John J. Lombardi (Cathedral Foundation Press)
Silver
Words of Life: Messages for a Path to Inner Peace, by T. L. Montgomery (Inkwater Press)
Bronze
Chinese Spiritual Thoughts: Healing the Soul With the Tao Te Ching, by Kevin M. Thomas (KETNA Publishing)
22. Healing Arts/Bodywork/Energy Techniques
GOLD
Discovering the Healer Within: Use Chakras & Intuition to Clear Negativity & Release Pain, by Anysia Marcell Kiel (Llewellyn Publications)
Silver
Beads of Healing: Prayer, Trauma, and Spiritual Wholeness, by Kristen E. Vincent (Upper Room Books)
Bronze
My Little Black Book of Qi: Qi YINtegration: Set 1, by Michelle B Waines Greenwell (Waines Publishing)
23. Caregiving
GOLD
Creating a Rich & Meaningful Life in Long-Term Care: A Guide for Family Caregivers and Elder Care Professionals, by Mary Ann Konarzewski (Apocryphile Press)
Silver
Artichokes & Grace: Getting to the Heart of Aging With our Aging Parents & Within Ourselves, by Kristen Falde Smith (Smith Family Publishing House)
Bronze
Dementia: From the Wrong End of the Bed, by DeeDee Richardson & Sheryl Bagshaw (Self-Published)
24. Mature Living/Aging
GOLD
Ageless Soul: The Lifelong Journey Toward Meaning and Joy, by Thomas Moore (St Martin’s Press)
Silver
Get the Most Out of Retirement: Checklist for Happiness, Health, Purpose, and Financial Security, by Sally Balch Hurme (AARP)
Bronze
Social Security for Dummies, 3rd Edition, by Jonathan Peterson (John Wiley & Sons)
25. Grieving/Death & Dying
GOLD
The Unspeakable Loss: How Do You Live After a Child Dies?, by Nisha Zenoff, PhD (Da Capo Lifelong Books)
Silver
Prayer Is Good: A Path From Grief to Peace, by Brette Petway (Prayer Is Good, LLC/ABC Book Publishers)
Bronze
An Essential Song, by Amy R. Saltz; illustrated by Mike T. Cherry (CreateSpace)
26. inspirational fiction
27. adventure fiction
Bronze
The Collapsing Kingdom, by Benjamin Ellefson; illustrated by Kevin Cannon (Beaver’s Pond Press)
28. children’s picture book
GOLD
Mindful Owl Adventures, by Annie Ranger; Illustrated by Anna Abramskaya (Four Oaks Press)
Silver
Tree’s Song (for Jenni), by Janet Jai; Illustrated by Maria Cherkasskaya (Vision and Values)
Bronze
I’m Not a Scaredy-Cat: A Prayer for When You Wish You Were Brave, by Max Lucado; Illustrated by Shirley Ng-Benitez (HarperCollins Christian Publishing)
29. children’s non-fiction
GOLD
The White House Easter Egg Roll: A History for All Ages, by Jonathan Pliska; Illustrated by John Hutton (The White House Historical Association)
Silver
Boys' Moods Matter: Overcoming My Struggle with Depression, by Joseph Lou (Self-Published)
Bronze
Pollinating Your Toolbox, by Jane Sheffer; Illustrated by Duff Lueder (Growing Senses Publications)
EVERGREEN CATEGORIES
To commemorate world-changing books published in this new millennium, we launched the Living Now Evergreen Book Medals. The medals are presented in five categories, recognizing books published since the year 2000 for their contributions to positive global change.
World Peace
GOLD
Diplomacy and Friendship: Ambassador’s Wife in Gulf War Riyadh, a Memoir, by Nora Hazelwood Lever (Words Indeed Publishing)
Silver
Opening the Gates of the Heart: A Journey of Healing, by Carolyn CJ Jones (Gate Lady Publishing)
Health & Wellness
GOLD
Never Give Up: Break the Connection Between Stress and Illness, by Alexis Acker-Halbur (CreateSpace/KDP)
Bronze
The New Body Type: Get Healthy, Lose Weight, & Feel Great, by Eric Berg, D.C. (KB Publishing)
Personal Growth
GOLD
The Go-Giver Influencer: A Little Story About a Most Persuasive Idea, by Bob Burg and John David Mann (Penguin Random House)
Silver
Discovering Michael: An Inspirational Guide to Personal Growth & Self Discovery, by Michael James (Balboa Press)
Bronze
Weaving Myself Awake: Voicing the Sacred Through Poetry, by Gail Warner (She Writes Press)
Spiritual Leadership
GOLD
For Sabbath’s Sake: Embracing Your Need for Rest, Worship, and Community, by J. Dana Trent (Upper Room Books)
Silver
Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence, by Sarah Young (HarperCollins Christian Publishing)
Bronze
Pick it Up!: Chan Stories to Inspire, by Venerable Master Hsing Yun (Buddha’s Light Publications)
Nature Conservation
GOLD
The Green Amendment: Securing Our Right to a Healthy Environment, by Maya K. Van Rossum (Disruption Books)
Silver
Pushing Our Limits: Insights From Biosphere 2, by Mark Nelson (University of Arizona Press)
Bronze
Deep Nature Play: A Guide to Wholeness, Aliveness, Creativity, and Inspired Learning, by Joseph Bharat Cornell (Crystal Clarity Publishers)
