We’re excited to announce the 2019 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 2019 medalists for their inspiring work!
BOOKS OF THE YEAR
GENERAL CATEGORIES:
1. Cookbooks – Natural, Nutrition, Organic, Vegetarian | 2. Cookbooks – Ethnic, Holiday, Specialty | 3. Gift / Specialty | 4. Journal / Planner / Calendar | 5. Animals / Pets | 6. Green Living – Alternative Energy, Conservation, Gardening, etc. | 7. Family / Parenting | 8. Social Activism / Charity | 9. Personal Growth – Self-Help | 10. Motivation – Practical Self-Improvement | 11. Sexuality / Femininity | 12. Relationships / Marriage | 13. Inspirational Memoir – Male | 14. Inspirational Memoir – Female | 15. Enlightenment / Spirituality | 16. Metaphysical – Astrology, Tarot, Psychic Development | 17. Exercise / Fitness / Yoga | 18. Health / Wellness | 19. Meditation / Relaxation | 20. Healing Arts / Bodywork / Energy Techniques | 21. Caregiving | 22. Mature Living / Aging | 23. Grieving / Death & Dying | 24. Inspirational Fiction | 25. Adventure Fiction | 26. Children’s Picture Book
EVERGREEN CATEGORIES:
World Peace | Health & Wellness | Personal Growth | Spiritual Leadership | Nature Conservation
BOOKS OF THE YEAR
MIND
Grateful: The Transformative Power of Giving Thanks
by Diana Butler Bass
(Harper One)
BODY
Squeaky Wheels: Travels with My Daughter by Train, Plane, Metro, Tuk-tuk and Wheelchair
by Suzanne Kamata
(Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing)
SPIRIT
A Counting of Crows: A Memory Journal for Women Elders
written and illustrated by Betsy Kuhn
ACTION
A Politics of Love: A Handbook for a New American Revolution
by Marianne Williamson
(HarperOne)
GENERAL CATEGORIES
1. Cookbooks - Natural, Nutrition, Organic, Vegetarian
GOLD
Sacred & Delicious: A Modern Ayurvedic Cookbook
by Lisa Joy Mitchell
(She Writes Press)
Silver
Jazzy Vegetarian’s Deliciously Vegan: Plant-Powered Recipes for the Modern, Mindful Kitchen
by Laura Theodore
(Scribe Publishing Company)
Bronze
The Green Aisle's Healthy Juicing: 100 Recipes for a Lighter, Stronger, and More Vibrant You
by Michelle Savage
(Skyhorse)
2. Cookbooks – Ethnic, Holiday, Specialty
GOLD
On the Hummus Route
by Ariel Rosenthal, Orly Peli-Bronshtein, and Dan Alexander
(Magica)
Silver
Gnocchi Solo Gnocchi: A Comprehensive Tribute to Italy’s Other Favorite First Course
by Christine Y Hickman
(Sono Marcella)
Bronze
Breads & Spreads
by Sheree Rose Kelley
(The Nautilus Publishing Company)
3. Gift/Specialty
GOLD
Walking the Heart Path: Bite-Sized Bits of Wisdom on Living & Leading from the Inside Out
by Sharon E. Reed
(Heart By Design)
Silver
Heart & Home: Design Basics for Your Soul and Living Space
by Victoria Duerstock
(Abingdon Press)
Bronze
Destined for Change
by Lois Werth Mimbs
(Frontline Press)
4. Journal/Planner/Calendar
GOLD
Downsizing the Family Home: A Workbook: What to Save, What to Let Go
by Marni Jameson
(AARP)
Silver
Beach Calling: A Devotional Journal for the Middle Years and Beyond
by Missy Buchanan
(Upper Room Books)
Bronze
Writing Your Life: The Ultimate Guide to Telling Your Story
by Ann Hamer
(Self Published)
5. Animals/Pets
GOLD
A Day Walking in my Paws: The Wonderful Lives of French Bulldogs
by Michele Copen
(Design Boutique)
Silver
Hug Tails: Portraits of Therapy Pets
by Barbara Brady-Smith
(Share the Joy Photography)
Bronze
Mini Horses, Mighty Hearts: Rootbeer & Edward
by Rene Townsend
(O’Barke Press)
6. Green Living - Alternative Energy, Conservation, Gardening, etc.
GOLD
Clean Mama’s Guide to a Healthy Home: The Simple, Room-by-Room Plan for a Natural Home
by Becky Rapinchuk
(HarperOne)
Silver
Save the Planet: An Amazonian Tribal Leader Fights for his People, the Rainforest, and the Earth
by Almir Narayamoga Suruí and Corine Sombrun; translated by Julia Grawemeyer
(Schaffner Press)
Bronze
Welcome to BibleWorld
by Mike Nappa, illustrated by Emilano Migliardo
(The Good Book Company)
7. Family / Parenting
GOLD
Miracle on the Camino
by Kelle Ortiz
(Apollon Enterprises)
Silver (tie)
Roots and Wings: Childhood Needs a Revolution
by Alex Koster, M.Ed.
(Roots & Wings Publishing)
Silver (tie)
The Grandma Force: How Grandmothers are Changing Grandchildren, Families, and Themselves
by Harriet Hodgson, BS, MA
(WriteLife Publishing)
Bronze
The Earth Angels: A Documentary about Specially-abled Children
by Karen Nicksich & Miguel Juarez; photography by Scott Butner
(Self-Published)
8. Social Activism / Charity
GOLD (tie)
Activist Alphabet
by Donna Sinclair
(Wood Lake Publishing)
GOLD (tie)
The Sustainable Endowment: 10 Principles to Make Your Foundation or Nonprofit Last for Decades
by James E. Demmert
(New Insights Press)
Silver
Go, and Do the Same: Schooling a New Generation for Haiti
by Rodrigue Mortel, M.D.
(Cathedral Foundation Press)
Bronze
Over the Peanut Fence: Fun. Until it Isn’t.
by Marilynne Eichinger
(MEZR Press)
9. Personal Growth - Self-Help
GOLD
The Gift of Recovery: 52 Mindful Ways to Live Joyfully Beyond Addiction
by Rebecca E. Williams, PhD and Julie S. Kraft, MA, LMFT
(New Harbinger Publications)
Silver
Millenneagram: The Enneagram Guide for Discovering Your Truest, Baddest Self
by Hannah Paasch
(HarperOne)
Bronze
Rescript: The Story You’re Telling Yourself
by Dr. Colleen Georges
(Author Academy Elite)
10. Motivation - Practical Self-Improvement
GOLD
The Success Lie: 5 Simple Truths to Overcome Overwhelm and Achieve Peace of Mind
by Janelle Bruland
(Made for Success Publishing)
Silver
Stop Doing That Sh*t: End Self-Sabotage and Demand Your Life Back
by Gary John Bishop
(HarperOne)
Bronze
Developing the Conscious Leadership Mindset for the 21st Century
by Jeffrey S. Deckman
(Capability Accelerators)
11. Sexuality / Femininity
GOLD
I Am More Than My Hair: My Outward Appearance Does Not Define Me
by Alyscia Cunningham
(AC Media)
Silver
Do You Have Kids? Life When the Answer is No
by Kate Kaufmann
(She Writes Press)
Bronze
Mission Vigilant: A Mother’s Crusade to Stem the Tide of Veteran Suicide
by Susan Cleland with Sherye S. Green
(Valor Publishers)
12. Relationships / Marriage
GOLD
Married to Mr Nasty: Why Your Partner is Making You Miserable and What You Need to Do to Get Your Life Back on Track
by Dr Annie Kaszina
(Virtual Precision)
Silver
Finding Our She-Compass: 15 Life Lessons for Women Voyaging Toward Restoration, Reconstruction, and Renewal
by Helen Owens
(Self-Published via Createspace)
Bronze
A Letter to a Friend: The Story of Abuse in America
by Patty Wain Smith
(New Words Publishing)
13. Inspirational Memoir - Male
GOLD
Your Heart, My Hands: An Immigrant’s Remarkable Journey to Become One of America’s Preeminent Cardiac Surgeons
by Arun K. Singh, MD with John Hanc
(Center Street)
SILVER (tie)
Rooted in Peace: An Inspiring Story of Finding Peace Within
by Greg Reitman
(Llewellyn Publications)
Silver (tie)
A Tortuous Path: Atonement and Reinvention in a Broken System
by Christopher E. Pelloski, MD
(Self-Published)
Bronze
Wise Millennial: A Field Guide to Thriving in Modern Life
by Peter Noble Darrow
(Happy Wellness Inc)
14. Inspirational Memoir - Female
GOLD (tie)
Straining Forward: One Woman’s Journey from Oppression to Redemption in the Wake of the Vietnam War, Minh Phuong Towner’s Story
by Michelle Layer Rahal
(Xulon Press)
GOLD (tie)
Not a Poster Child: Living Well with a Disability—A Memoir
by Francine Falk-Allen
(She Writes Press)
Silver
Fixing the Fates: An Adoptee’s Story of Truth and Lies
by Diane Dewey
(She Writes Press)
Bronze
Among the Maasai: A Memoir
by Juliet Cutler
(She Writes Press)
15. Enlightenment / Spirituality
GOLD
The Way of Effortless Mindfulness: A Revolutionary Guide for Living an Awakened Life
by Loch Kelly
(Sounds True)
Silver
Just Be: Transform Your Life and Live as Infinity
by Suresh Ramaswamy
(Lucid Field)
Bronze
Power for Life: Inspirational Guidance for Daily Living
by David Preston Sharp
(Wood Lake Publishing)
16. Metaphysical - Astrology, Tarot, Psychic Development
GOLD
The Shaman’s Guide to Power Animals
by Lori Morrison
(Four Jaguars Press)
Silver
In Search of Lost Lives: Desire, Sanskaras, and the Evolution of a Mind&Soul
by Michael Goddart
(Clear Path Press)
Bronze
Dreams: The Missing Text
by Ari Stone aka Alyssa Montalbano
(Self-Published)
17. Exercise / Fitness / Yoga
GOLD
Walking Gone Wild: How to Lose Your Age on the Trail
by Dami Roelse
(Fuze Publishing)
Silver
End Dieting Hell: How to Find Peace with Your Body and Release the Weight
by Michelle Melendez
(Women Being Fit)
Bronze
108 Yoga and Self-Care Practices for Busy Mamas
by Julie M. Gentile
(MSI Press)
18. Health / Wellness
GOLD
The Quest for Wellness: A Practical & Personal Wellness Plan for Optimum Health in Your Body, Mind, Emotions & Spirit
by Mark Sherwood, ND with Michele Neil-Sherwood, DO
(Emerge Publishing)
Silver
Fork Your Diet: Master the 4 Fundamentals of Good Health
by Michele Neil-Sherwood, DO & Mark Sherwood
(Franklin Green Publishing)
Bronze
EAT Less: The Easiest Way to Lose Weight and Keep it off for Life
by Jeremy & Georgina Jackson-Sytner, with Elizabeth Scott-Moncrieff, MSC
(Urbane Publishing)
19. Meditation / Relaxation
GOLD
God Isn’t Finished With Me Yet: Discovering the Spiritual Graces of Later Life
by Barbara Lee
(Loyola Press)
Silver
Connect: How to Find Clarity and Expand Your Consciousness with Pineal Gland Meditation
by Ilchi Lee
(Best Life Media)
Bronze
Wisdom & Virtue: The Tao Te Ching Decoded and Paraphrased
by Kevin M. Thomas
(KETNA Publishing)
20. Healing Arts / Bodywork / Energy Techniques
GOLD
Healing with Spiritual Practices: Proven Techniques for Disorders from Addictions and Anxiety to Cancer and Chronic Pain
edited by Thomas G. Plante, PhD, ABPR
(Praeger)
Silver
The Transformational Power of Sound & Music: A Handbook for Sound Healers and Musicians
by Flicka Rahn, M.M.ED., M.SC. and Tammy McCrary
(Life in 432 Publishing)
Bronze
The Conscious Whole
by William T. Kenny
(Circle of Friends Press)
21. Caregiving
GOLD
Memories in Dragonflies: Simple Lessons for Mindful Dying
by Lannette Cornell Bloom
(She Writes Press)
Silver
What to Eat During Cancer Treatment
by Jeanee Besser and Barbara L. Grant, MS, RDN, CSO with the American Cancer Society
(American Cancer Society)
Bronze
Caregiver You Are Not Alone
by Bobbi Carducci
(S & H Publishing)
22. Mature Living / Aging
GOLD
Better with Age: The Psychology of Successful Aging
by Alan D. Castel, PhD
(Oxford University Press)
Silver
Love Your Age: The Small-Step Solution to a Better, Longer, Happier Life
by Barbara Hannah Grufferman
(AARP/National Geographic)
Bronze
Navigating Your Later Years For Dummies
by Carol Levine
(AARP/Wiley)
23. Grieving / Death & Dying
GOLD
A to Z Healing Toolbox: A Practical Guide for Navigating Grief and Trauma with Intention
by Susan Hannifin-MacNab
(Wise Ink Creative Publishing)
Silver
Memories in Dragonflies: Simple Lessons for Mindful Dying
by Lannette Cornell Bloom
(She Writes Press)
Bronze
Terminal: Nonfiction Words that Read Like Fiction
by Sandra Gunn and 43 Stage 4 Breast Cancer Collaborators Club
(LESLIE'S WEEK)
24. Inspirational Fiction
GOLD
Warrior Won
by Meryl Davids Landau
(Alignment Publishing)
Silver
Bella Toscana
by Nanette Littlestone
(Words of Passion)
Bronze
The Encouragement Letters: The Story of a Father’s Legacy and a Boy’s Hope for a Better Future
by Shanna Spence
(Book Liftoff)
25. Adventure Fiction
GOLD
Spark
by Patricia Leavy
(The Guilford Press)
Silver
The Cage Fighter
by Paul Burton Greenbaum
(Self-Published)
Bronze
Below the Moon
by Alexis Marie Chute
(SparkPress)
26. Children’s Picture Book
GOLD
A Rainbow of Fun
by Lyndal M. Ihle; Illustrated by Leigh Brown
(Potoroo Publishing)
Silver
Pope Francis Says…
by Pope Francis; Illustrated by Sherree Boyd
(Loyola Press)
Bronze (tie)
Magic Thinking for Kids
by Marrielle Monte; Illustrated by Steven Celiceo
Seize the Day Publishing)
Bronze (tie)
Designed to Shine! Read Aloud Rhymes for Any Size Heart
by Joy Resor; illustrated by Lauren Connell
(Joy On Your Shoulders)
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
How Whole Brain Thinking Can Save the Future
by James Olson
(Origin Press)
Health & Wellness
Neem: Nature’s Healing Gift to Humanity
by Klaus Ferlow
(Neem Research)
Personal Growth
The Beatin’ Path: A Lyrical Guide to Lucid Evolution
by John B Lane
(Global Arts Ltd)
Spiritual Leadership
Sharing the Wisdom of Time
by Pope Francis and Friends
(Loyola Press)
Nature Conservation
Healing Art: Don’t Let Anything Ruin Your Day
written and photographed by Robert Flatt
(Bright Sky Publishing)
