We’re excited to announce the 2023 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 2023 medalists for their inspiring work!
BOOKS OF THE YEAR
GENERAL CATEGORIES:
1. Cookbooks – General | 2. Cookbooks – Ethnic, Holiday, Specialty | 3. Gift/Specialty/Keepsake | 4. Journal/Activity/Coloring Book | 5. Animals/Pets | 6. Green Living – Alternative Energy, Conservation, Gardening | 7. Family/Parenting | 8. Social Activism/Charity | 9. Personal Development/Growth | 10. Motivation/Self-Improvement | 11. Sexuality/Femininity/Women’s Experience | 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. Relaxation/Mindfulness | 20. Mature Living/Caregiving | 21. Grieving/Death/Dying | 22. How-To/DIY | 23. General Fiction | 24. Romance Fiction | 25. Children’s Inspirational Picture Book | 26. Digital Media
EVERGREEN CATEGORIES:
World Peace | Health & Wellness | Personal Growth | Spiritual Leadership | Nature Conservation | Fiction
BOOKS OF THE YEAR
MIND
Quiet Hour: An Easy Way to Reduce Stress and Feel Inner Peace Outside
by Heather Chase and Ken Beller
(LTS Press)
BODY
My Wonderful Body: Living and Thriving with an Autoimmune Disease
by Dr. Joy Pillay, Ed.D
(Butterfly Press Inc.)
SPIRIT
Not a Real Enemy
by Robert Wolf with Janice Harper
(Amsterdam Publishers)
GENERAL CATEGORIES
1. Cookbooks - General
GOLD
Lakeside Table: SAUCES
by Madalaine McDaniel
(Total Printing Systems)
Silver (tie)
Cooking à la Heart
by Linda Hachfeld and Amy Myrdal Miller
(The Experiment)
Silver (tie)
Anti-Aging Dishes from Around the World
by Grace O
(Skyhorse Publishing)
Bronze
Wellness Simplified! The Everyday Seasonal Cookbook
by Krista Rahm & Skyler Rahm
(Forrest Green Farm)
2. Cookbooks - ethnic, holiday, specialty
Category canceled
3. gift/specialty/keepsake
GOLD
The Story of Good
by Victoria Duerstock
(End Game Press)
Silver
In the Eye of the Storm
by Andy Clapp
(End Game Press)
Bronze
Healing Visions: An Anthology of Micro Prose and Fine Art Photography
by Meg Boscov
(Matter Press)
4. journal/activity/coloring book
GOLD
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: The Journal
by Lori Gottlieb
(HarperCollins)
Silver
Please Write: Finding Joy and Meaning in the Soulful Art of Handwritten Letters
by Lynne M. Kolze
(Beaver's Pond Press)
Bronze
I AM Teen Becoming A Guided Journal of Self-Discovery & Self-Leadership
by Isa Peguero Friedman
(Self-Published)
5. animals/pets
GOLD
Animal Prints on my Soul
by Candace Gish
(Absolute Love Publishing)
Silver
The Dog That Gave My Brother Words
by Wendy Hinote Lanier, illustrated by Jieting Chen
(End Game Press)
Bronze
Please Love Me Like I Love You
by Kip Ullrich Fechner, illustrated by Janis Ullrich Dillon
(Pet Kindness Press)
6. green living - alternative energy, conservation, gardening
GOLD
Facing the Climate Emergency, Second Edition: How to Transform Yourself with Climate Truth
by Margaret Klein Salamon with Molly Gage
(New Society Publishers)
Silver
Gaia's Own: Every Child's Guide To Living In Harmony With Nature
by Dharshana Bajaj
(Self-Published)
Bronze
Don’t Feed the Clowns: Sustainable Investing for Everyday Life
by Dale Wannen
(Precocity Press)
7. family/parenting
GOLD
Screaming on the Inside: The Unsustainability of American Motherhood
by Jessica Grose
(HarperCollins)
Silver
Raising Tech-Healthy Humans: How To Reset Your Children's Tech-Habits And Give Them A Great Start To Life
by Daniel Sih
(Self-Published)
Bronze
Finding Ecohappiness: Fun Nature Activities to Help Your Kids Feel Happier and Calmer
by Sandi Schwartz
(Quill Driver Books)
8. social activism/charity
GOLD
Say the Right Thing
by Kenji Yoshino and David Glasgow
(Atria Books)
Silver
Inside Out: The Equity Leader's Guide to Undoing Institutional Racism
by Caprice D. Hollins
(New Society Publishers)
Bronze
I Want a Better Catastrophe: Navigating the Climate Crisis with Grief, Hope, and Gallows Humor
by Andrew Boyd
(New Society Publishers)
9. personal development/growth
GOLD (tie)
How to Listen: Discover the Hidden Key to Better Communication
by Oscar Trimboli
(Page Two)
GOLD (tie)
How to Listen Out Loud: Ridiculously Powerful Skills for Leading, Relating, & Happifying
by Lauren Powers, MCC
(Pluck Publications)
Silver
Choosing Life: One man’s journey through alcoholism and depression to wellness and self-discovery
by Blue Andrews
(Luminare Press)
Bronze
Atlas of Being: From Briefcase to Backpack, One Former Lawyer's Exploration of the Human Way
by Danielle Sunberg
(Follow Our Leap, LLC)
10. motivation/self-improvement
GOLD
Grace Under Pressure: Leading Through Change and Crisis
by John Baldoni
(Savio Republic)
Silver
Abundant Soul-utions: A Mompreneur's Guide to Manifesting Success through Self-Care
by Chris Atley
(Amplify Publishing Group)
Bronze
The Ultimate Self-Esteem Toolkit: 25 Tools to Boost Confidence, Achieve Goals and Find Happiness
by Risa Williams, illustrated by Jennifer Whitney
(JKP Books)
11. sexuality/femininity/women's experience
GOLD
Damsel, Hero, Artist, Judge: Meditations on Archetypes and Creativity
by Jane Dunnewold
(Jane Dunnewold Studios)
Silver
Not Weakness: Navigating the Culture of Chronic Pain
by Francesca Grossman
(She Writes Press)
Bronze (tie)
My Feats in These Shoes: A Solely Original Memoir
by Ronda Beaman
(Adelaide Books)
Bronze (tie)
Open in the Front
by Mica Gadhia
(Self-Published)
12. relationships/marriage
GOLD
STRONG: A Relationship Field Guide for the Modern Man
by Kristal Desantis, LMFT
(Illumify Media)
Silver
Wild Monogamy: Cultivating Erotic Intimacy to Keep Passion and Desire Alive
by Mali Apple & Joe Dunn
(A Higher Possibility)
Bronze
Ride or Die: Loving Through Tragedy, A Husband's Memoir
by Jarie Bolander
(SparkPress)
13. inspirational memoir - male
GOLD
Silicon Valley Porn Star: A Memoir of Redemption and Rediscovering the Self
by Jason Portnoy
(Honest Climb Media)
Silver (tie)
Beloved: Being Gay and Christian
by Donald Schmidt
(Wood Lake Publishing)
Silver (tie)
Art in the Middle Ages: A Memoir of Midlife Renaissance
by Art Berman
(Beaver's Pond Press)
Bronze
You Have to Live... Why Not Win?
by Dave Ketchen and Larry Thorton, illustrated by Dave Dodson
(WNW Institute)
14. inspirational memoir - female
GOLD
A Smoke and a Song
by Sherry Sidoti
(She Writes Press)
Silver
Framing a Life: Building the Space To Be Me
by Roberta S. Kuriloff
(She Writes Press)
Bronze
Where Yellow Flowers Bloom: A True Story of Hope through Unimaginable Loss
by Kim Cantin
(Precocity Press)
15. enlightenment/spirituality
GOLD
Be the Magic - Bite-Sized Nuggets of Wisdom to Feed your Joy, Nourish your Soul and Open your Heart
by Diane Pienta
(Citrine Publishing)
Silver
Endless Awakening: Time, Paradox, and the Path to Enlightenment
by Patrick Paul Garlinger
(Red Elixir)
Bronze
A Trauma Toolbox, How to Include Your Soul in Healing Trauma
by Victoria McGee, M.A.
(McGee Publications)
16. metaphysical - astrology, tarot, psychic development
GOLD
Your Crystal Allies: The 12 Best Gems and Minerals for Healing Trauma and Navigating Change
by Tracee Dunblazier
(GoTracee Publishing)
Silver
Raise Your Frequency Through Number Messages: Awaken to the Meaning of Number Sequences and Synchronicities from Animals, Nature, and the Universe
by Melissa Alvarez
(Adrema Press)
Bronze
The Afterlife Experience: How Our Association With Nature's Elements Shapes the Outcome
by Bud Megargee
(Megargee Healthcare Group)
17. exercise/fitness/yoga
GOLD
Yoga of Yarn: A Knitter's Handbook for Self-Discovery
by Liza Laird
(RK Press)
Silver
Biomechanics of Your Body: A Simplified Way to Learn Human Movement and Muscles
by Tracy L. Markley, CPT
(Self-Published)
Bronze
Bibi: A Yoga Story About Gratitude
by Agnieszka Migew, illustrated by Ashleigh Heyns
(Self-Published)
18. health/wellness
GOLD
Modern Reiki for Modern Times
by Stephen & Caroline Jones
(Green Hill Publishing)
Silver
The Whole Body Reset: Your Weight-Loss Plan for a Flat Belly, Optimum Health & a Body You'll Love at Midlife and Beyond
by Stephen Perrine with Heidi Skolnik
(AARP)
Bronze (tie)
HAIR LOSS: Options for Restoration & Reversal 2nd Edition
by Gustavo J. Gomez, Ph.D
(Halo Publishing International)
Bronze (tie)
Taking Care of You: The Empowered Woman’s Guide to Better Health
by Mary I. O’Connor, M.D. and Kanwal L. Haq, M.S.
(Mayo Clinic Press)
19. relaxation/mindfulness
GOLD
Ornitherapy: For Your Mind, Body, and Soul
by Holly Merker, Richard Crossley, and Sophie Crossley
(Crossley Books)
Silver
Who Cares?: A Guided Self-Help & Devotional Journal for the Seasons of Life
by Dr. Melita J. Murray-Carney
(Xulon Press)
Bronze
Meditation Techniques for your Mental Health and to Connect to your Angels
by Dawn Hazel
(Dawn Publishing House)
20. mature living/caregiving
GOLD
Too Young to Be Old: How to Stay Vibrant, Visible, and Forever in Blue Jeans: 25 Secrets from TV's Jean Queen
by Diane Gilman
(Amplify Publishing Group)
Silver
Checklist for My Family: A Guide to My History, Financial Plans, and Final Wishes
by Sally Hurme
(AARP)
Bronze (tie)
How the Light Shines
by Trisha Elliott
(Wood Lake Publishing)
Bronze (tie)
Watching for Dragonflies: A Caregiver's Transformative Journey
by Suzanne Marriott
(She Writes Press)
21. grieving/death/dying
GOLD
Hello Grief
by Alessandra Olanow
(Harper Design)
Silver
Good Grief: The A to Z Approach of Modern Day Grief Healing
by Shelley F. Knight
(John Hunt Publishing)
Bronze (tie)
After the Flowers Die
by Renee Leonard Kennedy
(End Game Press)
Bronze (tie)
Bedside Witness: Stories of Hope, Healing, and Humanity
by Kay M. Adams
(Crown Hill Publishing)
22. how-to/diy
GOLD
Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff
by Matt Paxton
(Portfolio / Penguin)
Silver
Homemade for Sale, Second Edition: How to Set Up and Market a Food Business from Your Home Kitchen
by Lisa Kivirist & John Ivanko
(New Society Publishers)
Bronze
Om for the Home: A Holistic Approach to Interior Design for Your Overall Wellbeing, Body, Mind and Spirit
by Carrie Leskowitz
(High Star Publishing)
23. general fiction
GOLD
Stronger than Fear: Poems of Empowerment, Compassion, and Social Justice
edited by Carol Alexander and Stephen Massimilla
(Cave Moon Press)
Silver
Floating Underwater
by Tracy Shawn
(Turbulent Muse Publishing)
Bronze (tie)
Being Magic: A Journey to Wholeness
by Michael Ellison, PhD
(Space Cadets Studios)
Bronze (tie)
Creatures
by Gerald de Vere
(Space Cadets Studios in collaboration with Mental Anarchy Press)
24. romance fiction
Category canceled
25. children’s inspirational picture book
GOLD
Fly High
by Michelle Medlock Adams and Janet K. Johnson, illustrated by Beth Snider
(End Game Press)
Silver
Henri and the Magnificent Snort: A Children's Book about Bullying, Belonging, and Love
by Samantha Childs, illustrated by Hannah Farr
(Sea Lavender Publishing)
Bronze
Musical Soul Mates: A Girl Who Hears Music Everywhere
by Cindy B Witty, illustrated by Estelle Corke
(Miriam Laundry Publishing Company)
26. digital media
GOLD
The Jesuit: Finding God in All Things
edited by Desmond Francis Xavier Kon (Zhicheng-Mingdé) & Eric Francis Tinsay Valles
(Squircle Line Press)
Silver
Taking off from Tehran
by Sheida White
(Wise Ink)
Bronze
Beyond Expectations Into a World of Possibilities
by Patricia E. Bailey
(Tellwell Talent)
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
Threads of Awakening: An American Woman's Journey into Tibet's Sacred Textile Art
by Leslie Rinchen-Wongmo
(She Writes Press)
Silver
How to Talk to Your Enemies: 101+ Ways to Turn Hostility into Peace
by Alicia Dunams
(Bush Street Press)
Bronze
Great Peacemakers
by Ken Beller and Heather Chase
(LTS Press)
Health & Wellness
GOLD
Psychedelics For Everyone: A Beginner’s Guide to these Powerful Medicines for Anxiety, Depression, Addiction, PTSD, and Expanding Consciousness
by Matt Zemon
(Psyched Publishing)
Silver
Sarah's Story: Life after IVF: A STORY OF PERSONAL TRIUMPH AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH
by Danielle Aitken
(Project Heart Publishing)
Bronze
Shelter from Our Secrets, Silence, and Shame: How Our Stories Can Keep Us Stuck or Set Us Free
by Rebecca L. Brown
(Tellwell Talent)
Personal Growth
GOLD
Feisty Righty
by Jennifer D. James
(Self-Published)
Silver
The Gift Mindset
by Renee Giarrusso
(Major Street Publishing)
Bronze
Spacemaker: How to Unplug, Unwind, & Think Clearly in the Digital Age
by Daniel Sih
(100 Movements Press)
Spiritual Leadership
GOLD
Held and Free: Coming Out of Your Story
by Meagan M. O'Nan
(New Degree Press)
Silver
The Inward Outlook: Conscious Choice as a Daily Practice
by Laura Basha, PhD
(She Writes Press)
Bronze
Shift Calling
by Anna Gatmon, PhD
(Expansive Press)
Nature Conservation
GOLD
Sela Explores The River
by Sophia Sennett
(Self-Published)
Silver
Wellness Simplified! Herbalism from the Ground Up
by Krista Rahm & Skyler Rahm
(Forrest Green Farm)
Bronze
Never Lonely
by Cole W. Williams, illustrated by Ian Durneen
(Burning Belly Press)
Fiction
GOLD
Tell Me You Love Me
by Kathleen Stone
(Self-Published)
Silver
Holy Parrot
by Angela A
(Angel's Leap)
Bronze (tie)
Kudzu's Enormous New Life
by Sidney Thompson
(atmosphere press)
Bronze (tie)
Mama Drama
by Amal Nasser, illustrated by Nikos Yanopulos
(Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press)
