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Literary Titan Gold Book Award: Nonfiction
The Literary Titan Book Award recognizes outstanding nonfiction books that demonstrate exceptional quality in writing, research, and presentation. This award is dedicated to authors who excel in creating informative, enlightening, and engaging works that offer valuable insights. Recipients of this award are commended for their ability to transform complex topics into accessible and compelling narratives that captivate readers and enhance our understanding.
Award Recipients
System Upon Systems in the Bible by William OuYang
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
SET FREE
The existence of God is a subject that has been, and likely always will be, the focus of ongoing debate. It’s a question that neither logic nor evidence can definitively answer, leaving room for endless discussion. Yet, attempting to persuade someone of either side often proves fruitless. Belief in God, for many, is rooted not in rational argument but in a profound, immovable conviction. It’s these true believers who often navigate life with a clarity and purpose that those without a connection to the divine may find elusive.
In SET FREE, Sharon Crick explores this very idea through her deeply personal and inspiring journey. As both author and protagonist, she opens up about the many trials she has faced, while also sharing the story of her husband, Brian, a central figure in her life for over forty years. Crick recounts Brian’s turbulent upbringing in apartheid-era South Africa, where he battled addiction, spent time in a reformatory, and had run-ins with violent gangs. Her own experiences, though different, have been equally fraught with challenges. While one might attribute their meeting to mere chance, Crick makes it clear that she sees their union as divinely orchestrated.
Though a relatively short read, SET FREE is filled with emotional depth. Crick’s story, and that of her husband, resonate with themes of redemption, faith, and resilience. The love they share and their unwavering connection to a higher power are the anchors that have guided them through life’s many hardships. Even for those who don’t share their beliefs, the narrative offers something universally relatable: the power of love, commitment, and the search for meaning.
In the end, Sharon Crick’s memoir transcends the boundaries of faith. A truly compelling story, as this one proves to be, speaks to readers regardless of their spiritual inclinations. SET FREE is one such tale—heartfelt, sincere, and undeniably moving.
Pages: 146 | ISBN : 978-1923087323
System Upon Systems in the Bible
System Upon Systems in the Bible, by William OuYang, offers a reflective and detailed examination of how the Bible connects various aspects of Christian life and thought through interconnected “systems.” The book spans multiple areas, from analyzing human rights in light of biblical teachings to exploring complex theological issues such as the shift in worship practices from the Old Testament to the New. Through scripture references, personal anecdotes, and practical applications, the author unpacks the systems that, according to him, shape both the divine and human experience. It is written in two parts, each exploring distinct biblical themes, with questions and outlines provided for group discussions, making it suitable for educational or study settings.
The writing presents a heartfelt exploration of various topics, though it covers a wide range of themes within each chapter. For instance, in Chapter 1, OuYang discusses Philippians 2 and reflects on how Jesus relinquished His divine rights out of love for humanity. This theme is significant, but the inclusion of a list of 39 human rights may seem broad compared to the central biblical text. Examples such as animal rights and capital punishment are introduced alongside the main theme, creating a diverse range of topics within the chapter.
The chapter on contentment stood out to me as one of the book’s strongest. OuYang contrasts contentment with the materialism and dissatisfaction that plague modern life, using vivid examples of famous individuals who, despite their wealth, lived discontented lives. I resonated with his mention of Amy Winehouse and other celebrities who tragically ended their lives despite apparent success. His blend of scripture and contemporary examples effectively communicated the timeless lesson that joy cannot be bought.
The concept of “systems” itself was a fascinating framework throughout the book. I often felt that the connections were implied rather than explicitly developed. The questions for reflection at the end of each chapter are helpful and guide the reader toward applying these insights in real life, which I found very effective.
Chapter 8 was intellectually engaging for me, as it explores the shift in God’s presence from the Old Testament to the New Testament in a way that felt both thought-provoking and insightful. OuYang’s explanation of how God’s relationship with humanity evolved was presented with clarity and depth. I enjoyed how the chapter traced these changes through scripture. It made me reflect on the continuity of God’s plan throughout the Bible. The blend of theology and practical application in this chapter was both enlightening and relatable.
I recommend System Upon Systems in the Bible to those looking for a contemplative study guide that weaves together theology, personal reflection, and practical lessons. I think it’s especially suitable for small groups or church study classes, where the open-ended discussions could make the abstract connections clearer. Overall, it’s a passionate work that presents biblical principles in a way that invites both introspection and discussion.
INVISIBLE FORCES: Recognizing The Weapons Of Our Enemy and How To Resist Them
Do you really know who the devil is? In Invisible Forces, James Rondinone sets out to unveil the devil’s true identity and significance. The book delves into biblical passages, weaving together stories from both past and present. Its goal? To enlighten Christians and shield them from the devil’s deceptions. Expect a range of fascinating tales: the rise and fall of Lance Armstrong and the saga of Elizabeth Holmes. But James goes beyond Earth’s history, investigates where the devil was originally created, and explores his divine purpose. Through these insightful pages, readers will grasp why the anointed Cherub fell, learn how Christians can combat the devil’s weapons, and absorb other valuable biblical teachings.
Middle Ages insights in a book about the devil just scratch the surface of the book’s diverse and captivating topics. It’s intriguing to discover that, until the Middle Ages, the goat had little association with demonology. The book is a treasure trove of rich information from various sources, such as Jeffrey Burton Russell’s The Devil: Perceptions of Evil from Antiquity to Primitive Christianity. It explores several biblical passages. The author analyzes the words in certain verses to shed new light on their messages. As James explores the concept of the devil, he shares his personal perspectives. This allows readers to see how the messages influence his thoughts. All of this makes for an immersive experience. I appreciated that the chapters are titled as questions. Throughout the book, numerous queries are posed and answered. It feels interactive and engaging.
Invisible Forces offers profound, logical, and educational resources that help readers understand the devil’s workings and enable them to evade his traps. It provides messages for drawing closer to God and succeeding in the heavenly race.
Pages: 151 | ASIN : B0D6XKV3G9
The Search for God
In Death of a Blue Jay, a man is forced to face his inner demons as he learns to embrace life’s nuances and rediscovers his own faith. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration for my story was based on a trip to Bar Harbor, Maine. My friend and I were not cognizant of the time on one hike and we found ourselves trying to hike back after sunset in the darkness. This experience helped me understand how life is hard and we all have a “dark path” to follow to reconcile past traumas or mistakes. The issue is it is hard to face this reality so most people tend to mask their obligations and distract themselves with comfort. Along the process, there is humility involved and a reliance on a higher power above ourselves.
Did you plan the tone and direction of the novel before writing, or did it come out organically as you were writing?
I planned the very beginning and ending of the novel before writing and also established the main themes throughout the novel. I started writing the book with the scene from the very middle of the novel and organically the tone and direction developed as I was writing from the beginning to the end.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Some themes that were important for me to explore in this book were mortality, morality, and the search for God.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from Jeremy’s story?
Charity is an essential call for all of us in life and we must be realistic with our mental health and reconcile any past traumas before giving joy to others because otherwise we are left confused, stuck, and selfish!
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Amazon
This book has received recognition from:
International Impact Book Awards (May 2024) under Christian Fantasy.
2nd Quarter 2024 Firebird Book Award Winner- Christian Fiction (1st Place) and Religious Fiction (2nd place)
In D’Souza’s “Death of a Blue Jay“, Jeremy Martin goes through a supernatural experience of ups and downs and understands that there is value even when we fall because there will be new lessons gained for future use of wisdom.
In the fictional world of ROB-RAH-RATS, Jeremy is forced to face his unconscious mind, where his deepest secrets are revealed; and where he must face his inner demons and build virtue to ultimately return to the real world and fulfill a final act of charity. D’Souza shares contemplation and the allegory of certain objects to give the reader a new perspective on the value of living by eyes of faith rather than simply by eyes of sight.
Universal Salvation and Personal Enlightenment
The Secret Religion is a compelling and educational exploration of the evolution of religion in Western societies, focusing on the enigmatic esoteric tradition of Christianity known as Gnosticism. Why was this an important book for you to write?
In my first book, The Obelisk and the Cross, I asked three existential questions; where did we come from? Why are we here? What happens when we die? Unfortunately, I found no clear answers evidenced in any of the western spiritual traditions. But I did discover an underlying theme that permeated (and still permeates) beneath all faith traditions – the choice between universal salvation and personal enlightenment.
How much research did you undertake for this book and how much time did it take to put it all together?
The book is the culmination of over 15 years of theoretic and field research.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from The Secret Religion?
What we believe and how we act on those beliefs are two of the most important and personal choices each of us makes in the journey of our lived existence. If we strip away the supernatural aspects of the Christ myth and disregard the institutional constructions that arose after him, all that remains is a story of someone born in poverty and raised in obscurity, who dedicated his life to being a voice for the oppressed and abused. His works and words give people the hope of something better, something more than mere servitude and survival. Jesus rebelled against organised religious sects and political structures and gave hope to the hopeless so that the struggles of life are not in vain. This is the tangible legacy given to us by the ‘Jesus of history’. If seen through this perspective, the story of the human Jesus is part of a greater narrative that puts the individual at the centre of all things.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
The Gnostics were brutally persecuted and their ideas were suppressed. But their teachings were powerful enough to linger on in the collective unconscious of succeeding generations and to re-emerge in the most unexpected places. From symbols on the American one-dollar bill to the ideals of the 1960s counterculture, from heavy metal music to 21st-century technological innovations, various facets of Gnostic thought continue to offer us a way to interpret the meaning of our lives. As Sunderland traces the battle between the orthodox and heretical traditions of Christianity, his thorough research and ability to make counterintuitive connections reveal to us a struggle that continues to rage beneath the surface of contemporary life.
LITERARY TITAN 