2009 Christian Book of the Year: The ESV Study Bible

Bestselling Bible Translation Features Innovative Online Resource

DALLAS, March 20 /PRNewswire/ — The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) announced last evening the winners of the 2009 Christian Book Awards during the 2009 Christian Book Expo (CBE) in Dallas. For the first time in the award’s 30-year history, a study Bible was named Christian Book of the Year: the ESV Study Bible (Crossway).

The ESV Study Bible, which sold more than 180,000 units within five months of release, also won its category for best Bible, the first time a Bible has won both its category and the overall Book of the Year award. The ESV Study Bible released to strong demand in October 2008, selling out of its 100,000-copy first printing as quickly as it reached bookstores shelves. ESV stands for the Bible translation, the English Standard Version.

Presented annually to the finest in Christian publishing since 1978, the Christian Book Awards honors titles in six categories — Bibles, Bible Reference & Study, Christian Life, Fiction, Children & Youth, and Inspiration & Gift. The six category winners for 2009 are:

Bibles

ESV Study Bible

Crossway Books & Bibles, 9781433502415

Bible Reference & Study

Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry & Writings, Tremper Longman III, Peter Enns, Eds.

InterVarsity Press, 9780830817832

Children & Youth

For Young Men Only, Jeff Feldhahn and Eric Rice with Shaunti Feldhahn

WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group, 9781601420206

Christian Life

Spectacular Sins, John Piper

Crossway Books & Bibles, 9781433502750

Fiction

The Shape of Mercy, Susan Meissner

WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group, 9781400074563

Inspiration & Gift

Holiness Day by Day, Jerry Bridges

NavPress, 9781600063961

The 2009 Christian Book Awards were announced during an open-to-the-public awards dinner that kicked off the 2009 Christian Book Expo. The Christian Book Expo is the first Christian book fair of its kind and is happening March 20-22 at the Dallas Convention Center (http://www.ChristianBookExpo.com).

The Christian Book Awards, established in 1978 as the Gold Medallion Book Awards, recognize the absolute highest quality in Christian books. Based on excellence in content, literary quality, design, and significance of contribution, they are the oldest and among the most prestigious awards within the religious publishing industry.

The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) is an international non-profit trade organization, comprised of nearly 250 member companies worldwide, representing a combined revenue of nearly $2 billion and was founded in 1974.

Contact: Jana Muntsinger at c: 832-247-9308 or jana@mmpublicrelations.com

Past Winners: http://www.ecpa.org/christianbookawards/cba2008.php

2009 Winners: http://www.ecpa.org/christianbookawards/winners2009.php

Book covers: http://www.ecpa.org/christianbookawards/press2009.php

    Contact:

    Jana Muntsinger
    832-247-9308
    Jana@mmpublicrelations.com

This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE Evangelical Christian Publishers Association