21 Books YOU Should Read During #NationalBookMonth in 2020

 Looking for some great books to add to your reading list as we recognize National Book Book in 2020? Conversations' Cyrus Webb has you covered with 21 Books he has personally read that he believes YOU should read as well. 

NON-FICTION TITLES (Listed in no particular order)

1. The World Looks Different Now by Margaret Thomson (She Writes Press)
2. Beyond the Holocaust by Sylvie Heyman (Balboa Press)
3. The Courage to Step Out of the Familiar by Dennis J. Perkins (Xulon Press)
4. Healing Words: Life Lessons to Inspire by Mary Ellen Ciganovich (Conversations Media Group)
5. B!tch Hunt by Taetrece Harrison (Sovereign Noir)
6. The Power of Pain by Kneika Robbins/Audra Bush/Kenya Frazier (BlaqRayn Publishing)
7. Silent Voices by Debbie Nau Redmond (Aspenglo, LLC)
8. Seminole by Tina Siemens (KDP)
9. Unapologetically: I Am A Man by Cornelius J. Maxwell (Leaked From My Pen LLC)
10. The Answer Is...Reflections on My Life by Alex Trebek (Simon & Schuster)
11. This is Not a Fashion Story by Danielle Bernstein (Vertel Publishing)
12. Side-Chick Savior by Jamiah Alexander (Conversations Media Group)

FICTION TITLES (Listed in no particular order)

1. When I Was You by Amber Garza (Mira Books)
2. Countdown America by M. C. Fox (M. C. Fox)
3. You Can Go Home Now by Michael Elias (Harper)
4. The Silent Wife by Karin Slaughter (William Morrow)
5. K3 by Tracie O'Neil Horton (Outskirts Press)
6. The Unspoken by Ian K. Smith (Thomas & Mercer)
7. My Daddy's Baby Too by Charmaine Marie (Real L.O.V.E. Publications)
8. Chaos by Andrew Hess (Phoenix Entertainment and Development)
9. World of Rage by A. Shane Etter (ThomasMax Publishing)

10 Must-Read Books During Mental Health Awareness Month

With May being recognized among other things as Mental Health Awareness Month Conversations Media Group President Cyrus Webb wanted to share 10 books that he has read that address the issues of good mental health as well as the effects of mental illness. It is his hope that these titles will encourage us all to work together in furthering the conversation about mental health and what we can do to help others.

10 Must-Read Books During Mental Health Awareness Month
(listed in no particular order)

1. SHATTERED by Denise Byers (DanDeeLion Publishing)
2. Stronger by Dr. Teresa A. Smith (PDG Branding & Marketing)
3. Silent Voices by Debbie Nau Redmond (Aspenglo, LLC)
4. Daughters Betrayed by their Mothers by Holli Kenley (Loving Healing Press)
5. Prison or Passion by R.K. Russell (Jack Wild Publishing)
6. She's Not Herself by Linda Appleman Shapiro (Dream of Things)
7. I Am More Than Enough by Ahmard Moore Vital (That Guy Media Group)
8. An Unspeakable Secret by Glenda L. Hunter (Glenda L. Hunter)
9. Blindsided and Ambushed by Lisa Y. Sparrow (BlaqRayn Publishing)
10. I'm Hopeless, I'm Crazy by Linda Rae Anderson (Xlibris)

10 Poetry Books You Should Read During National Poetry Month

Conversations Media Group is excited to suggest these 10 poetry books that founder Cyrus Webb has enjoyed and believe you will as well. National Poetry Month is a time to celebrate the written word. Check out these titles and join the conversation.

10 Poetry Books You Should Read During National Poetry Month

1. SPEECHLESS by Kneika Robbins (Pendium Publishing House)
2. SHATTERED by Denise Byers (DanDeeLion Publishing)
3. OUT OF THE DEPTHS by Glenda L. Hunter (Glenda L. Hunter)
4. AFTER THE FIRE by J. A. Jance (William Morrow)
5. BELOVED by Greatest Poet Alive (G.P.A.)
6. #SNAPSHOT by Hannah Harris and Marcus Harris (Pulse Pub)
7. MY DREAM CONTINUES by Sharon Clarkson (Gasch Printing)
8. SILENCE IS NOT ALWAYS GOLDEN: A Poetic Revolution by Joy Elan (Joy Elan)
9. DEAR USHA: Messages to My First Born by Lashawn 'Suga Ray' Marston (Suga Ray)
10. POETRY FROM THE COLORS OF MY MIND by Selena Haskins (Calidream Publishing)

Conversations' 20 Female Authors You Should Know (and Read) in 2019

by Cyrus Webb

There is always a good reason to read a great book, right?

Though March is recognized as Women's History Month, I'm excited to share with you 20 Female Authors You Should Know (and Read) not just this month but throughout this year.

1. Stronger by Dr. Teresa A. Smith (PDG Branding & Marketing)
2. Dare to Believe by Jessica Joines (Divinely True Publishing)
3. My Child's Different by Elaine Halligan (Crown House Publishing)
4. From Abuse to Abundance by Dr. Jamila Battle (Battle Publishing)
5. Dear George, Dear Mary by Mary Calvi (St. Martins Press) 
6. T.R.U.T.H. (Taking Responsibility Unleashes True Healing) by Mary Ellen Ciganovich (CMG)
7. Brave, Not Perfect by Reshma Saujani (Currency/Penguin Random House)
8. Addicted to Hate by Lucia Mann (Grassroots Publishing Group)
9. An Unspeakable Secret by Glenda L. Hunter (Glenda L. Hunter)
10. Daughters Betrayed By Their Mothers by Holli Kenley (Loving Healing Press)
11. Sparks in Love by Susan Sparks (Bright Light Books)
12. Butterfly Uprising by Ann Anderson (Page Publishing)
13. Off the Beating Path by Danny Fisher (Danny Fisher)
14. The Beantown Girls by Jane Healey (Lake Union Publishing)
15. Louisiana Catch by Sweta Srivastava Vikram (Modern History Press)
16. Blackberry Road by Jodi Lea Stewart (Sundown Press)
17. The Painted Ladies by Sylvia Dickey Smith (Crispin Press)
18. Stereotyped by Vick Breedy (Vick Breedy)
19. Lesson Gifted Away by Tiera Nacole (Novel Nikki Publishing)
20. The Forgotten Hours by Katrin Schumann (Lake Union Publishing)

Conversations Top 50 Non-Fiction Books of 2017

Inspiration. Motivation. Reflection. Action.

These four words define the 50 Non-Fiction Books of 2017 as chosen by Conversations' own Cyrus Webb. An avid reader and someone who appreciates the importance of sharing the stories of others, Webb has chosen the books that spoke to him throughout the year and he believes will do the same for others. 

Conversations' Top 50 Non-Fiction Books of 2017 (listed in no particular order)

1. This Is Just My Face: Try Not to Star by Gabourey Sidibe (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
2. The Ken Commandments by Ken Baker (Convergent)
3. The Newcomers by Helen Thorpe (Scribner)
4. Life Is Like A Musical by Tim Federle (Running Press)
5. Take the Lid Off by Smokie Norful (Thomas Nelson)
6. When Soulmates Unite by Christina Renee Joubert (Teaching the World to Love, LLC)
7. Eyes on the Prize by Carrie Williams
8. The Not So Subtle Art of Being A Fat Girl by Tess Holliday (Bluestreak Books)
9. Find and Follow Your Inner Compass by Barbara Berger (O Books)
10. Hope for the Caregiver by Peter Rosenberger (Worthy Inspired)
11. Find Your Soul's Purpose by Janet Conner (Conari Press)
12. Teeth by Mary Otto (The New Press)
13. The Path to Personal Power by Napoleon Hill (Tarcher Perigee)
14. Reclaiming Your Body by Suzanne Scurlock-Durana (New World Library)
15. The Art of Connection by Michael J. Gelb (New World Library)
16. On Edge by Andrea Peterson (Crown)
17. The Difference by Subir Chowdhury (Crown Business)
18. Beer Money by Frances Stroh (Harper Perrennial)
19. Spark by Angie Morgan, Sean Lynch and Courtney Lynch (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
20. The Trauma Heart by Judy Crane (Health Communications, Inc.)
21. Before Empire by Andria Mayberry (The TMG Firm)
22. A Body of Work by David Hallberg (Touchstone)
23. Dare to be Kind by Lizzie Velasquez (Hachette Books)
24. Deep Water by Katherine Nichols (Simon Pulse)
25. My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward by Mark Lukach (Harper Wave
26. Social Media Wellness by Ana Homayoun (Corwin)
27. Rule #1 Don't Be #2 by Daniel Milstein (Gold Star Publishing)
28. Alger Hiss: Framed by Joan Brady (Arcade)
29. Two Minute Mornings by Neil Pasricha (Chronicle Books)
30. Being the Change by Peter Kalmus (New Society Publishers)
31. Reading with Patrick by Michelle Kuo (Random House)
32. Not a Perfect Fit by Jane A. Schmidt (She Writes Press)
33. Code Girls by Liza Mundy (Hachette Books)
34. The Song and the Silence by Yvette Johnson (Atria Books)
35. Power Down and Parent Up by Holli Kenley (Loving Healing Press)
36. ChangeAbility by Sharon Weil (Archer/Rare Bird Books)
37. Unsinkable Faith by Tracie Miles (David C. Cook)
38. Of Bees and Boys: Lines From A Southern Lawyer by Allen Mendenhall (Red Dirt Press)
39. Live, Love, Explore by Leon Logothetis (Reader's Digest)
40. Let the Story Do the Work by Esther K. Choy (Amacom)
41. Knowing Is Half the Fight...Cooking is the Other by Darnell 'Super Chef' Ferguson
42. Off the Cliff by Becky Aikman (Penguin Press)
43. Fault Lines in the Constitution by Cynthia Levinson and Sanford Levinson (Peachtree)
44. The Awakened Woman by Dr. Tererai Trent (Enliven Books/Atria)
45. The Hidden School by Dan Millman (North Star Way)
46. Fasting and Feasting by Adam Federman (Chelsea Green)
47. The Rules Do Not Apply by Ariel Levy (Random House)
48. Chasing Famous by Lisa Lloyd (New Hope Publishers)
49. Living in the Darkest Life by Joyce Edwards
50. Insight by Tasha Eurich (Crown Business)

Cyrus Webb Presents...10 Books to Read In 2017

by Cyrus Webb

I love to read, and thankfully in my profession I am able to read each and every day--as well as be introduced to new books and authors that I get to pass on to my audience through the radio show, web-series, book club and social media. As the year is coming to a close I wanted to share with you 10 books that I have had the privilege of reading that you might want to add to your reading list.

These books either were released after I compiled Conversations' Top Books of 2016 or will be new releases for 2017. Either way they are definitely worth your consideration.

Happy reading!

Cyrus Webb Presents... 10 Books to Read In 2017 (listed in no particular order)

1. "Sisters One, Two Three" by Nancy Star (Lake Union Publishing)
2. "I Liked My Life" by Abby Fabiaschi (St. Martin's Press)
3. "Ashes" by Steven Manchester (The Story Plant)
4. "Copycat" by Kimberla Lawson Roby (Grand Central Publishing)
5. "Say Goodbye For Now" by Catherine Ryan Hyde (Lake Union Publishing)
6. "Live, Love, Explore" by Leon Logothetis (Reader's Digest)
7. "No Arms to Hold Me" by Zach Tate and Elissa Gabrielle (The Imprint Mass Media)
8. "Her Every Fear" by Peter Swanson (William Morrow)
9. "A Fatal Twist" by Tracy Weber (Midnight Ink Books)
10. "Forever Is the Worst Long Time" by Camille Pagan (Lake Union Publishing)

Conversations Top 50 Fiction Books of 2016

Conversations Book Club President Cyrus Webb believes that fiction has a way of not just allowing the reader to be entertained but also better discuss the truth of the world around us.

This year's Top 50 Fiction Books of 2016 represents some of Webb's favorite reads of the year and are sure to be favorites of avid readers around the world. 

Conversations Top 50 Fiction Books of 2016 (Listed in no particular order)

1. The Two-Family House by Lynda Cohen Loigman (St. Martin’s Press) 

2. We Are Unprepared by Meg Little Reilly (Mira Books)

3. Baby Girl by Bette Lee Crosby (Bent Pine Publishing)

4. If I Forget You by Thomas Christopher Greene (Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin’s Press)

5. Write to Die by Charles Rosenberg (Thomas & Mercer)

6. A Sinful Calling by Kimberla Lawson Roby (Grand Central Publishing)

7. Back in the Saddle by Ruth Logan Herne (Multnomah Books)

8. Destiny Lingers by Rolonda Watts (iUniverse)

9. The Restaurant Critic’s Wife by Elizabeth LaBan (Lake Union Publishing) 

10. Bev by Andrea Williams and Matty Rich (Gallery Books)

11. You’re The One I Want by Shane Allison (Strebor Books)

12. The Survivor’s Guide to Family Happiness by Maddie Dawson (Lake Union Publishing)

13. The Hand She Played by Sheryl Mallory-Johnson (WanaSoma Books)

14. Sister Surrogate by Lachelle Weaver (Brown Girls Books)

15. The Other Sister by Dianne Dixon (Sourcebooks)

16. Original Cyn by Sylvia Dickey Smith (White Bird Publications)

17. Anchor in the Storm by Sarah Sundin (Revell)

18. Sisi by Allison Pataki (The Dial Press)

19. Song of Silence by Cynthia Ruchti (Abingdon) 

20. Night and Day by Iris Johansen (St. Martin’s Press)

21. Brush of Wings by Karen Kingsbury (Howard Books)

22. Children of Italy by Christine Simolke (Hawkins Publishing Group) 

23. Justice for Jessica by Alretha Thomas (Diverse Arts Collective)

24. The Cavendon Luck by Barbara Taylor Bradford (St. Martin’s Press)

25. The Cartel 6 by Ashley & JaQuavis (St. Martin’s Griffin)

26. Secret Lives and Private Eyes by Heather Weidner (Koehler Books)

27. I’ll See You in Paris by Michelle Gable (Thomas Dunne Books)

28. Every Woman’s Dream by Mary Monroe (Kensington)

29. Fractured by Catherine McKenzie (Lake Union Publishing)

30. Virtuous Deception 2 by Leiann B. Wrytes (A Million Thoughts)

31. The Book of Harlan by Bernice L. McFadden (Akashic Books)

32. Murder, She Tweets by Amy Beth Arkawy (Cozy Cat Press)

33. The Dog Catcher by Lloyd Johnson (Diamond Lake Publishing)

34. Saving Abby by Steena Holmes (Lake Union Publishing)

35. Men Can Cry Too by Kenny L. Mitchell (The Heavenly Expressions)

36. The Practice Wife by Marissa Monteilh (4D Publishing)

37. Happy People Read and Drink Coffee by Agnes Martin-Lugand (Weinstein Books)

38. The Orphan Keeper by Camron Wright (Shadow Mountain)

39. Second House from the Corner by Sadeqa Johnson (Thomas Dunne Books)

40. In Twenty Years by Allison Winn Scotch (Lake Union Publishing)

41. Throw Away Girls by Jennifer Vaughn (Waldorf Publishing)

42. Poet of the Wrong Generation by Lonnie Ostrow (Harmony River Press)

43. Beautiful Country by J.R. Thornton (Harper Perennial)

44. Women’s Voices by Rebekah S. Cole (CreateSpace)

45. Mattie’s Call by Stacy Campbell (Strebor Books)

46. This Was Not the Plan by Cristina Alger (Touchstone)

47. The Steel Kiss by Jeffery Deaver (Grand Central Publishing)

48. Where We Fall by Rochelle B. Weinstein (Lake Union Publishing)

49. Calloway by Cori Quinn (unknown)

50. The Dollhouse by Fiona Davis (Dutton)

Conversations’ Top 50 Non-Fiction Books of 2016

As Conversations Book Club celebrates its 10-Year Anniversary it is with great pleasure that we announce our Top 50 Non-Fiction Books of 2016. The books were chosen by book club President Cyrus Webb based on their ability to inspire, educate and motivate the readers.

"Having personally read the books myself I can confidently recommend them to others," says Webb. This year's list is sure to spark some powerful discussions, and I think readers will appreciate the value they are sure to give them and those they share them with."

Conversations’ Top 50 Non-Fiction Books of 2016 (Listed in no particular order)

1. From Crisis to Calling by Sasha Chanoff and David Chanoff (Berrett-Koehler Publishers)
2. Habit Changers by M. J. Ryan (Crown Business)
3. Let Me Out by Peter Himmelman (Tarcher Perigee)
4. How to Have a Good Day by Caroline Webb (Crown Business)
5. The Power of Broke by Daymond John (Crown Publishing Group)
6. The Opposite of Comfortable by Sharon Nir (Viki Press)
7. The Joy of Less by Amy Newmark and Brooke Burke-Charvet (Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing)
8. Destiny and Power by Jon Meacham (Random House)
9. Diamonds From the Rough anthology presented by Tricia Pollard (unknown)
10. Life Is Not an Accident by Jay Williams (Harper)
11. The Soul of a Man 2: Make Me Wanna Holler anthology by Elissa Gabrielle (Peace in the Storm Publishing)
12. Your One Word by Evan Carmichael (Tarcher Perigee)
13. Soft is the New Power by Deya Smith (Touch Me Books)
14. Lead with Your Heart by Allan J. Hamilton, MD (Storey)
15. Tell Me Your Story by Tuya Pearl (She Writes Press)
16. Fierce Optimism by Leeza Gibbons (Dey Street Books)
17. Hustle. Believe. Receive. by Sarah Centrella (Skyhorse Publishing)
18. The Jaguar Man by Lara Naughton (Central Recovery Press)
19. Against the Tide by J. H. Sullivan (Strategic Media Books)
20. Ask Angelo by Angelo Ellerbee (The Ellerbee Group)
21. The Gatekeeper by Kathryn Smith (Touchstone)
22. The Mannings by Lars Anderson (Ballantine Books)
23. Bullet Riddled by Grant M. Whitus (Waldorf Publishing)
24. Grit by Angela Duckworth (Scribner)
25. Wear and Tear by Tracy Tynan (Scribner)
26. Pink Pantie Confessions by Cynda Williams (220 Publishing)
27. Melba’s American Comfort by Melba Wilson (Atria Books)
28. Bobby Kennedy by Larry Tye (Random House)
29. 6 Week Money Challenge by Steve Repak (BroadStreet)
30. Please Enjoy Your Happiness by Paul Brinkley-Rogers (Touchstone)
31. The Coyote’s Bicycle by Kimball Taylor (Tin House Books)
32. @NATGEO: The Most Popular Instagram Photos by National Geographic
33. With Love, All Things Can Be Healed by Tobin Blake (Real World Books)
34. Eat My Schwartz by Geoff and Mitch Schwartz (St. Martin’s  Press)
35. The Inefficiency Assassin by Helene Segura (New World Library)
36. A Smile of Hope by Ma Victoria Sarte-Perez & Zenaida Roy-Almario (ABS-CBN Publishing)
37. The Five Hour Workday by Stephan Aarstol (Lioncrest Publishing)
38. Simply Happy by Amy Newmark (Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing)
39. Street Farm by Michael Ableman (Chelsea Green)
40. Carry On by Lisa Fenn (Harper Wave)
41. Journey to Heal by Crystal M. Sutherland (Kregel Publications)
42. Why the Monkees Matter by Rosanne Welch (McFarland)
43. From Abuse to Abundance by Jamila Battle (Battle Publishing)
44. When Johnny Doesn’t Come Marching Home by Marian Small (Friesen Press)
45. Turning Darkness Into Light by S. L. Young (unknown)
46. Cracking the Cube by Ian Scheffler (Touchstone)
47. The Gift of Anger by Joe Solmonese (Berrett-Koehler Publishers)
48. Look at You Now by Liz Pryor (Random House)
49. Far & Away by Andrew Solomon (Scribner)
50. To Pixar and Beyond by Lawrence Levy (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)

Conversations' Top 10 Books for Young Readers/Teens of 2016

Conversations Book Club President Cyrus Webb has been a fan of books since he was a young child, spending most of his life with characters and stories that he found between their covers. As adult he has championed the arts and the important of literacy in his home state of Mississippi and the South, and through the Conversations platform he has introduced the world to great authors and readers for over a decade.

As the book club celebrates 10 years of sharing the importance of reading, Webb announces Conversations' Top 10 Books for young Readers/Teens of 2016.

Conversations' Top 10 Books for Young Readers/Teens of 2016 (listed in no particular order)

1. Bounce by Megan Shull (Katherine Tegen Books/Harper Collins)
2. The Amateurs by Sara Shepard (Freeform Books)
3. The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith (Margaret K. McElderry Books)
4. My Dad Is An Alcoholic: What About Me? by Marc Treitler/Lianna Treitler (DoGood Press)
5. Something In Between by Melissa de la Cruz (Seventeen Fiction/Harlequin Teen)
6. Booked by Kwame Alexander (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
7. The DH by John Feinstein (Knoft)
8. Moo by Sharon Creech (Joanna Cotler Books/Harper Collins)
9. Gutless by Carl Deuker (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
10. Demon Dentist by David Walliams (Harper)

Conversations' Honoree Iris Bolling: Finding Success Writing from the Heart

by Cyrus Webb

I first became aware of award-winning author/ Executive Producer (and one of Conversations' 25 Women Changing the World in 2016) Iris Bolling in 2013. She was on Conversations LIVE discussing her book The Pendleton Rule, and it was during that visit that she initially discussed The Heart series with me.

Fast forward to 2016, and now the books that make up the Heart Series are the basis for the television series The Heart that premiered on the CW in Richmond, VA in Feb. of 2014 and is currently showing its second season both on television as well as online.

Serving as the Creator and Executive Director of the television show, Iris Bolling has assembled a team that has not only helped bring her beloved books to life but are just as invested in its success.

In 2015 when I announced I was traveling to Atlanta to tape episodes for my new show Cyrus Webb Presents, Iris took time out of her busy schedule to drive to the city to be a part of the taping. It was special not just because she was so supportive of the event but because it was the first time we met face-to-face.

Ever gracious---even though she prefers to be behind the camera---we were able to talk about the journey that led her to where she is today.

"I still pinch myself," she told me when we began discussing the experience of the books being successful, followed by the response to the show. "First it's actually getting the books done, and they being so well received. Then doing the television series and  have it received very well...I still pinch just to make sure it's still happening."

From the first time I met her, it was obvious why Iris Bolling is so successful: she is genuine and takes a real interest in her fans and is admired by other authors as well. "I enjoy people," she told me. "I do think I give them good stories and they fall in love with the characters, and then they want to know who created them.  I'm very appreciative because readers have a choice.  I'm very fortunate for some reason they have chosen my work. I let them know how much I appreciate that."

The other thing about Iris that is appreciated by readers is that no matter what color the characters might be in her books, she is not penning stories that will relate to just one group of people. "I write stories about life," she says. "Everyone can relate to that, regardless of what status you are in life. I think they can see themselves in the characters or in the stories. I don't think stories are going to happen to this class of people or this race of people. I think stories happen to people. That's what I write about."

Whether you are just discovering the literary gift that is Iris Bolling or have been a fan for some time, she is one storyteller that proves when you work hard and give your all to the craft the audience will come. It is no wonder that she is not just changing the world, but showing by example what it means to lead with class, integrity and dignity.

Stay connected with Iris and Season Two of The Heart series at www.irisbolling.net.

*     photo courtesy of Dream Photography Group/ ConnectingYouto PR

Cyrus Webb Presents...10 Books You Need to Read In 2016

by Cyrus Webb

I read A LOT of books, and thankfully because of the work I do I get to enjoy some titles before they are officially released to the world. Though there were some amazing reads that came out in 2015, I am really excited about 2016 and what it has in store for readers.

Here are 10 books (7 fiction and 3 non-fiction) that I have read and enjoyed and I believe you should definitely add to your reading list in 2016. Some might have been released after I compiled Conversations' top books of 2015. Others you might have to pre-order and wait a little while before being able to enjoy it. Either way trust me when I say that each one is worth the time and your support.

Cyrus Webb Presents... 10 Books You Need to Read in 2016
(listed in no particular order)

1. The Restaurant Critic's Wife by Elizabeth LaBan (Lake Union)
2. Best Friends Forever by Kimberla Lawson Roby (Grand Central Publishing)
3. Given Not Taken by Kenneth Thomas, Sr. (Jozef Syndicate)
4. The Way I Used To Be by Amber Smith (McElderry Books)
5. Angels Burning by Tawni O'Dell (Gallery Books)
6. Writers on Writing by Antoinette Kuritz and Jared Kuritz (Nightstand Press)
7. The Four Purposes of Life by Dan Millman (New World Library)
8. A Better Life by Michael Jenet (Motivational Press)
9. Karma's A Killer by Tracy Weber (Midnight Ink Books)
10. Hustle. Believe. Receive. by Sarah Centrella (Skyhorse Publishing)

Conversations' Top 12 Books for Young Readers in 2015

Conversations Book Club founder Cyrus Webb is committed to encouraging reading among individuals of all ages, and when he finds out about books that are entertaining and deliver powerful messages, he loves to share.

During 2015 he read hundreds of books, and after compiling his list of Top 100 Books for Adults for the year he then set his sight on books he could suggest for young readers and those in the young adult category. "There are lots of books out there," Webb says, "but I wanted to choose 12 books that not just give you something you will enjoy but also give you something you can share with others.

Here are Conversations' Top 12 Books for Young Readers in 2015 
(listed in no particular order)

1. Princess Lydia and the Fire Breathing Dragon by Denise Byers (DanDeeLion Publishing)
2. Rumplepimple by Suzanne DeWitt Hall (I Promote Books)
3. The Haunting of Sunshine Girl by Paige McKenzie (Weinstein Books)
4. Yard War by Taylor Kitchings (Wendy Lamb Books)
5. Junior Goes to School by Glenda L. Hunter (unknown)
6. Traffick by Ellen Hopkins (McElderry Books)
7. Confessions of an Imaginary Friend by Michelle Cuevas (Dial Books)
8. I am Lucille Ball by Brad Meltzer (Dial Books)
9. When My Grammy Forgets, I Remember by Toby Haberkorn (Baypointe Publishers)
10. All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely (Atheneum)
11. The Keeper by David Baldacci (Scholastic Press)
12. Nancy Clancy Soccer Mania by Jane O'Connor (Harper)

Conversations' Top 100 Adult Books of 2015

Conversations Book Club President and media personality Cyrus Webb is excited to share his Top 100 Adult Books of 2015. The list, compiled from books Webb read between December 2014 and November 2015 are an eclectic mix of non-fiction and fiction by authors that are both recognizable and rising stars in the industry.

"That is what Conversations has done since the listing began," says Webb. "I read authors of all interests and backgrounds and thanks to that I am able to share books that are not just wide-ranging but are written from individuals around the world." Though some of the books listed might have been intended for younger audiences, Webb sees them with great messages for readers of all ages.

Below are the Top 100 Adult Books of 2015, separated into Fiction and Non-Fiction but not listed in any particular order:

Conversations' Top 50 Adult Fiction Books of 2015 (listed in no particular order)

1. "The Wiregrass" by Pam Webber (She Writes Press)
2. "Rules for Stealing Stars" by Corey Ann Haydu (HarperCollins Publishers)
3. "Seize The Day" by Curtis Bunn (Strebor Books)
4. "The Santangelos" by Jackie Collins (St Martin's Press)
5. "Drained" by Dan O'Brien (Dan O'Brien Presents)
6. "Food Whore" by Jessica Tom (William Morrow)
7. "The Secret Chord" by Geraldine Brooks (Viking)
8. "Through Waters Deeps" by Sarah Sundin (Revell)
9. "Missing Melissa" by Alretha Thomas (Diverse Arts Collective)
10. "The Hunted" by Matt De La Pena (Delacorte Press)
11. "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" by Beth K. Vogt (Simon and Schuster)
12. "The Sex Girl" by Alice Carbone (Barnacle Book)
13. "Caged Bird" by Josuanne Denis-Frasier (UrbanEdge Publishing)
14. "Cookie's Case by Andy Siegel (Open Road)
15. "Twisted Entrapment" by N'Tyse (Strebor Books)
16. "Don't Jump" by Vicki Abelson (Random Content)
17. "Bittersweet Dreams" by V. C. Andrews (Pocket Books)
18. "South of Everything" by Audrey Taylor Gonzalez (She Writes Press)
19. "A State of Treason" by David Thomas Roberts (Defiance Press)
20. "Scared of Beautiful" by Tiffany Campbell (Shaunta Kenerly Presents)
21. "The Cavendon Women" by Barbara Taylor Bradford (St. Martin's Press)
22. "The Conciliators " by James J. Kaufman (Downstream Publishing)
23. "The Rose Society" by Marie Lu (Putnam)
24. "The Burning Man" by Solange Ritchie (Morgan James)
25. "When No One Came" by Skyy Banks (Urban Edge Publishing)
26. "The Inn at Ocean's Edge" by Colleen Coble (Thomas Nelson)
27. "Wouldn't Change A Thing" by Stacey Campbell (Strebor Books)
28. "The Terrorist's Holiday" by Andrew Neiderman (Open Road)
29. "Stand Your Ground" by Victoria Christopher Murray (Touchstone)
30. "Losing Faith" by Adam Mitzner (Gallery Books)
31. "Filthy" by Isiko Cooks (Peter Mack Presents)
32. "Traffick" by Ellen Hopkins (Margaret K. McElderry Books)
33. "Movie Star by Lizzie Pepper" by Hilary Liftin (Viking)
34. "Another Way" by Holli Kenley (Loving Healing Press)
35. "Geronimo Hotshot" by Robert Blake Whitehill (Calaveras Media)
36. "We All Looked Up" by Tommy Wallach (Simon and Schuster)
37. "Contract City" by Mark Falkin (Bancroft Press)
38. "Sky Key" by James Frey (Harper)
39. "Bad Blood" by Mary Monroe (Dafina Books)
40. "Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor" by Melanie Dobson (Howard)
41. "High Society Gangster II" by Thomas Long (Streetwise Publishing)
42. "Preschooled" by Anna Lefler (Full Fathom Five)
43. "Bounce" by Noelle August (William Morrow)
44. "Smoke" by Catherine McKenzie (Lake Union)
45. "Circled" by Anne McAneny (Farrington Press)
46. "Pleasantville" by Attica Locke (Harper)
47. "(Tom Clancy) Under Fire" by Grant Blackwood (Putnam)
48. "The Light of Hidden Flowers" by Jennifer Handford (Lake Union)
49. "The Boys in the Boat" by Daniel James Brown (Viking)
50. "Art in the Blood" by Bonnie Macbird (Collins Crime Club)

Conversations Top 50 Adult Non-Fiction Books of 2015 (listed in no particular order)

1. "Ordinary Light" by Tracy K. Smith (Alfred A. Knopf)
2. "Great Is the Truth" by Amos Kamil (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)
3. "The Missing Kennedy" by Elizabeth Koehler-Pentacoff (Bancroft Press)
4. "How to Live An Awesome Life" by Polly Campbell (Viva Editions)
5. "The Face That Changed It All" by Beverly Johnson (Atria Books)
6. "The Kindness Diaries" by Leon Logothetis (Reader's Digest)
7. "Legends: The Best Players, Games, and Teams in Football" by Howard Bryant (Philomel Books)
8. "Just Show Up" by Kara Tippets w/ Jill Lynn Buteyn (David C. Cook)
9. "It's Never Too Late" by Chris & Debbie Atkinson (Next Century Publishing)
10. "Out Of Orange" by Cleary Wolters (Harper One)
11. "Live More, Work Better" by Gayle Hilgendorff (Bascom Hill)
12. "Step Out of Your Story" by Kim Schneiderman (New World Library)
13. "Be the Best You Can Be" by Chicken Soup for the Soul (CSS Publishing)
14. "Pass It On" by Jim Burns & Jeremy Lee (David C. Cook)
15. "Creating A Beautiful Mess" by Ann Gadzikowski (Redleaf Press)
16. "Tweets and Consequences" by Mike Schlossberg (Strategic Media Books)
17. "Infinite Words" by Zane (Atria Books)
18. "Master Thieves" by Stephen Kurkjian (Public Affairs Books)
19. "The Mommie Dearest Diary" by Rutanya Alda (unknown)
20. "Corruption Officer" by Gary L. Heyward (Atria Books)
21. "A Splash of Kindness" by John Starley Allen (Cedar Fort)
22. "Pound for Pound" by Shannon Kopp (William Morrow)
23. "Eye on the Struggle" by James McGrath Morris (Amistad)
24. "Be A Good in the World" by Brenda Knight (Viva Editions)
25. "Pursuing Your Purpose" by Carl Mathis (Unknown)
26. "Expect A Miracle" by Jenny Long (Sports Illustrated)
27. "Bouncing Forward" by Michaela Haas (Enliven)
28. "One Righteous Man" by Arthur Browne (Beacon Press)
29. "Letters from My Father's Murderer" by Laurie A. Coombs (Kregel)
30. "One of Everything" by Donna Carol Voss (Vantages Books)
31. "Elgin Baylor" by Bijan C. Bayne (Rowman & Littlefield)
32. "Mindfulness A to Z" by Arnie Kozak (Wisdom)
33. "Tattered and Mended" by Cynthia Ruchti (Abingdon Press)
34. "My Gift of Now" by Elynne Chaplik-Aleskow (Mill City Press)
35. "Disagree and Stay in Love" by Liz SuperLibarian (Livre)
36. "From Chaos to Clarity" by Alex Bratty (Alex Bratty Books)
37. "Happiness A-Z" by Louise Baxter Harmon (Viva Editions)
38. "Healing the Writer" by Dan L. Hays (Virtual Book Worm Publishing)
39. "The Work" by Wes Moore (Spiegel & Grau)
40. "Find A Way" by Diana Niyad (Knopf)
41. "Venture Mom" by Holly Hurd (American Management Assoc.)
42. "Hope and other Luxuries" by Clare B. Dunkle (Chronicle Books)
43. "The Power of Being Yourself" by Joe Plumeri (Da Capo Press)
44. "Clearing Clutter" by Alexandra Chauran (Llewellyn Books)
45. "Three More Words" by Ashley Rhodes Courter (Atheneum)
46. "Keep A Knockin'" by Charles Connor (Waldorf Publishing)
47. "Somewhere There Is Still A Sun" by Michael Gruenbaum (Aladdin)
48. "Walking Out the Other Side" by Alan S. Charles (SJC Publishing)
49. "Elena Vanishing" by Elena and Clare B. Dunkle (Chronicle Books)
50. "Not From Here" by Allan G. Johnson (Temple University Press)

5 Incredibly Sexy Ways to Unleash More Romance & Passion into Your Life

by M. J. Duffy

Have you ever tried to attract more passion or romance in your life but it seems to elude you? Many people mistakenly believe that relationships are the only way to experience romance in their lives. The truth is that creating romance and passion starts with changing your thoughts and your attitude about yourself. Here are 5 ways to experience passion on a daily basis.

1. Accept yourself.

Bringing more passion and romance in your life requires you to appreciate and love yourself exactly as you are; flaws and all. The more love you give yourself, the more passion and romance will appear in your life. This is because romance and passion originate from love.

2. Treat yourself like the love of your life. A lot of times we look outside of ourselves to feel special and feel desired. The truth is that you need to desire yourself first and treat yourself like you are the number one person in your life. Give yourself compliments, flowers, love letters, or anything that makes you feel beautiful and you will attract more romance into your life.

3. Treat yourself to romantic outings.

Just because you are single does not mean that you have to miss out on living a life of passion and romance. Take time to pamper yourself spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally. Find out what makes you feel special and provide that to yourself on a daily basis.

4. Think hot, passionate thoughts…about yourself

If you want to attract more passion and romance, you must think positive thoughts

about yourself. Find something you love about yourself and tell yourself on a daily basis that you are beautiful and desirable. Thinking great thoughts about yourself will help draw more passion and romance in your life.

5. Do something sexy

In order to have more passion and romance in your life, watch a romantic movie, listen to romantic songs or read a romance novel. Studies show that reading romance novels releases dopamine, the same chemical in the brain that is secreted during sex.

There are many ways you can attract and maintain romance and passion in your life, but it all starts with having a healthy, happy and loving relationship with yourself.

An influential romance expert and paranormal romance author, M. J. Duffy helps the young and the young at heart have passionate, loving relationships and live better lives.

Her debut novel, Lost Love, is a deeply provocative thriller that captures the love, passion and betrayal that exist between two celestial soul mates as they encounter and battle evil that threatens to destroy them. For more information about M. J. Duffy, please visit her websites: www.zanklichronicles.com, www.mjduffy.net, and www.reading4life.com.

Three Literary Voices Come Together To Promote Reading In Mississippi

(Saturday, November 20, 2010) Mississippi may be seen as having one of the highest illiteracy rates in the country, but that is being chipped away each and every day by organizations like Conversations Book Club.

Under the leadership of Founder/President Cyrus Webb, Conversations Book Club began in Jackson, MS with only three members at the Medgar Evers Library in November 2006 but is now undesputedly the largest co-ed book club in the country with chapters in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and meetings in Tennessee. Now four years young, Conversations is continuing its mission of providing something for everyone.


On Saturday, November 20th, Webb hosted authors Joseph Henderson (I DON'T WANT TO DIE ALL ALONE), Diane Hassan (ANGELS AMONG US...EVEN IN IRAQ) and Tommie Watkins, Jr. (LIVING OUT LOUD) in events for the National Day of Reading in the cities of Jackson and Pearl in Mississippi.

The day began with "Breakfast with Books" where patrons at the Medgar Evers Library in Jackson, MS were treated with refreshments and an opportunity to socialize with the authors.
Stanley Clark, President of For The People Productions, joined the event as well. Being one of the founding members of Conversations, he shared his appreciation for the authors coming together to promote reading.


At the end of the event, author Diane Hassan donated a copy of her book to the library, presenting it to librarian Shirley Simmons.


The next stop was the Pearl Public Library in Pearl, MS. There authors Hassan and Watkins shared information about their books and talked about their individual experiences.


There Hassan donated a book as well, presenting it to the supervisor on duty.


Finally it was on to Appetizers Restaurant in Pearl, MS where the authors talked about their day and shared their plans for the new year.


To date Conversations Book Club has scheduled events for 93 authors since it began in November 2006, with many more already planned for the upcoming months. To stay in touch with Cyrus Webb and the Conversations literary movement, visit www.thebestbookclub.info or contact Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.214.0286.

If you are interested in more information about the authors, you can find it below:

Joseph Henderson --- http://www.joseph-henderson.com
Dr. Diane Hassan --- http://angelsamonguseveniniraq.blogspot.com
Tommie Watkins, Jr. --- http://www.twgllc.biz