Conversations' Presents Its Top 150 Books of 2011

It is one of Conversations' most anticipated events of the year: the revealing of its picks for Top Books. Book Club President and Founder Cyrus Webb always looks forward to sharing his list, however, this year he ran into some challenges.

"Normally we do the Top 100 Books of the year," says Webb, 36. "I just couldn't do it this time around. There were so many great titles that we had to expand the list to 150." Webb personally reads each title and has interviewed almost every author on his radio show Conversations LIVE, making the list even more personal. "It's a privilege to talk with the authors and get to share what they hope readers take away from their work," he says. "It also helps me to introduce individuals to authors they may have only heard or read about."

This year's list like each before it features books that have been released by major publishing houses, small presses and even self-published outlets. It has been Webb's goal to give everyone the same treatment as he gathers this listing, and he hopes it will also shine a light on books that are worthy of exposure but may not get alot of attention.

Conversations' Top 150 Books of 2011 will be featured in the Dec./Jan. issue of Conversations Magazine coming out Mon. November 28, 2011. Enjoy and make sure to add as many as you can to your own reading list.



Nonfiction Titles --- (Listed in no particular order)
1. "Never Give Up", Ruthe Rosen (Cypress House)
2. "The Playful & Powerful Warrior Within You!", GJ Reynolds (Beachlifestyle Publishing)
3. "Instant America", Lawrence Salone (LSS Publications)
4. "Spiritually Rich & Sexy", Pamela Jo McQuade (DreamSculpt Mindful Media)
5. "Practical Glamour", Constance Dunn (RLD Publications)
6. "Teddy Bear: Stolen Innocence", Loren Due, Ph. D. (JL King Publishing/Dr. Due Books)
7. "Georgia Justice," Jackie Carpenter (Xulon Press)
8. "The Handbook of Love", Bruce L. Thompson, Jr. (unknown)
9. "The Warmth of Other Suns," Isabel Wilkerson (Random House)
10. "Raised Right", Alisa Harris (Waterbrook Press)
11. "Rise Above", Greg Little (Dog Ear Publishing)
12. "The Life and Times of Willie Holloway", Minister Willie Holloway (Christian Services Network)
13. "Miracle Man: 100 Days with Oliver", Robert B. Haas (Bascom Hill)
14. "I Beat The Odds", Michael Oher (Gotham Books)
15. "Lost Edens", Jamie Patterson (Beaver's Pond Press)
16. "Irrepressible: The Life & Times of Jessica Mitford", Leslie Brody (Counterpoint Press)
17. "The Inspired Life," Susyn Reeve (Viva Editions)
18. "Enlightenment of Evil", Don English (unknown)
19. "Death & Oil", Brad Matsen (Pantheon Books)
20. "Moxie For Managers", Ann Tardy (Fishhead Publshing)
21. "Walking In The Deep End", Susan Parker (Silver Threads)
22. "Beyond Success," Jeffrey L. Gitterman (Amacom)
23. "Chili Pimping In Atlantic City," Michael "Mick-Man" Gourdine (Strategic Media Books)
24. "Who Is She & What Is She To You?", Pretty Tony (World Movement Records)
25. "Let My People Go," Lynn D. Cawthorne (Inkwater Press)
26. "Where Am I Going?," Michelle Cromer (Balboa Press)
27. "Smarter, Faster, Cheaper," David Siteman Garland (Wiley)
28. "Le Freak," Nile Rodgers (Spiegel and Grau)
29. "Straight From The Hood," Ron Chepesiuk & Scott Wilson (Strategic Media Books)
30. "Gridlock," Pardis Mahdavi (Stanford University Press)
31. "Evel," Leigh Montville (Doubleday)
32. "The Veil of Victory," Yorli Huff (Engendering Strength, Inc.)
33. "All I Know About Management I Learned From My Dog," Martin P. Levin (Skyhorse Publishing)
34. "How Could My Husband Be Gay?," Ondrea L. Davis & J'son M. Lee (Foresight Publishing)
35. "The Disease of More," Eleanor R. (Take Charge Books)
36. "Theology For A Violent Age," Woody Carter, PhD. (iUniverse)
37. "The Available Parent," Dr. John Duffy (Viva Editions)
38. "Once Upon A Recesssion," Selwa Hamati (3L Publishing, LLC)
39. "One Isley Brother's Daughter," Elizabeth Ann Isley (Xlibris)
40. "Start It Up," Kenrya Rankin (Zest Books)
41. "One Minute Mindfulness," Donald Altman (New World Library)
42. "A Book Of Miracles," Dr. Bernie S. Siegel ( New World Library)
43. "The Soul Solution," Jonathan Parker (New World Library)
44. "The Paper Garden," Molly Peacock (Bloomsbury)
45. "The Long Hello," Cathie Borrie (Nightwing Press)
46. "Bad Dog (A Love Story), Martin Kihn (Pantheon Books)
47. "It's OK To Tell," Lauren Book (Prospecta Press)
48. "The Stovepipe," Bonnie E. Virag (Langdon Street Press)
49. "The Persistence of the Color Line," Randall Kennedy (Pantheon Books)
50. "Arrival City," Doug Saunders (Pantheon Books)
51. "Manufacturing Hysteria," Jay Feldman (Pantheon Books)
52. "One Bowl: simple Healthy Recipes For One," Stephanie Bostic (CreateSpace)
53. "New York Fashion Week," Eila Mell (Running Press)
54. "Pervis Principles," Pervis Taylor III (Right Angle Entertainment)
55. "Sharing The Victory," Jill Ewert (Summerside Press)
56. "The Neelys' Celebration Cookbook," Pat & Gina Neeley (Knopf)
57. "The Third Wave," Alison Thompson (Spiegel & Grau)
58. "Rise & Fall of a Track Star," Omegia Keeys (Passionate Writer Publishing)
59. "Passion = Success," April Pickering (Two Harbors Press)
60. "Something Inside of Me," Chitoka Webb (Emerald Book Co.)
61. "Life Is What You Make It," Carl Mathis (Tate Publishing)
62. "Equal Verdicts," Antonne M. Jones (Clear Vision Publishing Co.)
63. "Mr. Date Night," Cary Farley (3L Publishing)
64. "It's Always Personal," Anne Kreamer (Random House)
65. "Love Shrinks," Sharyn Wolf (Soho Press)
66. "What A Wonderful World," Ricky Riccardi (Pantheon Books)
67. "Be Different," John Elder Robison (Crown Publishing)
68. "Expand This Moment," John Selby (New World Library)
69. "I Had Every Excuse To Fail, But I Chose None," Sebastian K. Young (Skybash)
70. "How I Broke My Addiction To White Women," Skip Masters (Masterful Books)
71. "Master of Disguises," James Benjamin (Authorhouse)
72. "Breakthrough," Shea Vaughn (Health Communications, Inc.)
73. "Eat Naked," Margaret Floyd (New Harbinger Publications)
74. "Kiss Me Quick Before I Shoot," Guy Magar (Sea Script Co.)


Fiction Titles (Listed in no particular order)
1. "Half-Past Dawn," Richard Doetsch (Atria Books)
2. "Just Wanna Testify," Pearl Cleage (Ballantine Books)
3. "Aloha!", Stephen A. Enna & Dennis J. Wootten (Authorhouse)
4. "Now You See Her," Joy Fielding (Atria Books)
5. "The Kitchen Daughter," Jael McHenry (Gallery Books)
6. "Allegro," Adora Bennett (Genesis Press)
7. "Split Second," Catherine Coulter (G. P. Putnam's Sons)
8. "Money Can't Buy Love," Connie Briscoe (Grand Central Publishing)
9. "Contrary Creek," Tom Walker & Mary Walker Baron (Wheatmark)
10. "Damned," Chuck Palahniuk (Doubleday)
11. "Caught In The Middle," Jennifer Luckett (nHouse Publishing)
12. "Come Sunday Morning," Terry E. Hill (Urban Renaissance)
13. "Strategic Moves," Stuart Woods (G. P. Putnam's Sons)
14. "Blood On The Pen," David Huffstetler (Wild Child Publishing)
15. "Feed Me," Nigel Barto (unknown)
16. "Bridge of the Single Hair," Candida Pugh (Langdon Street Publishing)
17. "A Good Excuse To Be Bad," Miranda Parker (Kensington Books)
18. "The Stormchasers," Jenna Blum (Plume/Penguin)
19. "Beneath The Surface," Roy Glenn (Escapism Entertainment)
20. "Aleron," Kane (Passionate Writer Publishing)
21. "The Safehouse," T. Thomas Ackerman (Outskirts Press)
22. "Pimpin Ain't No Illusion," Mississippi Slim (Struggle 4 Mine Publications)
23. "Justify My Thug," Wahida Clark (Cash Money Content)
24. "Witches Of East End," Melissa de la Cruz (Hyperion)
25. "The Murderer's Daughters," Randy Susan Meyers (St. Martin's Griffin)
26. "The Revelation Gate," Brian L. Thompson (Great Nation Publishing)
27. "The Hum & the Shiver," Alex Bledsoe (Tor Paperback)
28. "Murder Mamas," Ashley & JaQuavis (Urban Books)
29. "The Butterfly's Daughter," Mary Alice Monroe (Gallery Books)
30. "A Dream Before Dying," Tony Scott Macauley (Dancing House Publishing)
31. "Riding The Corporate Ladder," Keith Thomas Walker (Genesis Press)
32. "The Kykuit Bunker," Steven Janke (Landgon Street Press)
33. "The Last of the Good Guys," Ernesto Patino (L&L Dreamspell)
34. "Survivors," James Welsey, Rawles (Atria Books)
35. "Family Storms," V. C. Andrews (Simon and Schuster)
36. "Finding Frances," Janice M. Van Dyck (Winston Higgins Press)
37. "The Collectibles," James J. Kaufman (Downstream Publishing)
38. "The Albuquerque Turkey," John Vorhaus (Crown Publishing)
39. "Exposure," Therese Fowler (Ballantine Books)
40. "Chain Reaction," Ross E. Goldstein (unknown)
41. "The Robbin' Hoods," Ericka Williams (E-Sharan Publications)
42. "More Boy Than Girl," Tony Lindsay (Penknife Press)
43. "Scattered Lies 3," Madison (Influential Writers Publishing)
44. "Journal of a UFO Investigator," David Halperin (Viking)
45. "He Beat Past My Skin," Jessica Green (iUniverse)
46. "Soul Trapper," F. J. Lennon (Atria Books)
47. "The King Of Diamonds," Simon Tolkien (Minotaur Books)
48. "I Take This Woman," Chamein Canton (Genesis Press)
49. "Transitions," Cathy Jo (Twisted Word Publishing)
50. "Dancing Her Dreams Away," Alretha Thomas (Diverse Arts Collective)
51. "The Dog Who Knew Too Much," Spencer Quinn (Atria Books)
52. "Water's Edge," Robert Whitlow ( Thomas Nelson)
53. "Good Graces," Lesley Kagen (Dutton)
54. "The Winters In Bloom," Lisa Tucker (Atria Books)
55. "The Dawn Country," Kathleen O'Neal & W. Michael Gear (Forge)
56. "The First Law," Richard L. Ragle (MedArt Publications)
57. "Postcards From Nam," Uyen Nicole Duong (Amazon Encore)
58. "The Disgruntled Wives Club," Portia A. Cosby (Distinct Publishing)
59. "Blitz," Ebonee Monique (Peace In The Storm Publishing)
60. "Altamont Augie," Richard Barager (Interloper Press)
61. "Later With Myself: The Misadventures of Millie Moskowitz," Sheryl Sorrentino (unknown)


Top Books Designed For Our Youth
1. "Growing Pains," K. P. Smith (Doin It Publishing)
2. "Of Thee I Sing," Barack Obama (Alfred A. Knoff)
3. "Stuck," Rhonda Martin (Jabberwocky Books)
4. "Hunka Chunka Monkey Shapes Up," Sam E. Bromley (Jabberwocky Books)
5. "Before There Was Mozart," Lesa Cline-Ransome (Schwartz & Wade Books)
6. "The Sons Of Liberty: Death & Taxes," Alexander & Joseph Lagos (Random House)
7. "Baby Barbells," Joshua Levitt, ND (Running Press)
8. "Mr. Pish's Woodland Adventure," K. S. Brooks (Cambridge Books)
9. "The Fenway Foul-Up," David A. Kelly (Stepping Stones Books)
10. "Of Mouse & Magic," Allan R. Gall (Two Harbors Press)
11. "Trouble In Troublesome Creek," Nancy Kelly Allen (Red Rock Press)
12. "Hothead," Cal Ripken, Jr. (Random House)
13. "The Berlin Boxing Club," Robert Sharenow (Harper Collins Publishers)
14. "The ABC Field Guide to Faeries," Susanne Alexander-Heaton (Friesens Corp.)
15. "Teen Girls Need L.O.V.E.," S. Dodson (Mahogney Ink Publications)

For more information about Conversations' Top 150 Books of 2011 make sure to visit www.thebestbookclub.info. Have questions about titles or interested in getting your book on an upcoming list? Contact Cyrus Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616. CONVERSATIONS: Feeding your love of life!

Rankin County Uses Book Discussion To Address Hate Crimes, Death Penalties During Racial Reconciliation Month

(Pearl, MS)Conversations Book Club President and Rankin County native Cyrus Webb will be hosting a book signing and moderating a free discussion of Mississippi native John Grisham's book A TIME TO KILL on Wed. October 19, 2011 at the Pearl Public Library ( 2416 Old Brandon Road * Pearl, MS). The meeting, which will begin at 6p.m., is geared towards sharing thoughts about the book but how it ironically addresses two of the big issues on the national stage right now: hate crimes and the death penalty.

Webb, 36, decided to use the book as the club's monthly selection because of the national attention that has been brought to Mississippi once again due to the death of a black man in Jackson, MS in June 2011 allegedly committed by a white teen from Rankin County strictly because of his race. After the recent execution of Troy Davis in Jackson, GA, however, Webb knew that the book club would be one of the best ways to not only address the issues but give individuals a structured place to have a real conversation.

For Webb, A TIME TO KILL was just the right book. "It has more than just the elements of good against evil," Webb says. "There are real moral issues that the book addresses, and it does it in a way that makes you question how you really feel about the issues. In some cases there is no clear definition of right and wrong."


Before the discussion begins Mississippi native Alean Adams will be signing her book WAY BEYOND PISGAH beginning at 5p.m. Her book chronicles her own fight with racism in the state and what she and others did to combat it.

Admission to both events is free and open to the public. For more information contact Cyrus Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616. You can also visit www.thebestbookclub.info.

BOOK REVIEW: "Come Sunday Morning" by Terry E. Hill

by Cyrus Webb for Conversations Book Club/ www.conversationsmag.com

After an almost eight year hiatus, author Terry E. Hill returns to the literary scene with what is a complete literary treat: Come Sunday Morning. While his first novel (Inside The Fall) took us into the complicated and sometimes corrupted world of politics, Hill's sophomore offering leads us right into the church and the double life of celebrated Pastor Hezekiah T. Cleaveland. He seems to have it all: a massive and adoring congregation as well as a equally compelling wife and beautiful daughter, but as in so many cases in life, nothing is ever as it appears to be.

Though the back cover explains a great deal of what the book is about, Hill once again gives us a backstory and character development that makes him such a gifted storyteller. You see, not only is Pastor Cleaveland being unfaithful to the vows he made to his wife and the church, he is being just as unfaithful to himself. In his quest to have everything that he wants, he loses himself and becomes a mirror that reflects the hopes and aspirations of others.

Ironically,though, it is during his unfaithfulness that the Pastor is able to finally admit the truth. "I've never loved anyone, or even myself, as much as I love you," he says to his lover. "No one has ever forced me to look beyond myself and my own needs or my own ego...You've made me realize I've never really cared for anyone and didn't think I had the capacity to. My world has always been about me, and what I desired more than life itself. I wanted power and all that came with it---fame, wealth, and respect. Well, I've done it. I have it all, and when I got it, I began to hate myself more than I had ever hated my worst enemy. All I could see staring back at me in the mirror was a hollow, lonely man who had traded his soul just to be recognized when he walked down the street..."

What a remarkable confession, and it is one that no matter what your profession many can relate to. How many of us have given up what we really want just to go after what we feel like will make us look the best to the world. Pastor Cleaveland showcases that not only do we have the potential to destroy ourselves but those that we have involved in our facade of a life---sometimes with irreversible consequences. It is also important to realize that with much of life, what's done in the dark will ultimately come to the light.

Come Sunday Morning is just the kind of book we needed to start off the year, not just because it is an entertaining read, but as any literary work worth its salt, it sparks a much-needed discussion. Kudos to Terry E. Hill for once again showcasing that some things get better with age. This is a book that will be talked about for some time to come.

To find out more about the author, visit www.terryehill.com.

Author Jackie Carpenter's Visit To MS: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

(Saturday, January 8, 2011) Day two with author Jackie Carpenter completed what was an amazing visit of inspiration, hope and the assurance of the light at the end of the tunnel of whatever we are going through.

NOTE: If you missed the report from Day 1 of Jackie's visit to Mississippi, read it here: http://conversationsbookclub.blogspot.com/2011/01/frijan-7-2011-cbc-report-author-jackie.html

Cyrus Webb of Conversations Book Club began the day at the Crossgates area Subway Restaurant discussing the message of Carpenter's book THE BRIDGE and the importance of faith when it comes to challenges in life.

Joining the conversation was long-time friend of the book club Jennifer Vess.

From there it was on the Pearl Public Library where for two straight hours, Jackie was able to meet patrons and library employees, sharing her book and what she hopes they take away from it.




OVER 30 COPIES of THE BRIDGE made its way into the hands of individuals who seemed excited to not only meet the author but take home something that could help them as they deal with their own problems in life.

Conversations Book Club wishes to personally thank Ramesh Gajjar and the staff at Subway Crossgates in Brandon, the staff of the Pearl Public Library, book club supporter Annette Brown and all those who made day two of this literary event a success.

To find out more about Jackie and her book, visit www.bridgetoamiracle.com. To stay abreast of other events hosted by Conversations Book Club, visit www.thebestbookclub.info.

(Fri.Jan. 7, 2011) CBC Report: Author Jackie Carpenter's Visit To Mississippi, Day One

(Friday, January 7, 2011) Shadow Play Entertainment and Conversations Book Club welcomed Jackie Carpenter, author of THE BRIDGE, to Mississippi on Friday, January 7, 2011 to begin her two day promotion of the book and how her faith helped guide her through a dark chapter of her life.

Hosted by Conversations' President Cyrus Webb and co-sponsored by Stanley Clark of For The People Productions, the day began at Medgar Evers Library in South Jackson. There Carpenter shared snippets of her life story and how the inspiration for the book came about.


Those in attendance listened intently as she explained that it was never her intention to become an author, but God had other plans.
Before leaving the library, she also donated a copy of her book to them so it can be shared with the patrons.

While in Jackson, Webb and Carpenter stopped by Clear Channel's radio offices to drop off a copy of the book for Nikki Dulaney of Hallelujah 95.5 FM for consideration for her book club selections.


From there, the group was on its way to Pearl, MS where Webb introduced Carpenter to some of the staff at the Pearl Public Library, and she donated copies of her book THE BRIDGE to them for use by their patrons.


As it would be, Conversations Book Club supporter and evangelist Diane Johnston was also present at the library, and was able to get a copy of Carpenter's book as well!

Next stop was Milestone Christian Bookstore where Carpenter was able to talk with management about her book and even laid the groundwork for a future signing at the stop when she returns to Mississippi!


The final stop of the day was at DSI, the renal center where Webb's grandmother is on dialysis. Several nurses from the Mississippi State Hospital had expressed interest to Webb about their love of books, and he was able to introduce them to the visiting author, share her book and the message she hopes they get from it.


The overall message that Jackie Carpenter shared was this: "I had to go through the test in order to have a testimony, and I had to endure the mess so I could have a message." What an incredible way to look at tests and trials that we all go through!

Find out more about Jackie Carpenter and her inspiring book at www.bridgetoamiracle.com. Shadow Play Entertainment and For The People Productions thanks the author, her family and everyone who shared the day with them. Day Two will include events in Brandon and Pearl, Mississippi. Details can be found at www.thebestbookclub.info.