Mississippi Native Encourages Others To "Take Time To Read"

(Monday, December 27, 2010) Though a lover of books all of his life, 35 year old Mississippi native Cyrus Webb didn't realize the true importance of words until his adult years. "For me reading was a means of escape and a way to learn about the world," he says. "Today I realize that in many cases it can be the deciding factor between success and failure."

Because of this, in 2006 Webb began what has become the United States largest co-ed reading group, Conversations Book Club. Over the past four years it has hosted literary events across the country, creating spin-offs that embrace sports and music lovers. To date Conversations Book Club has hosted free events featuring 93 authors in Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee and Georgia. "We are all about encouraging reading," says Webb. "Since that is our aim, we have to be all things to all people to get them involved."

Since Mississippi still ranks at the top of the list when it comes to illiteracy, Webb feels obligated to focus his main literary efforts at home. His organization Shadow Play Entertainment recently announced its theme for 2011 as "A Year Of New Beginnings". Though this applies to various areas in life, for Webb, helping others to fall in love with books is at the top of his list of priorities.

On Thursday, December 30, 2010, Webb will be visiting two libraries sharing his organizations message for the New Year and giving out free books for all ages to help others get started reading as soon as possible. From 10-12p.m., he will be at the Pearl Public Library (2416 Old Brandon Rd * Pearl, MS) and from 1-3p.m., he will be at the Margaret Walker Alexander Library (2525 Robinson St. * Jackson, MS). The books have been donated by Shadow Play Entertainment, Great Little Books, LLC and author Jackie Carpenter.

Webb also encourages individuals to visit his webpage www.taketimetoread.com and sign the pledge committing to reading in 2011.

For more information about events scheduled by Conversations Book Club around the United States, visit www.thebestbookclub.info. Cyrus Webb can be reached at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616. His website is www.cyruswebb.com.

Jan. 10-15, 2010: This Week On Conversations LIVE! Radio

>(Jan. 10-15, 2010) Over the next six days, Cyrus Webb and Conversations LIVE! Radio will introduce you to individuals who are making their mark in 2010. To listen to any of the shows live, visit www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive or listen through the switchboard at 1.347.426.3645.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 2010 @ 7p.m. EST (6p.m. CST/4p.m. PT) -- Author David Goldberg tells us the inspiration of his book HOW TO DEAL WITH WHITE PEOPLE and the dialogue he hopes to begin with it.


SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 2010 @ 7:30p.m. EST (6:30p.m. CST/4:30p.m. PT) --- Recording artist and author Jacki-O makes her first visit to Conversations to talk about her life, her music and the upcoming book RELENTLESS.


SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 2010 @ 7:45p.m. EST (6:45p.m. CST/4:45p.m. PT) --- Herschel Dixon returns for "Herschel D's Weekly Sports Wrap-Up".

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2010 @ 1p.m. EST (12p.m. CST/10a.m. PT) --- Author Steven Young talks about the events in his life that led to the writing of CHANGED DESTINY.


MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2010 @ 8p.m. EST (7p.m. CST/5p.m. PT) --- Author Icen talks to Conversations about EMPTY PLEASURES.


MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2010 @ 8:30p.m. EST (7:30p.m. CST/5:30p.m. PT) --- Recording artist Kut Supreme returns to Conversations LIVE! to discuss his new album TRIAL AND ERROR.


MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2010 @ 8:45p.m. EST (7:45p.m. CST/5:45p.m. PT) --- Our resident chef Bruce Tretter is back for his weekly segment QUICK AND EASY COOKING.


TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2010 @ 1p.m. EST (12p.m. CST/10a.m. PT) --- Author Janice Longpre talks about the life use to live and the book A PLACE IN TIME.


TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2010 @ 8p.m. EST (7p.m. CST/5p.m. PT) --- Author Carrie J. Keaton talks her writing career and what's new for her in 2010.


WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2010 @ 1p.m. EST (12p.m. CST/10a.m. PT) --- Author/Motivational Speaker Kimberly Yorio returns to Conversations to talk about what advice she is giving for the New Year.


WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2010 @ 8p.m. EST (7p.m. CST/5p.m. PT) --- Author Phil Simon talks about his new book WHY NEW SYSTEMS FAIL.


THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2010 @ 1p.m. EST (12p.m. CST/10a.m. PT) --- Author/Motivational Speaker Tony Gaskins, Jr. talks about his success, the lessons he has learned from his experiences and what's next.


THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2010 @ 8p.m. EST (7p.m. CST/5p.m. PT) --- Author Jonathan Gaines talks about his new book NO REST FOR THE WEARY.


FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2010 @ 1p.m. EST (12p.m. CST/10a.m. PT) --- Author Rebecca Newberger Goldstein talks about her new book.


Missed the live shows? Hear the podcast by going to www.conversationsliveradio.com. Interested in being a guest or advertising with Conversations Book Club or Conversations LIVE! Radio? Contact Cyrus Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616.

Jan. 3-8, 2010: This Week on Conversations LIVE! Radio

Over the past six years, Cyrus Webb and Conversations LIVE! Radio have been bringing the world some of the best in interviews, discussion of current events in the headlines and exciting guests. Now in its first full week of 2010, look for that trend to continue...


SUNDAY, JANUARY 3, 2010 @ 7p.m. EST (6p.m. CST/4p.m. PT) --- Join Author T. C. Alexander in her first primetime interview to discuss what led her to writing and her book CONSEQUENCES OF ADULTERY.


MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2010 @ 1p.m. EST (12p.m. CST/10a.m. PT) --- Author Christopher Valen talks about his beginnings as a writer and what to expect in the New Year.


MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2010 @ 8p.m. EST (7p.m. CST/5p.m. PT) --- The Authors In Matrimony talk about writing as a husband and wife team and their debut novel THE UGLY TRUTH.


TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2010 @ 1p.m. EST (12p.m. CST/10a.m. PT) --- Author and Literary Jill Vanderwood talks about what led her to write children's book, what she has been doing to promote reading and what is coming up next for her.


TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2010 @ 8p.m. EST (7p.m. CST.5p.m. PT) --- Author Dee Sanderson talks about relationships and her new book HOW TO MARRY A LOSER WITHOUT EVEN TRYING.


WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2010 @ 1p.m. EST (12p.m. CST/10a.m. PT) --- Ethan Austin, co-founder of GIVE FORWARD talks about the organization, the power of giving and how books tie into his resolutions for 2010.


WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2010 @ 8p.m. EST (7p.m. CST/5p.m. PT) --- Author Steve Hyppolite talks about his new book A WARRIOR'S PASSAGE and how he hopes it sparks dialogue about what it means to leave a legacy behind.


WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2010 @ 8:30p.m. EST (7:30p.m. CST/5:30p.m. PT) --- Author Ish Major, M. D. talks relationships and his new book LITTLE WHITE WHYS


THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2010 @ 8p.m. EST (7p.m. CST/5p.m. PT) --- Thought-provoking and sometimes controversial author Keifer Bonvillian talks about his investigative style and the new book The Broken Road.


FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2010 @ 1p.m. EST (12p.m. CST/10a.m. PT) --- Author Steve Young talks about his life as a writer and his plans for the New Year.


FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2010 @ 2:30 p.m. EST (1:30p.m. CST/11:30a.m. PT) --- Robyn Okrant aka LO talks about her year long project to live the life outlined by the Queen of Talk and her book LIVING OPRAH.



Listen to any of the above interviews LIVE at their listed showtime by going to www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive. or by calling the studio to listen live at 1.347.426.3645. After the live shows, they are podcasted at www.conversationsliveradio.com.