Conversations' 12 Books You Should Read in August 2018

With August 9th being recognized as National Book Lovers Day, Conversations Book Club President Cyrus Webb is excited to share 12 books he believes would be great reads for the month of August.

"Reading is something I do year-round," says Webb, who will celebrate 12 years of Conversations Book Club this November. "I'm always excited to let others know what I have read and enjoyed and what I think they will as well."

A mixture of non-fiction and fiction, self-published and traditionally published, these twelve books were able to grab Webb's attention and it is his hope that they will do the same for you. 

(listed in no particular order)

1. "Act Like You love Yourself" by Lester Greene (Infinity Publications)
2. "My Dream Continues" by Sharon Clarkson (S. Clarkson)
3. "The Forgotten Ones" by Steena Holmes (Lake Union)
4. "Another Bump in the Road" by TM Brown (TM Brown)
5. "Blackberry Road" by Jodi Lea Stewart (Sundown Press)
6. "Blindsided and Ambushed" "From by Lisa Y. Sparrow (BlaqRayn Publishing Plus)
7. "A War in the Bronx" by A. Shane Etter (Thomas Max Publishing)
8. "Death Logs Out" by E.J. Simon (Endeavour Media Ltd)
9. "From Abuse to Abundance" by Dr. Jamila Battle (Battle Publishing)
10. "The Widow of Wall Street" by Randy Susan Meyers (Washington Square Press)
11. "Envy" by Victoria Christopher Murray (Touchstone)
12. "The Unkind Hours" by Dwayne Alexander Smith (Damn Good Books)

For more great suggestions on reads for all ages bookmark www.conversaitonsbookclub.com. 

Conversations' 25 Summer Reads for Adults in 2018

It is one of Conversations' most popular lists: our 25 Summer Reads of each year. Handpicked and read by book club President, media personality and author Cyrus Webb, this list is sure to have something that you will want to add to your own reading list, covering both fiction and non-fiction interests.

Conversations' 25 Summer Reads for Adults, 2018 (in no particular order)

1. "Welcome to Moonlight Harbor" by Sheila Roberts (Mira Books)
2. "Three Shoeboxes" by Steven Manchester (The Story Plant)
3. "Racism from the Eyes of a Child" by Mathew Knowles (Music World Publishing)
4. "I've Got My Eyes On You" by Mary Higgins Clark (Simon and Schuster)
5. "Another Bump in the Road" by T.M. Brown (T.M. Brown)
6. "Dog and Bitch Island" by Robert Blake Whitehill (Calaveras Media)
7. "Firestorm" by Solange Ritchie (Stony Hill Publishers)
8. "Flight Season" by Marie Marquardt (Wednesday Books)
9. "The Escape Artist" by Brad Meltzer (Grand Central Publishing)
10. "Woman Last Seen In Her Thirties" by Camille Pagan (Lake Union)
11. "Jenna's Case" by Andy Siegel (Rockwell Press)
12. "Abyss" by D.G. Torrens (D.G. Torrens)
13. "I Give My Eyes" by Brian H. Peterson (Due Santi)
14. "Envy" by Victoria Christopher Murray (Touchstone)
15. "Happy Accidents" by Four Day Weekend Comedy (Wiley)
16. "Death Logs Out" by E.J. Simon (Endeavour Media)
17. "Welcome to My World" by Curtis Bunn (Strebor Books)
18. "Love and Death Among Pigeons" by Lawrence A. Wood (Lawrence A. Wood)
19. "Bad Men and Wicked Women" by Eric Jerome Dickey (Dutton)
20. "Think Like A Winner: Act Like You Won" by Carl Mathis (Carl Mathis)
21. "The Way of Beauty" by Camille Di Maio (Lake Union)
22. "The Gospel According to Abraham" by Paul Abraham (thewordverve)
23. "In Praise of Difficult Women" by Karen Karbo (National Geographic)
24. "The Cutting Edge" by Jeffery Deaver (Grand Central Publishing)
25. "Delta Epiphany: RFK in Mississippi" by Ellen B. Meacham (University Press of Mississippi)

Conversations Book Club Celebrates 11 Years, Welcomes Author Robert Leon Davis

When media personality and author Cyrus Webb started the co-ed book club Conversations in 2006 it was with the purpose of connecting readers with authors, giving them a platform to interact with one another. Over the past decade Conversations Book Club has hosted over 200 authors and author-related events and been featured locally in Mississippi’s Clarion Ledger and Jackson Advocate Newspaper and nationally by the Chicago Tribune. Men, women and even children of all ages have benefited from the free reading group, and Webb has been able to show that reading is a universal connector with people around the world.

As Conversations Book Club celebrates its 11th year, Webb is excited to announce that the event is being kicked off by hosting author Robert Leon Davis, whose book RUNNING SCARED is now in talks to become a movie. The book chronicles Davis’ journey from respected police officer to fugitive and what led him to turn things around for himself.

“Davis and I connected in 2011,” Webb says, having interviewed the author on Conversations LIVE the radio show at that time. “I knew then the book and his story was powerful. I’m glad that a larger audience will be able to benefit from its message of redemption.”

On Saturday, October 7th Robert Leon Davis will join Webb in person in Mississippi in the following three events that are not to be missed:
• At 9:30a.m. Webb will host a special “Breakfast with Books” with author Robert Leon Davis at Taste of Detroit Restaurant in Brandon, MS (1530 W. Government St. * Brandon, MS). Those who attend can buy breakfast and enjoy the hour of conversation with the author.
• At 2p.m. central the two will be on LIVE on the radio station WYAD 94.1 FM in Yazoo City discussing the book, Davis’ experiences that led him to write it and what he hopes readers take away from it. The show can be heard live online around the world at www.wyadonline.com.
• At 6p.m. Webb will do a meet and greet with Davis at Appetizers Restaurant (3000 Hwy 80 E * Pearl, MS), giving those who attend an opportunity to learn more about the book and its message. The first 10 people to show up for the special 90-minute event will eat free!

For more information about this special day of activity with author Robert Leon Davis contact Cyrus Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or call 601.896.5616.  RUNNING SCARED can be purchased on Amazon at www.tinyurl.com/runningscaredbook .

Conversations Reveals Its Top 100 Books of 2016

It has become a fan favorite of authors and readers alike: Conversations’ Top 100 Books of the year celebrates the work of authors both traditionally published and self-published who book club founder and media personality Cyrus Webb has enjoyed throughout the year.

As Conversations Book Club celebrates it’s 10 Year Anniversary this year, Webb is excited to share this year’s listing that includes books that readers around the world will appreciate.

Get the full listing here: http://cyruswebb.com/books/conversations-top-100-books-of-2016/

Cyrus Webb reviews BEST FRIENDS FOREVER by Kimberla Lawson Roby

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)