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)

Conversations Book Club host "Summer Reading at Subway" in Brandon, MS

In an effort to encourage reading throughout the summer months, Conversations Book Club President Cyrus Webb of Brandon, MS has teamed up with Subway Restaurant (220 E Government St) in Brandon, MS to host "Summer Reading at Subway" during the month of June.

Joining Webb during the month of June will be fellow Mississippi children's book authors Glenda L. Hunter of Clinton, MS and Stephanie Mitchell of Jackson, MS.

The first 3 Saturdays in June (June 6,13,20) from 9-10a.m. the authors will be not just sharing great books but encouraging their creativity as well with coloring and activity sheets.

On Sat. June 6th Webb will be reading 3 books that he co-wrote: A.J. and the Talent Show, Standria's Big Dream and Marv's Healthy Choice. (each book is great for kids up to age 10)

On Sat. June 13th Glenda L. Hunter will be hosting a free writing workshop for ages 7-12, showing them how they can take their ideas to print.

On Sat. June 20th Stephanie Mitchell will be reading her book Bella's Dancing Lesson. (great for kids up to age 10)

Admission to each week's event is free, however, attendees are invited to take advantage of the great food specials at Subway, including their kid's menu.

For more details about "Summer Reading at Subway" contact Cyrus Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616. You can also visit www.conversationsbookclub.com.

Conversations Book Club Releases Top 100 Books of 2014

Conversations Book Club President and media personality Cyrus Webb is excited to release his picks for Top 100 Books of 2014.

"The authors did not make this an easy assignment this year," says Webb, 39, who began the list in 2007 after forming the reading group Conversations Book Club. "I have read hundreds of great books this year, but these 100 (50 Fiction and 50 Non-Fiction) that I have picked are truly the best of the best for adults."

As has been his custom since beginning his 'Top Books' list, Webb also identifies the publishers of the books. "I thought this was important because several of the books share publishers. I think this is a sign that those are publishing houses to watch and support. I also want to recognize the hard work that each publisher has gone through to release great books."

The other thing you will notice about Conversations' Top 100 Books listing is that it is one of the most diverse in the industry, highlighting self-published titles as well as those by small presses and major publishing houses. "A great book is a great book," says Webb. "It doesn't matter who publishes it. The books this year are the best because of the author's dedication to excellence. I hope that is something aspiring writers appreciate and take note of."

Without any further ado, here are Conversations Book Club's Top 100 Books of 2014:

Top 50 Non-Fiction Books of 2014 (listed in no particular order):

1. Connected to Goodness by David Meltzer (Balboa Press)
2. This is Ridiculous. This is Amazing by Jason Good (Chronicle Books)
3. All You Need Is Less by Madeleine Somerville (Viva Editions)
4. Burning the Midnight Oil by Phil Cousineau (Viva Editions)
5. Stop. Breathe. Believe. by Dianne Morris Jones (unknown)
6. The Wisdom We're Born With by Daniel Gottlieb (Sterling Ethos)
7. The World Is (Y)ours by Kurtis Lee Thomas (Brainyacts Publishing)
8. Jazzchild: A Portrait of Sheila Jordan by Ellen Johnson (Rowman & Littlefield)
9. Fire Shut Up In My Bones by Charles M. Blow (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
10. Elvis & Ginger by Ginger Alden (Berkley)
11. 9,000 Miles of Fatherhood by Kirk Millson (Plain Sight Publishing)
12. Burning Down the House by Nell Bernstein (The New Press)
13. Rescuing Julia Twice by Tina Traster (Chicago Review Press)
14. Built to Lead by David Long (Next Century)
15. Never Ever Give Up by Erik Rees (Zondervan)
16. Resister by Bruce Dancis (Cornell University Press)
17. I'll Drink to That by Betty Halbreich (Penguin Press)
18. One Less. One More. by Robbie Vorhaus (Storytelling, Inc.)
19. The Harm In Asking by Sara Barron (Three Rivers Press)
20. Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson (Nancy Paulsen Books/Penguin)
21. Jerry Lee Lewis by Rick Bragg (Harper)
22. Invincible by Brian F. Martin (Perigee/Penguin)
23. Mojo For Sale by Katandra Jackson Nunnally (FreedomInk)
24. Secrets to Surrender by Debby Akerman (New Hope Publishers)
25. Reboot Your Life by Chicken Soup for the Soul (Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing)
26. The Concrete Killing Fields by Pat Morgan (Mile High Press)
27. Tomlinson Hill by Chris Tomlinson (Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martins Press)
28. Be An Icon by Kenneth Nkemnacho (Kenneth Vision Media)
29. Fulfilled by Joey Lankford (B&H Publishing Group)
30. The Budget-Friendly Fresh and Local Diabetes Cookbook by Charles Mattocks (American Diabetes Assoc.)
31. Missing Class by Betsy Leondar-Wright (Cornell University Press)
32. Both Sides Now by Nancy Sharp (Books & Books Press)
33. The Grateful Life by Nina Lesowitz and Mary Beth Sammons (Viva Editions)
34. Extraordinary People by Scott S. Smith (Motivational Press)
35. Out of the Depths by Glenda L. Hunter (unknown)
36. Where Excuses Go to Die by John Espinosa Nelson (Highrise Press)
37. Raw by Fiona Finn (unknown)
38. Too Loved to be Lost by Debora M. Coty (Shiloh Run Press)
39. Having the Time of Your Life by Allen Klein (Viva Editions)
40. Breaking the Chains by Dr. Catrina Pullum (Dart Consulting & Professional Services, LLC)
41. Why Science Does Not Disprove God by Amir D. Aczel (William Morrow)
42. The Coldest Season Ever by Vino Davis (Standing on the Word)
43. Postcards from Cookie by Caroline Clarke (Harper Collins)
44. Off My Rocker by Kenny Weissberg (Sandra Jonas Publishing House)
45. The Gifted by Daphne Michaels (Daphne Michaels Books)
46. Garden Blessings by June Cotner (Viva Editions)
47. Stand Up Straight and Sing! by Jessye Norman (Hougton Mifflin)
48. War Babies by Richard Pells (Cultural History Press)
49. Find Your Inner Strength by Chicken Soup for the Soul ( Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing)
50. Moms' Night Out (and other things I miss...) by Kerri Pomarolli (B&H Publishing Group)

Top 50 Fiction Titles of 2014 (Listed in no particular order):

1. Confessions of a Wild Child by Jackie Collins (St. Martin's Press)
2. The Headmaster's Wife by Thomas Christopher Greene (Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin's Press)
3. Revolutionary by Alex Myers (Simon and Schuster)
4. Saint Monkey by Jacinda Townsend (W. W. Norton & Co.)
5. Forty Acres by Dwayne Alexander Smith (Atria Books)
6. Graveyard of Memories by Barry Eisler (Thomas & Mercer)
7. What's Done in the Dark by Reshonda Tate Billingsley (Gallery Books)
8. Death Logs In by E. J. Simon (Simon Zef Publishing)
9. Magnolia Mud by Randy Pierce (Dogwood Press)
10. Your Perfect Life by Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke (Washington Square Press)
11. Tap Rack Bang by Robert Blake Whitehill (Calaveras Media)
12. The Lodger by Louisa Treger (Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin's Press)
13. My Wife My Baby...And him by Shelia Bell (North Star/Bonita & Hodge Publishing)
14. It Won't Always Be This Great by Peter Mehlman (Bancroft Press)
15. Virtuous Deception by Leiann B. Wrytes (A Million Thoughts Publishing)
16. The Tumble Inn by William Loizeaux (Syracuse University Press)
17. Christopher's Diary Secrets of Foxworth by V. C. Andrews (Pocket Books)
18. Pressed Pennies by Steven Manchester (The Story Plant)
19. Family Values by Anderecco (Alphagraphics)
20. The Flip by Michael Phillip Cash (unknown)
21. When the Drum Major Died by Anjuelle Floyd (NOJ Publications)
22. Russian Roulette by E. E. Smith (Phoenix Intl)
23. A Flight to Romance by John Fishwick (CreateSpace)
24. Aftershock by Joe Lane (Bancroft Press)
25. Not My Will by Khara Campbell (Delphine Publications)
26. Jack Icefloe Jackson's Romance For Men by Dean Lorey (Disobedient Dragon)
27. The Love Letters by Bruce Davis (Grave Distractions Publications)
28. Nowhere Out by Vincent J. Sachar (Divont Publishers)
29. Death's Way by Christopher Valen (Conquill Press)
30. The Promise by Beth Wiseman (Thomas Nelson)
31. A Pinch of Ooh La La by Renee Swindle (New American Library)
32. Paw and Order by Spencer Quinn (Atria Books)
33. Her Heart's Desire by Lisa Watson (Kimani Romance)
34. Brutal Youth by Anthony Breznican (Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin's Press)
35. Murmurs of Insanity by Gerrie Ferris Finger (Gale Cengage Learning)
36. Forever An Ex by Victoria Christopher Murray (Touchstone/Simon & Schuster)
37. Skewed by Anne McAneny (Farrington Press)
38. In Perfect Time by Sarah Sundin (Revell)
39. Let Me Just Say This by B. Swangin Webster (Intrigue Publishing)
40. Quiet Dell by Jayne Anne Phillips (Scribner/Simon & Schuster)
41. Arts and Crafts by J. T. Prescott (Two Harbors Press)
42. Home to Chicory Lane by Deborah Raney (Abingdon Press)
43. Thread of Life by David W. Huffstetler (Becher House Publishing)
44. Unfaithful by Karyn Grice (Karen Hunter/Pocket Star Books)
45. No Turning Back by Dan Burns (Chicago Arts Press)
46. Four Ladies Only by Alretha Thomas (Diverse Arts Collective)
47. Hidden in the Stars by Robin Caroll (Abingdon Fiction)
48. Lost in the Ivy by Randy Richardson (Eckhartz Press)
49. Debbie Doesn't Do It Anymore by Walter Mosley (Doubleday)
50. The Third Rule of Ten by Gay Hendricks and Tinker Lindsay (Hay House)