Conversations' 25 Most Inspirational Books of 2015

Media Personality, Top 500 Amazon.com Reviewer and Conversations Book Club founder Cyrus Webb is excited to reveal this year's list of Most Inspirational Books.

"There's so much darkness around us," Webb, 40, says. "Through its book club, radio show and the pages of the magazine Conversations is glad to share with the world that there are those who are letting their light shine. This year's book selections are proof that if we don't give up that the best of who we can be is yet ahead."

All of the books selected by Webb are also included on Conversations' Top 100 Books of 2015 that will be released in its entirety on December 1st on www.conversationsbookclub.com and in the Dec./Jan. issue of Conversations Magazine.

Conversations' 25 Most Inspirational Books of 2015 (listed in no particular order)

1. FIND A WAY by Diana Nyad (Knoff)
2. THE WORK by Wes Moore (Spiegel & Grau)
3. BE A GOOD IN THE WORLD by Brenda Knight (Viva Editions)
4. THREE MORE WORDS by Ashley Rhodes-Courter (Atheneum)
5. CLEARING CLUTTER by Alexandra Chauran (Llewellyn)
6. LIVE MORE, WORK BETTER by Gayle Hilgendorff (Bascom Hill)
7. STEP OUT OF YOUR STORY by Kim Schneiderman (New World Library)
8. HOW TO LIVE AN AWESOME LIFE by Polly Campbell (Viva Editions)
9. MINDFULNESS A TO Z by Arnie Kozak (Wisdom)
10. ELGIN BAYLOR by Bijan C. Bayne (Rowman & Littlefield)
11. DISAGREE AND STAY IN LOVE by Liz Super Librarian (Livre Publishing)
12. MY GIFT OF NOW by Elynne Chaplik-Aleskow (Mill City Press)
13. BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE (Chicken Soup for the Soul) 
14. TATTERED AND MENDED by Cynthia Ruchti (Abingdon Press)
15. THE POWER OF BEING YOURSELF by Joe Plumeri (Da Capo Press)
16. ONE OF EVERYTHING by Donna Carol Voss (Vantages Books)
17. LETTERS FROM MY FATHER'S MURDERER by Laurie A. Coombs (Kregel)
18. ONE RIGHTEOUS MAN by Arthur Browne (Beacon Press)
19. BOUNCING FORWARD by Michaela Haas (Enliven/Atria)
20. EXPECT A MIRACLE by Jenny Long (Sports Illustrated Books)
21. PURSUING YOUR PURPOSE by Carl Mathis (Unknown)
22. THE BOYS IN THE BOAT by Daniel James Brown (Viking)
23. HEALING THE WRITER by Dan L. Hays (Virtual Book Worm Publishing)
24. HAPPINESS A-Z by Louise Baxter Harmon (Viva Editions)
25. FROM CHAOS TO CLARITY by Alex Bratty (Sojourn Publishing)

PROFILE: Ben Burgess Jr., award-winning author of WOUNDED

Conversations Book Club is excited to be a stop on author Ben Burgess, Jr.'s tour with Elite Book Promotions  for his book WOUNDED.

ABOUT WOUNDED:
Samantha Miller didn't have an easy start. Molested as a child and subsequently forced into prostitution by her drug-addicted mother, Samantha learned at an early age that men were not to be trusted. Being constantly preyed upon taught her to be a predator. Her target was women-specifically, straight or married women. As the headliner at a local strip club, Samantha capitalized on the gifts she was cursed with. In turn, her life quickly spiraled down a dangerous path of violence, seduction, and exploitation. When Sasha is brought on as the new bartender, she becomes Samantha's newest target. The last thing Samantha anticipated was falling in love. When tragedy strikes, what was once a challenge may prove to be her downfall. Can Samantha heal from her abusive past, or will she always be Wounded?

***

When asked by Conversations Media Group founder Cyrus Webb what the experience has been like to see the way his book are being received, Burgess told him this: It's very humbling and fulfiling. I always wanted to write a book that would help change people's way of thinking and to reach them deeply. When i see the novels that i'm writing becoming successful, it's unbelievable."

Listen as Burgess and Webb chat about his career and new book WOUNDED on Conversations LIVE here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/theconversationshow/2014/05/26/award-winning-author-ben-burgess-jr-discusses-wounded-on-conversations-live

You can read Cyrus Webb's review WOUNDED on Amazon here.

Cyrus Webb Presents... Conversations' 2014 Top 25 Summer Reads

It is one of Conversations' most exciting events each year: the big reveal of its Top 25 Summer Reads for adults.

"As a lover of books, I am always excited to share titles that have spoken to me personally," says Cyrus Webb, media personality and President of Conversations Book Club. "Once again the authors I've read have not made this year's list easy to compile, but that just means there are a lot of great books for readers to choose from."

Conversations' 2014 Top 25 Summer Reads have a little something for everyone: action and adventure, trials and redemption and even a bit of humor.

It is the hope of Cyrus Webb and Conversations that you will add some of their favorite titles to your reading list for the summer.

Conversations' Top 25 Summer Reading List for 2014 (listed in no particular order)

1. "Confessions of a Wild Child" by Jackie Collins (St. Martins Press)
2. "The Cottage on Juniper Ridge" by Sheila Roberts (Harlequin Mira)
3. "I Dance For You" by Kelly Stone 
4. "Secrets to Surrender (Living Wholeheartedly)" by Debby Akerman (New Hope Publishing)
5. "Not My Will" by Khara Campbell (Delphine Publications)
6. "Death's Way" by Christopher Valen (Conquill Press)
7. "Revenge Wears Prada" by Lauren Weisberger (Simon & Schuster)
8. "The Harm In Asking" by Sara Barron (Three Rivers Press)
9. "When Perfection Fails" by Tyora Moody (Urban Christian)
10. "Postcards from Cookie" by Caroline Clarke (Harper Collins)
11. "Pressed Pennies" by Steven Manchester (The Story Plant)
12. "Saint Monkey" by Jacinda Townsend (W. W. Norton & Co.)
13. "Death Never Sleeps" by E. J. Simon (Simon/Zef)
14. "A Forest of Doors: An Orphan's Quest" by L. A. Muse (innovo Publishing)
15. "A Very Dystopian Holiday Reader" by Dan O'Brien 
16. "Pillow Talk int he Heat of the Night" (Peace in the Storm Publishing)
17. "Commit to Get Fit" by Laura Dion-Jones
18. "Out of the Ruins" by Karen Barnett (Abingdon Press)
19. "Magnolia Mud" by Randy Pierce (Dogwood Press)
20. "The Writers Afterlife" by Richard Vetere (Three Rooms Press)
21. "Debbie Doesn't Do It Anymore" by Walter Mosley (Doubleday/Random House)
22. "My Wife My Baby...and Him" by Sheila E. Lipsey (Bonita and Hodge Publishing Group)
23. "A Promise in Pieces" by Emily T. Wierenga (Abingdon Press)
24. "Her Heart's Desire" by Lisa Watson (Kimani Romance)
25. "Social Death" by Tatiana Boncompagni (Tudor City Press)

Cyrus Webb Reveals Conversations' Top 50 Non-Fiction Titles of 2013

Conversations Book Club President Cyrus Webb is always looking for ways to inspire those that he meets, and when he reads a book that fits that bill he can't wait to share it. For this years top non-fiction reads, however, he ran into a wonderful problem: too many books to name!

"This has been one of the greatest years for books," Webb, 38, says.  "I've been a reader all my life, and this year I saw authors sharing themselves and telling stories in a way that I know is going to inspire others around the world."

For the Top 50 Non-Fiction titles Webb relied on his love of powerful biographies and autobiographies as well as books that were powerful motivating tools. It is his hope they will become fan favorites for readers and spark conversations wherever they go.

Conversations' Top 50 Non-Fiction Titles of 2013
   (Listed in no particular order)

1. "From Lemons to Lemonade" by Chicken Soup for the Soul (CSS Publishing)
2. "Always Look on the Bright Side" by Allen Klein (Viva Editions)
3. "What Are You Waiting For?" by Kristen Moeller (Viva Editions)
4. "The One Year Book of Amish Peace" by Tricia Goyer (Tyndale)
5. "Doc" by Dwight Gooden (New Harvest)
6. "Winning From Within" by Erica Ariel Fox (Harper Business)
7. "Life Check" by Robin Marvel (Marvelous Spirit Press)
8. "Imperfect Spirituality" by Polly Campbell (Viva Editions)
9. "Hillbilly Heart" by Billy Ray Cyrus (New Harvest)
10. "Living a Life of Gratitude" by Sara Wiseman (Llewellyn Books)
11. "Not Quite Healed" by Cecil Murphey & Gary Roe (Kregel Publications)
12. "The Wealth of My Mother's Wisdom" by Terrence J (HarperCollins)
13. "Conquer Your Stress with Mind/Body Techniques" by Kathy Gruver (Infinity Publishing)
14. "Living and Dying in Brick City" by Sampson Davis (Spiegel & Grau)
15. "Blindsided by the Walking Dead" by IronE Singleton (Myriad Press)
16. "Miss Anne In Harlem" by Carla Kaplan (Harper Collins)
17. "Raising Dough" by Elizabeth U (Chelsea Green)
18. "Business Brilliant" by Lewis Schiff (Harper Business)
19. "Mr. Joe: Tales of a Haunted Life" by Joseph Barnett and Jane Congdon (Bettie Youngs Books)
20. "The Facebook Diet" by Gemini Adams (Live Consciously Publishing)
21. "Break Your Addiction to Conflict" by Nathan J. Snow (Snowday Press)
22. "The Smart Shopper Diabetes Cookbook" by Robyn Webb (American Diabetes Assoc)
23. "Get Back Up" by Sheryl Giesbrecht (Wheatmark)
24. "Walk In Their Shoes" by Jim Ziolkowski (Simon & Schuster)
25. "Common Sense in Uncommon Times" by Brian Crissey & Pamela Crissey (Granite Publishing)
26. "Mother Daughter Me" by Katie Hafner (Random House)
27. "Nothing In New England is New" by Rick Lupert (Ain't Got No Press)
28. "For Underdogs Only" by Kim G. Robinson (FUO)
29. "Mountain Air" by Holli Kenley (Loving Healing Press)
30. "After the Fall" by Craig Demartino (Kregel Publications)
31. "Personhood Revisited" by Howard W. Jones (Langdon Street Press)
32. "The Family" by David Laskin (Viking)
33. "Ditzabled Princess" by Jewel Kats (Marvelous Spirit Press)
34. "Long Journey Home" by Lucy Lipiner (iUniverse)
35. "What Then Must We Do?" by Gar Alperovitz (Chelsea Green Publishing)
36. "The Art of Waging Peace" by Paul K. Chappell (Prospecta Press)
37. "Records Truly Is My Middle Name" by John Records Landecker (Eckhartz Press)
38. "Great Love: The Mary Jo Copeland Story" by Michelle Peterson Hinck (Quixote Publications)
39. "The Power to Transform" by Chris Majer (Rodale Books)
40. "Silence Is Not Always Golden: A Poetic Revolution" by Joy Elan (Unknown)
41. "Billy Graham & Me" by Chicken Soup for the Soul (CSS Publishing)
42. "Love No Matter What" by Brenda Garrison (Thomas Nelson)
43. "Nothing Is Impossible" by Tom Oliver (McGraw-Hill Education)
44. "Diamond In the Dark" by Phyllis Hain (Bancroft Press)
45. "Black Caesar: The Rise and Disappearance of Frank Matthews, Kingpin" by Ron Chepesiuk (Strategic Media Books)
46. "Crafting Calm" by Maggie Oman Shannon (Viva Editions)
47. "Tasting Home" by Judith Newton (She Writes Press)
48. "Getting It Done" by Iris Dorreboom & Rudi De Graaf (Mill City Press)
49. "The Spark" by Kristine Barnett (Random House)
50. "Liberating Iraq" by Amir George (Strategic Media Books)

This list, along with Webb's Top 50 Fiction Titles of 2013 will appear in the Dec./Jan. issue of Conversations Magazine. To stay abreast of updates bookmark both www.conversationsbookclub.com and www.conversationsmag.com. CONVERSATIONS: Feeding your love of life! 

Conversations Presents 20 Must-Read Books For Young Readers

by Cyrus Webb (appears in the May/June Issue of Conversations Magazine)

When it comes to books for children and young readers, Conversations and company Shadow Play Entertainment are committed to celebrate titles that both entertain as well as inform. As summer approaches, this issue seemed as good of a time as any to recognize some of the books we have enjoyed and recommend as well as the authors and publishers that made them possible.

These are what we consider must-reads, and it is our hope that you will give them some consideration as you make plans for this summer's "To Do" list (Listed in no particular order):

* "Let's Get Ready For First Grade!" by Stacey Kannenberg (Cedar Valley Publishing)
* "Ella B. Jenkins Meets President Barack Obama" by Eve Lynne and Desiree Thomas Gordy (Robijo Publishing)
* "Too Tall Alice" by Barbara Worton (Great Little Books, LLC)
* "Of Thee I Sing: A Letter To My Daughters" by Barack Obama (Alfred A. Knopf)
* "Mr. Browne and the Rose Show" by M. Beatryce Shaw (Schooner Publications)
* "The Chip: A 21st Century Superhero" by George Jack (Langdon Street Press)
* "Rico The Seagull, Making The Best Out Of A Mess" by April Mahoney (A Good Person Publishing)
* "Color Struck" by Pamela & Joel Tuck (Joechel Books)
* "The Rivalry" by John Feinstein (Alfred A. Knopf)
* "Louisa" by Richard Emmel (Parson Place Press)
* "Be Real And Great Now" by Zenaida Roy-Almario (BRAGN)
* "Adventures of Rusty & Ginger Fox" by Tim Ostermeyer (Synergy Books)
* "The Sons Of Liberty" by Alexander Lagos and Joseph Lagos (Random House)
* "Hairy Harry" by Debra Christenson (Publish America)
* "The Skinny On Bullying" by Mike Cassidy (Rand Media Co.)
* "Before There Was Mozart" by Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E. Ransome (Schwartz & Wade Books/Random House)
* "The Fenway Foul-Up" by David A. Kelly (Stepping Stones Books/Random House)
* "Trouble In Troublesome Creek" by Nancy Kelly Allen (Red Rock Press)
* "The Young Professionals" by Models For Success (Rathsi Publishing)
* "Miracle In Sumatra: The Story Of Gutsy Gus" by Jeanne McNaney (Ovation Books)-

Already enjoyed some of the titles we have listed? Share your thoughts on www.conversationsmag.com and www.amazon.com. Know of some great books that didn't make our list? Let us know of those as well! You can also contact me directly at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616.

Looking for some great adult books to add to your collection? You can find selections by visiting www.thebestbookclub.info. CONVERSATIONS: Feeding Your Love Of Life.
Get your May/June issue of Conversations Magazine by clicking here!