Monday, July 15, 2024

Conversations' 25 Summer Reads for Adults, 2024

 


 Just in time for Summer, Conversations Book Club and Books You Need to Read announce their 25 Summer Reads for Adults! Personally curated by Cyrus Webb, the list gives readers of mixture of non-fiction and fiction that is sure to keep them turning the page to find out what's next. 


NON-FICTION (listed in no particular order)

  1. Untapped Magic by Chloe Panta (New World Library)
  2. Medgar & Myrlie by Joy-Ann Reid (Mariner Books)
  3. And Then We Rise by Common (Harper One)
  4. Faces and Phases by Marketa George (Three C Publishing)
  5. Words from My Collar Bone: a Rebirth by Luciann Berrios (Luciann Berrios)
  6. Trauma Breakthough by Jessica James Henry (The Breakthough Tribe Publishing)
  7. The Most Human by Adam Nimoy (Chicago Review Press)
  8. Beauty For Ashes by Tiffiny Grooms (Three C Publishing)
  9. Meet Me in Mumbai by Lovelace Cook (Whisperwood Publishing)
  10. She Said Yes to Herself Unapologetically EmpowerHER Guide (Pa-Pro-Vi Publishing)
  11. Night of the Hawk by Lauren Martin (She Writes Press)
  12. Man You Are Crazy by Christopher Anderson and Kevin P. Donaldson (The Mediacasters Publishing House)
  13. Animals I Want to See by Tom Seeman (Post Hill Press)
FICTION (listed in no particular order)

  1. Anna Bright Is Hiding Something by Susie Orman Schnall (Spark Press)
  2. Forgetting to Remember by M. J. Rose (Blue Box Presss)
  3. The Grandest Garden by Gina l. Carroll (Spark Press)
  4. Watch Where They Hide by Tamron Hall (William Morrow)
  5. A Killing on the Hill by Robert Dugoni (Thomas Mercer)
  6. The Wild Road Home by Melissa Payne (Amazon Publishing)
  7. The Catch No One Wants by Dr. Velma Bagby (Adoni Publishing)
  8. The Forgiveness Game by Norma McLauchlin (Chosen Pen Publishing)
  9. All That Really Matters by David Weill (Rare Bird)
  10. Take Two, Birdie Maxwell by Allison Winn Scotch (Berkley)
  11. The Daughter Between Them by Alretha Thomas (Diverse Arts Collective, Inc)
  12. The Waters by Bonnie Jo Campbell (W.W. Norton & Company)

[BOOK REVIEW] Cornelia Maude Spelman's A FOOT IS NOT A FISH! reminds us that saying something doesn't make it true


 We live in a time when the Truth has become subjective to some. Now that is not to say that we are not all entitled to our opinions, but that doesn't mean that just because we think or say something that it's automatically true.

This is hard enough for adults to sometime grapple with, so when it comes to children it's great to know there are books like this that can help them reason on what is true and what is not.

A FOOT IS NOT A FISH! by Cornelia Maude Spelman tackles the truth about things around us, as well as the things that are not true. It's done is a fun way that kids  can relate to---and will create some real discussion points with adults in discussing the book.

It's almost like explaining the difference between a truth and a lie---however, the way Cornelia does it is to show that just because you WANT something to be a certain way, doesn't mean that it is.

A great book to add to your kid's reading nook or to share with schools. It's entertaining and educational. Something that is definitely needed at this time. 

Get your copy on Amazon

Monday, December 11, 2023

Conversations Top 20 Books for Young Readers in 2023


Conversations Media Group President Cyrus Webb is excited to share his Top 20 Books for Young Readers in 2023. It's a list for all ages, providing entertainment, inspiration and great stories that readers will want to share with others. 

Conversations Top 20 Books for Young Readers in 2023 (Listed in no particular order)

  1. Who Is LeBron James? by Crystal Hubbard (Penguin Workshop)
  2. Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt (Scholastic Press)
  3. The Jockey & Her Horse by Sarah Maslin Nir and Raymond White, Jr. (Cameron Kids)
  4. White House Clubhouse by Sean O'Brien (Norton)
  5. Once in a Blue Moon by Sharon G. Flake (Random House Kids)
  6. Nubia: The Reckoning by Omar Epps & Clarence A. Haynes (Delacorte Press)
  7. There Goes the Neighborhood by Jade Adia (Hyperion)
  8. I Kick and I Fly by Ruchira Gupta (Scholastic Press)
  9. Ellie Engle Saves Herself! by Leah Johnson (Hyperion)
  10. The Last Fallen Realm by Graci Kim (Hyperion)
  11. Youngest In Charge by Kevin Elliott (Urban Lifestyle Press)
  12. Promise Boys by Nick Brooks (Henry Holt)
  13. The Puppets of Spelhorst by Kate DiCamillo (Candlewick Press)
  14. Why? The Human Body by National Geographic Kids 
  15. Big Tree by Brian Selznick (Scholastic Press)
  16. The Honorable Bee by Jayden Smith-Cox (Pa-Pro-Vi Publishing)
  17. Showdown at Firefly Island by Eli Clark & Gerry Boylan (Detroit Writing Room)
  18. Braylen the Bear and Freinds: Braylen Finds a Way by Dr. LaTonya Peterson/Manswell Peterson (OmegaMan Publishing)
  19. We Are Here by Tami Charles (Orchard Books)
  20. I Absolutely, Positively Love My Spots by Lid'ya C. Rivera (Harper)


Sunday, November 5, 2023

[BOOK REVIEW] Inspiring from beginning to end, Michelle Brown shows the power of faith and not giving up


 I've never met Michelle Brown, but after reading her book My Life Isn't Perfect, But My Testimony Is.... I feel a connection to her through her story and life lessons. 

She shares how through her personal and professional challenges how she has been able to persevere---letting us know what is possible for us as well. Looking at her today you would never guess she has been through so many heartbreaking situations, but I think that is again part of the book. So many of us have been through things that could have broken us, but we are still here---still able to stand and face down another day. 

For Michelle the key to not giving up was tied to her faith. She didn't always understand what she was dealing with when it came to family or things with her own body, but she didn't let that stop her. 

For those who have ever endured a trial that threatened to break them, this book is sure to give you hope. Inspiring from beginning to end, Michelle Brown's My Life Isn't Perfect, But My Testimony Is.... shows the power of faith and not giving up. 

Get your copy of My Life Isn't Perfect, But My Testimony Is.... on Amazon

[BOOK REVIEW] She Said Yes To Herself Unapologetically is all about recognizing you are worthy


 It's sad we live in a world where we still have to tell women---all women---that they are worthy of taking care of themselves, loving themselves and respecting themselves. 

For those that need a reminder of their value and what they can achieve, the new anthology She Said Yes To Herself Unapologetically EmpowerHER Guide gives you that and so much more. It is all about sharing the stories of individuals who have come out of their challenges and difficult circumstances and are better on the other side. 

For men and women you are sure to see yourself or someone you know---and you'll be encouraged to realize what is possible for you and can be done in your life if you're willing to do the work. 

LADIES: ready to start living your best life possible? It all begins with realizing you are worthy of saying yes to yourself UNAPOLOGETICALLY. 

Get your copy on Amazon

[BOOK REVIEW] For those looking to move forward in their lives, FROM BARS AND SCARS gives you the motivation

 

Anyone who has followed the career of Pauline Rogers knows that she is an individual who walks the walk that she speaks about. In her eagerly awaited first book FROM BARS AND SCARS she gives us inspiration to use for every day, encouraging us to not give up on ourselves and others. 

FROM BARS AND SCARS is intended for those who have been caged by their circumstances, but it speaks to all of us who have been beaten down by life and feel restrained in how far we can go.

By reading the words and thinking about what they can mean for you personally, it helps to shape not only your expectations for yourself but those around you as well. 

FROM BARS AND SCARS is a needed resource for the times we find ourselves in. Just what you need to give you that motivation to keep going.

Get your copy of FROM BARS AND SCARS on Amazon

Saturday, September 30, 2023

31 Books You Should Read in October 2023

 With so many books being published each year it can sometimes be difficult to know what you might need to give a read. As the last quarter of 2023 begins, media personality and Books You Need to Read founder Cyrus Webb shares 31 Books You Should Read in October 2023. 

These are books all published in the past year that have gotten Webb's attention and made an impact with him. It is his hope that they will do the same for you. 

NON-FICTION TITLES (Listed in no particular order)

  1. Adversity for Sale by Jay Jeezy Jenkins 
  2. Heart of a Warrior by Fa'Apepele Hunkin
  3. Professionally Lynched by Tanya White
  4. Tough by Terry Crews 
  5. It's Okay Not to be Fabulous Every Day! by Ally Dalsimer
  6. Joy Rides Through the Tunnel of Grief by Jessica Hendry Nelson
  7. Lessons from the Forgotten Ones by Branden Nicholson
  8. A Course in Love by Deborah L. Hunter
  9. Transformation: The Bounce Back by Dr. Teresa A. Smith
  10. Top Billin' by Bill Bellamy
  11. Dream by Design Inspirational Journal by Melissa Banks
  12. Tinderbox by Lynn Alsup
  13. Ride or Die by Jarie Bolander
  14. The Little Sandals that Could by Tina Siemens 
  15. Painful Joy by Max J. Friedman
  16. I Got It From Here by Francesca Miracola 

FICTION TITLES (Listed in no particular order)

  1. A Likeable Woman by May Cobb
  2. Malibu Burning by Lee Goldberg
  3. The Wrong Catch by Dr. Velma Bagby 
  4. Havana Hangover by Randy Richardson
  5. This Time Could Be Different by Khristin Wierman
  6. Blast by Robert Blake Whitehill 
  7. Girls in Search of Cover, Part 1 by Pamela Mshana
  8. Backlash by Iris Bolling
  9. Locrottum Academy, Book 1 by Manswell T. Peterson
  10. The Better Half by Alli Frank and Asha Youmans
  11. Flipping Boxcars by Cedric Kyles
  12. These Things Happen by Michael Eon
  13. The Wrong Seat by Natasha D. Frazier
  14. A Twisted Love Story by Samantha Downing
  15. Tides of Fire by James Rollins