"Read My Lips" is the new initiative began in November 2006 to encourage reading and writing among those both young and old. We want to help feed a passion for the written and spoken word to help individuals continue to mold the future. Want to know how you can be featured? Contact us at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616.

Get your literary word search ebook for only $5.00

Get your literary word search ebook for only $5.00
Click the cover above to learn more!

Thursday, October 30, 2008

MS State Flag Forum: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Shadow Play Entertainment, Conversations Book Club and its literary partners have just two words to say about their latest forum regarding the Mississippi State Flag: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

A big thank you goes out to the panelists (Zane Bell, Dudley Sykes, Eddie Wright, Kia Stokes and Deanna Tisdale) for a job well done. Thank you to the Jackson Advocate Newspaper, The Clarion Ledger and the Pearl Public Library for helping get the word out, and to the dozens who came to be a part of the discussion. The conversation was thoughtful, all sides were well represented, and a common thread emerged: the need for the state to come together and recognize what unites us as well as what makes us unique.

What will be discussed in November? We are pleased to announce that on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 the town-hall style discussion at the Pearl Public Library (Pearl, MS) will be "RACIAL PRIDE: A Thin Line Between Love & Hate?". We hope to see you there. For details, continue to visit http://www.thebestbookclub.info.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Author Kia Stokes sells out JSU Bookstore, expands to new stores

Author Kia Stokes sold out JSU Bookstore's (Jackson, MS) 30 plus copies of her book UNBOUND in less than two hours on Thursday, October 23, 2008--- surprising the management and exciting booklovers by her presence.

In what was her first official booksigning since the book was released earlier in the month, Kia greeted visitors to the store, talked about her book and signed copies for patrons.






Missed Kia's visit or don't have your copy of the book? JSU Bookstore's stock has been replenished and can now be found at Milestone Christian Bookstore (Pearl, MS) and the Family Christian Bookstores in Jackson, MS and Ridgeland, MS.
Visit Kia online at http://www.kiastokes.com. For more information or to schedule meetings and interviews contact Cyrus A. Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

JUST IN: Conversations Reveals Its "Top 100 of 2008"

What a year 2008 has been! Through the Conversations brand (book club, television broadcast, radio broadcast, magazine, website) there has been hundreds of books read, hundreds of authors interviewed, tons of discussions about the music and books coming into the market as well as an appreciation for the role that music and sports play in the minds of those we want to get addicted to reading. Out of it all, we have had to narrow it down to fit our "Top 100 of 2008" ---but with a twist. Since we have added music to our equation, we decided to break down our list this way: The Top 25 Non-Fiction Titles of 2008, The Top 25 Musical Supporters of Literacy of 2008 and The Top 50 Fiction Titles of 2008.  Since Conversations Book Club and its literary partners are committed to a universal look at the arts, there is a wide variety of genres and ethnicities on our list. One thing you can be sure of is that there is truly something for readers of all literary tastes.


 

Conversations' Top 25 Non-Fiction Titles of 2008
 


Conversations' Top 50 Fiction Titles of 2008
 


Enjoy our selections, and remember to share them with your family and friends. This is one addiction that is worth passing around.
 
Cyrus A. Webb, President
Conversations Book Club

Conversations Presents Its "Top 25 Musical Supporters of 2008"

Conversations Book Club welcomed several recording artists into its fold during 2008 to aid with its "Hiphop and Books" Literacy Campaign. "Hiphop and Books" was created to use recording artists in encouraging music fans not to forget the importance of reading and staying in school. Here we recognize our "Top 25 Musical Supporters of 2008". (Arranged in no particular order)
 
  1. C-Murder
  2. Sean Simmonds
  3. Omega Red
  4. Mika Means and the ladies of The Girls Club
  5. Donna Summers
  6. The Patrick Smith Band
  7. Big G
  8. Jacki-O
  9. Ondrea Nicole
  10. Jack Squad
  11. C. O. D. All-Stars
  12. Playa Connected
  13. Status Quo
  14. Josh Gates
  15. Jon Boy
  16. Dj Down South
  17. The Dream Team Stars
  18. C. James
  19. Babs Bunny
  20. Mike Jones
  21. Eddie Wright
  22. Duane Scott
  23. Kidd Russell
  24. Shawdy Jizzle
  25. K. Lipsey
JOIN THE ADDICTION: Get hooked on books! http://www.thebestbookclub.info http://www.hiphopandbooks.com
 
 

Conversations Presents its "Top 25 Non-Fiction Titles of 2008"

Conversations Book Club is pleased to announce its "Top 25 Non-Fiction Titles of 2008". There are so many true-life accounts on the market right now, however, these are the ones that we feel should be on your bookshelves and centerpieces in your discussions.
(Listed in no particular order)
 
  1. "Resilience" by Alonzo Mourning
  2. "Look Me In The Eye" by John Elder Robison
  3. "Maya Angelou: A Glorious Celebration" by Marcia Ann Gillespie, Rosa Johnson Butler and Richard A. Long
  4. "Mississippi's Uncovered Glory" by Jerome Gentry
  5. "Rollin' With Dre" by Bruce Williams
  6. "Rewriting The Script" by Arlether Wilson
  7. "The Express: The Ernie Davis Story" by Robert Gallagher
  8. "From Pieces To Weight" by 50 Cent
  9. "Prince Among Slaves" by Terry Alford
  10. "Hard Times & Great Blessings" by Kenneth F. Worth
  11. "War of the Bloods In My Veins" by Jiwe
  12. "Shattered Reality" by Kimberly Cheryl
  13. "It Never Rains In Tiger Stadium" by John Ed Bradley
  14. "No Place Safe" by Kim Reid
  15. "How To Wow" by Frances Cole Jones
  16. "Laying Down My Burdens" by Brenda L. Thomas
  17. "Escape" by Carolyn Jessop
  18. "How To Get Out of Debt" by Harrine Freeman
  19. "The Day I Stopped Being Pretty" by Rodney Lofton
  20. "Hiding In Hiphop" by Terrance Dean
  21. "Do Travel Writers Go To Hill" by Thomas Kohnstamm
  22. "I Don't Want To Die All Alone" by Joseph Henderson
  23. "The Enemy Between My Legs" by Stephanie L. Jones
  24. "Teach With Your Heart" by Erin Gruwell
  25. "Zoom Power" by Monica Carter Tagore
JOIN THE ADDICTION: Get hooked on books! http://www.thebestbookclub.info

Conversations Presents its "Top 50 Fiction Titles of 2008"

Conversations Book Club is pleased to announce its "Top 50 Fiction Titles of 2008". There are so many books that have come into the market during 2007 and 2008, however, these are the ones that we feel should be on your bookshelves.
(Listed in no particular order)
 
  1. "Possession" by Da'Neen Hale
  2. "The Street Life Series 2: Is It Passion or Revenge?" by Kevin M. Weeks
  3. "Brothers" by James Fredericks
  4. "Mpire Series: In Search of the Lost" by T. L. James
  5. "Running From Mercy" by Terra Little
  6. "Every Secret Crime" by Doug M. Cummings
  7. "Grown & Gangsta" by Jacki-O
  8. "Murder on the Down Low" by Pamela Samuels-Young
  9. "Children of Abraham" by R. L. Martin
  10. "Sweet Dreams" by Nikkea Smithers
  11. "Pieces of the Hole" by Tony Lindsay
  12. "Daughter Denied" by Alretha Thomas
  13. "A Rich Man's Baby" by Daaimah S. Poole
  14. "Unbound" by Kia Stokes
  15. "My Son's Wife" by Shelia E. Lipsey
  16. "When Destinies Meet" by V. L. Green
  17. "Yellow Moon" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
  18. "My Soul Cries Out" by Sherri L. Lewis
  19. "Scota's Curse" by Dudley Sykes
  20. "Hot Mahogany" by Stuart Woods
  21. "Faces of Fear" by John Saul
  22. "Too Little, Too Late" by Victoria Christopher Murray
  23. "Always and Forever" by Gretchen Craig
  24. "Ex-Terminator" by Suzetta Perkins
  25. "Electric Honey" by Sam Love
  26. "Gettin' Caught Up Wit Nina" by P. Elaine Archie
  27. "Keyshia & Clyde" by Treasure E. Blue
  28. "Dare" by Abiola Abrams
  29. "Final Fling" by Torrian Ferguson & Brian W. Smith
  30. "Journey To Love" by Peter Gebeshian
  31. "Pulpit Confessions" by Peron Long
  32. "Stackin' Paper" by Joy King & Joe Joe
  33. "Just Too Good To Be True" by E. Lynn Harris
  34. "Divorcing The Devil" by Dwan Abrams
  35. "Still Dirty" by Vickie Stringer
  36. "Sandrine's Letter To Tomorrow" by Dedra Johnson
  37. "Of Blood and Sorry" by Valerie Wilson Wesley
  38. "The Messiah" by Lee Hayes
  39. "Unfaithful" by Devin Scott
  40. "The Prayer Chest" by August Gold & Joel Fotinos
  41. "Unholy Birth" by Andrew Neiderman
  42. "Searchable Whereabouts" by Tinisha Nicole Johnson
  43. "My Secrets, Your Lies" by N'Tyse
  44. "Memories Vision" by Ken Coleman
  45. "Love Don't Live Here No More" by Snoop Dogg
  46. "Deadly Sins, Deadly Secrets" by Sylvia Dickey Smith
  47. "She Had It Coming" by Mary Monroe
  48. "Love Tornado" by Mable John
  49. "The Ties That Bind" by Electa Rome Parks
  50. "Palace Council" by Stephen L. Carter
JOIN THE ADDICTION: Get hooked on books! http://www.thebestbookclub.info

Author John Floyd Word Search---Try It Out!

Author John Floyd Word Search

 

I E N S R L P M P B Y B T S E E F D R A O N D A M
M T L A N Y A O P B R I H M N S A I Y T D O O I L
B O A U I M G N U N P U R L R O R R S N G Y S N Y
N K R A I F A Y D N M R E O D S A C E W A S B L W
P S C I L D M I S O N S S I O R D S O I I I U R P
T I A T O E O S R R P S E O B N W O E S I B C S N
O S A S N P F S D S N A O I A O D D S R O O C L I
A W R I C S N W R R Y R L H B P A I I O I I E N D
Y R I O W D E A P I M L N N R Y P I K C E A A E O
I O N O B R B T P R R I I E R P R S I N N O R I O
A M D A H W B D Y A L A S A I Y A Y C I C A D A S
E B M S R A A Y E O R S R R R M F E I N I E S V O
A S O T E F S P F R O B L A I N F L S I S N R S S
D O S R P A M D D B I H R L N I S K O L A E Y E O
B O L T D R R I L L M B L P C E O E I G E S U E S
B D L E U E D U N S I I E T N W T P A Y E O L N C
B S I I R H R O A L O R I O T A E H Y L R S E M O
L E N R T E D S D N U O N T Y L N E G R R B S R S
Y R R E E N B O O T N R G G P S A I C I E I H I L
R R I P A L O O N E E M O T S P A A I N N T M F E
K V A R A W O E L T O N R O U A O T A B A D S O O
T R B T O R V U S Y Y B U P R E Y I N S P M I Y M
R W Y L S D D E O A I T T E R A I D A A A O O M M
I B F S A L W L I L R N L B N H U R O I F F I R T
S T A D V V N P M E E T M O O L I H R N E P O R R

 


DogwoodPress mystery adventure humor
western Mississippi fantasy romance
sciencefiction RainbowsEnd Midnight Borders
BooksAMillion PearlLibrary FlowoodLibrary BrandonLibrary

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Bestselling author Kevin M. Weeks talks with Conversations LIVE!

Citizen Broadcasting - Blog Talk Radio

Did you miss our exclusive interview with Bestselling author Kevin M. Weeks? If so, listen to it here!
He talks about the beginnings of his writing career, how he has handled the success of the series, what can we expect next from his main character, Teco Jackson, and the youth series that will continue his unique brand. Week's second book in the series, "Is It Passion or Revenge?" was chosen by Conversations Book Club as one of its top books of 2008. Visit http://www.thestreetlifeseries.com to find out why.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive/2008/10/19/Author-Kevin-Weeks-talks-with-Conversations-LIVE
Click on the player or the link below to listen to the Bestselling author Kevin Weeks talks with Conversations LIVE! show

BlogTalkRadio Player

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive/2008/10/19/Author-Kevin-Weeks-talks-with-Conversations-LIVE



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Domestic Violence Survivor Betty Ware tells her story to Conversations

Conversations is committed to sharing stories with the world that will empower and inspire its readers. While the country recognizes October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we want to recount the experience of one survivor of abuse: Betty Ware. In September 2008, she contact Conversations Book Club Founder Cyrus A. Webb from Texas after reading his review of the memoir "I Don't Want To Die All Alone" by Joseph Henderson. The review gave her the opportunity to then tell her story. Conversations is glad to now share it with you.
"I am 68 years old. I have been married twice.The first time was when I was 17 I got married to get out of the children's home that I was raised in along with five siblings. The man I married would not work. All he wanted to do was hunt and fish. So I worked very hard and had three sons and raised them all by myself. After they were grown and out on their own I left their father and started my life over and alone.

"So now we come to my second mariage.I met this man while I was bartending, and he swept me off my feet. At this time I was 48, and he was 35. The age difference did not seem to be a problem. I moved in with him and for a few months everything was great. Then I found out that he was doing all kinds of drugs, some very bad stuff. When I confronted him about this he said he would give it all up if I would stay with him and help him. Well I stayed, but he would not give it up. Sometime's it looked like he was trying. In 1994 he ask me to marry him. I thought he was doing better. So I said 'I Do'. That was my biggest mistake.

"After we were married he got fired from his job for doing drugs. Then I had to work to support us. For a while I did drugs with him, just to get along better. Then I almost died, the drugs caused me to have a mental breakdown. By the GRACE OF GOD I am still here. Now I have a lot of health problems including a back injury that was caused by trying to help him pick us stuff that was to heavy for me to lift. So I can't work anymore. I have to live on social security of $589 per month. At this time he was working but spending most of his money on drugs and his 2 motorcycles.

"We started arguing about how the bills were going to get paid and one thing lead to another. He told me to get out, that this was his house,and he was going to kill me and bury me and no one would even miss me. That was July 17, 2007. The police report (see below) that was done afterwards tells you more of the story. Now we are divorced and a crooked judge and a slick lawyer saw to it that he didn't have to give me anything. We had $67.000 in martial property. He got everything except for my car and the furniture. Thats what I took when I left.



(Click to enlarge)
"As for my domestic violence case, the attorney in justice court dismissed my case because he said the DA's office lost all my paper work. It is all just a big circle of lies. To me it is all about who you are and how much money you got and if you can afford a slick, back stabbing lawyer. I am safe for now. I want to tell my story to whoever it might help: At the very first sign of abuse: Get Out, tell someone, call someone, just GO before they kill you. Don't depend on the LAW To help you. The police are great, but if I have to judge by my case, the court's will not help you."
We hope that Betty's account will encourage more survivors to come forth and tell their story. Abuse is something that none of us should tolerate, no matter who it comes from. Just know that you are not alone.

CBC Extra: Word Search for Book Lovers

 

Author Search

(Be careful! Spaces DO count! J Have fun!)

 

 

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John Saul

L A Banks

Brandon Massey

Gloria Mallette

Francis Ray

Gretchen Craig

K Elliott

C Murder

Roy Glenn

Sidi

Dejon

Joy

AndrewNeiderman

John Shirley

Craig Alexander

Caleb Alexander

Che Parker

Fon James

Darden North

Joe Lee