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)

Author Robert Blake Whitehill's Visit to Mississippi: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Conversations Book Club founder Cyrus Webb was excited to celebrate the reading group's 8 year anniversary with award-winning author Robert Blake Whitehill's visit to Mississippi on Sat. November 15th.

"Robert and I were introduced to each other in 2012 with the release of his debut novel DEADRISE," says Webb. "I've interviewed him several times on the radio show Conversations LIVE, and it was great that Conversations could welcome him to his first visit to the Magnolia State. (Webb also had the privilege of having written blurbs for the back of Whitehill's second book NITRO EXPRESS and third title TAP RACK BANG.)

Throughout the day Robert was able to meet readers from across the state, discuss the history of his series which features Ben Blackshaw and discuss what it's been like to not just share the books but now prepare for them being turned into motion pictures.

Readers of all ages greeted the author, and even those who were able to purchase books during the visit learned how they could order them online.

"I couldn't have asked for a better day," Webb says. "It was great to spend some time with Robert but also to share him with the good people of Mississippi."

To learn more about Robert and his series visit www.robertblakewhitehill.com. To see what is next for Conversations Book Club visit www.conversationsbookclub.com.

PROFILE: David Clive Price, author of ALPHABET CITY

Conversations Book Club, in connection with Elite Book Promotions, is excited to introduce David Clive Price, author of ALPHABET CITY.

On Tues. November 4, 2014 Price stopped by Conversations LIVE radio show to chat with host Cyrus Webb about his literary journey and what it was like for him to bring the characters of the book to life.

Listen to the interview below:

Check Out Books Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with Conversation Pieces on BlogTalkRadio

Read Webb's review of ALPHABET CITY on Amazon here.

National Novel Writing Month founder Chris Baty stops by #ConversationsLIVE

Conversations LIVE host Cyrus Webb welcomes Chris Baty, founder of National Novel Writing Month, to the show to discuss his revised book NO PLOT? NO PROBLEM!

Listen to the conversation at the link below:



National Novel Writing Month founder Chris Baty stops by #ConversationsLIVE 11/06 by middayconversations | Books Podcasts

Conversations' Top "Must-Reads" of November 2014

Conversations Book Club President and media personality Cyrus Webb is excited to introduce you to “10 Must-Reads of November”.

“As we are coming to the end of another year I wanted to share books that were being released that not just told amazing stories but offered some encouragement and hope as well,” says Webb. “This month’s ‘Must-Reads’ are all non-fiction titles that I believe people of all interests will find enjoyment in.”

Here is the listing of November’s “10 Must-Reads”:
1. ENCOURAGED by Brenda Ladun (New Hope Publishing)
2. NO PLOT? NO PROBLEM by Chris Baty (Chronicle Books)
3. ONE LESS. ONE MORE by Robbie Vorhaus (Storytelling Inc.)
4. BEHIND THE BADGE by Michael Cover (Michael Cover Publishing)
5. CONNECTED TO GOODNESS by David Meltzer (Balboa Press)
6. THE GRATEFUL LIFE by Nina Lesowitz and Mary Beth Sammons (Viva Editions)
7. FIND YOUR INNER STRENGTH by Chicken Soup for the Soul (Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing)
8. EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE by Scott S. Smith (Motivational Press)
9. ARRESTED by Dan Conaway, Esq (Bascom Hill)
10. YOUR INTENTIONAL DIFFERENCE by Ken Tucker/Todd Hahn/Shane Roberson (Morgan James Publishing)

Stay connected with literary news from Conversations Book Club at www.conversationsbookclub.com.