"Mississippi Reads" Makes Successful Debut at Gentry High School

On Friday, January 25, 2013 Conversations Book Club's newest chapter, "Mississippi Reads", headed to Gentry High School in Indianola, MS to introduce its new partnership with the school and to entertain the students.

"I have been working with schools since 1999," says book club President and Founder Cyrus Webb. "Any opportunity I have to encourage students to work towards their own personal greatness is an honor for me." Webb was invited to Gentry by school counselor Victor White. The two agreed to work together to form a book club at the school comprised of 50 students that would meet each month. 

During his visit on January 25th Webb brought with him Santino, Big Pap and Tazz of the group Next of Kindredz to perform their single RAIN 'N SUNSHINE and to talk with the students about the importance of reading and staying in school.

The program began with Webb thanking the Principal and Mr. White for the invitation and by his introducing the first book club selection BRAGN (Be Real and Great Now) by author Zenaida Roy-Almario. 

After an introduction Next of Kindredz took to the floor and ended the performance by speaking to the student body.

 

Webb will return to Gentry High School on Friday, February 22, 2013 at 1p.m. to discuss the book BRAGN, kicking off the official start to the book club. 

For more information about Mississippi Reads visit www.mississippireads.com. Cyrus Webb can be reached at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616.

"Mississippi Reads" Shares Message to Indianola's Gentry High School

Though Mississippi has one of the highest rates of illiteracy in the nation one group is working to encourage the importance of reading and staying in school throughout 2013.

"Mississippi Reads" a chapter of Conversations Book Club, is using online and in-person events to promote the Magnolia State's own authors and talent but also showcasing the importance of reading. On Friday, January 25th "Mississippi Reads" will make a special stop at Gentry High School in Indianola, MS, marking the beginning of a monthly program and chapter of the reading group.

"It's been my pleasure to introduce and support our own authors and those making a difference," says Cyrus Webb, President and Founder of Conversations Book Club and "Mississippi Reads". He was invited by 11th Grade Counselor Victor White to begin a monthly reading group at the school, an offer that Webb readily accepted. "I'm excited about the opportunity to work with the students at Gentry High School, sharing not only my own passion for books but introducing them to individuals who have also seen the importance of the written word as well."

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White says that the desire of Gentry High School and its Principal Gared Watkins is to show the students what is possible for them. He believes that programs like "Mississippi Reads" is another step in that direction.

When Webb comes to Gentry High School Friday January 25th he will be accompanied by the Jackson-based Hip Hop group Next of Kindredz. They are a part of Webb's "Hip Hop and Books" coalition that promotes the importance of reading among lovers of Hip Hop music. The group will talk about their own personal journey with books and even perform their inspirational single RAIN N' SUNSHINE.

Webb will also be bringing with him copies of the book BRAGN (Be Real and Great Now) by Zenaida Roy-Almario, the first selection to be read by the high school chapter of "Mississippi Reads". The discussion of the book will take place on Friday, February 22nd at the school. (See www.berealandgreatnow.com )

You can contact Cyrus Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616. For more information about the upcoming event and the work that Mississippi Reads is doing visitwww.mississippireads.com .

MISSISSIPPI READS and Author Joe Lee: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

(Saturday, January 12, 2013) Thanks to those who made the visit of author Joe Lee with "Mississippi Reads" literary event a success.

Conversations Book Club President Cyrus Webb got a chance to talk with Joe Lee about his newest book LAST CHANCE TEXACO as well as his literary journey.

For those who haven't had a chance to read Joe's newest read or may have missed one of his other titles feel free to visit www.dogwoodpress.com for more information.

To stay connected with Mississippi Reads visit www.mississippireads.com.

(01/12/13) "Mississippi Reads" Welcomes Author Joe Lee

Conversations Book Club is pleased to announce that Mississippi author Joe Lee will be its first author to feature in 2013 as it discusses his literary journey and new book LAST CHANCE TEXACO.

The event is part of "Mississippi Reads", a new program geared towards reading MS authors and discussing books in the state. Held on Sat. January 12, 2013 at Appetizers Restaurant (3000 Hwy 80E) in Pearl, MS and moderated by book club President Cyrus Webb, the event is free and open to the public. Lee will also be signing copies of the book for those who wish to purchase it.

For more information contact Cyrus Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616. You can also visit www.mississippireads.com.

Cyrus Webb Introduces Mississippi Reads

Conversations Book Club President Cyrus Webb is excited to announce the launch of "Mississippi Reads" (www.mississippireads.com). "This is our way of not only celebrating Mississippi authors but events where those in Mississippi can discuss books," says Webb, 37.

Since 2006 Conversations Book Club has hosted over 100 authors events in MS, LA, TN, GA and TX---most of which have included Mississippi authors. "It's been important for me to include my home state that gave me my start," Webb says, "and I see this new site as a larger way to do that."

Through "Mississippi Reads" Webb will be spotlight the Magnolia State's literary talent and allow the site to be the place that discusses reads for each year.

The monthly Saturday meetings for "Mississippi Reads" will take place at Appetizers Restaurant (3000 Hwy 80 E) in Pearl, MS. The schedule for the year is as follows:

2013 MISSISSIPPI READS BOOK CLUB SELECTIONS (includes date of book discussion) 
(01/2013) "Last Chance Texaco" by Joe Lee (01/12/2013)
(02/2013) "A Dark Journey to a Light Future" by Tommie Mabry (02/09/2013)
(03/2013) "Married to Sin" by Darlene Collier with Meredith McGee (03/16/2013)
(04/2013) "An Unspeakable Secret" by Glenda Hunter (04/13/2013)
(05/2013) "A Crushed Rose" by Roszalia Ellen (05/11/2013)
(06/2013) "Sketchy" by Jason Lee Usry (06/15/2013)
(07/2013) "Way Beyond Pisgah" by Alean McIntyre Adams (07/13/2013)
(08/2013) "He Got That Package" by Anthony M. Ellis (08/17/2013)
(09/2013) "Rise Above: Conquering Adversities by Greg Little (09/14/2013)
(10/2013) "Hannibal" by Thomas Harris (10/12/2013)
(11/2013) "A Time To Kill" by John Grisham (11/09/2013)
(12/2013) "Borderline" by Nevada Barr (12/14/2013)

Meetings will take place at 1p.m. and will last about an hour. Each month is an opportunity to come together and discuss the book and the author and get the thoughts of those who attend each meeting. Admission is free, and in some instances the author will be in attendance.

The first meeting will take place on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 1p.m. with author Joe Lee discussing his book LAST CHANCE TEXACO.

For more information about "Mississippi Reads" contact Cyrus Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616. You can also stay abreast of all events at www.mississippireads.com.

CBC Report: Author Tommie Mabry's Book-Signing A Success!

(Sat. April 21, 2012) Shadow Play Entertainment and Conversations Book Club wish to thank all of those who supported the book-signing for Tommie Mabry, author of A DARK JOURNEY TO A LIGHT FUTURE on Sat. April 21, 2012 at the Pearl Public Library in Pearl, MS.

"The event was a success in every way imaginable," says Cyrus Webb, President of Conversations Book Club and host of the event. "It was great to finally meet Tommie and introduce him to book lovers in Rankin County." Webb had read A DARK JOURNEY and interviewed the author on his radio show Conversations LIVE over the phone. This was the first time they had met face to face.

Supporters of Conversations Book Club and the author came out to get copies of the book, converse with the author and learn more about his story that is chronicled in the book. Among those in attendance was Darlene Collier, author of MARRIED TO SIN.

Mabry's book is available on Amazon.com and additional information can be found about the author and the book at www.tommiemabry.com. To find out about upcoming events hosted by Conversations Book Club visit www.conversationsbookclub.com.

Author E. V. Adams Visit To Rankin Co.: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Conversations Book Club wishes to thank author E. V. Adams for allowing it to host a booksigning for her at the Pearl Public Library in Pearl, MS on Sat. March 17, 2012.

Adams' debut novel DARLING NIKKI was published in late February 2012, and already is available around the world in bookstores and online.


Conversations also thanks author Vershern Edwards for supporting the event and a fellow Mississippi author.

You can find additional information about E. V. Adams and her book on her website at www.evadams.com.

Author Glenda Hunter's Booksigning: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Thanks to everyone who supported author Glenda Hunter's first booksigning on Saturday, February 18, 2012 at the Pearl Public Library in Pearl, MS.

"I'm so proud of Glenda and what she is doing by sharing her story,"says Cyrus Webb, President of Conversations Book Club. "It's impossible to read her books and learn of her story and not be inspired."




During the event Glenda signed all three of her books and talked about her journey and the faith that helped her along the way.


Special thanks also goes out to the Pearl Public Library for their continued support.

All three of Glenda's books are available on Amazon.com. To stay in contact with upcoming events for Conversations Book Club visit www.conversationsbookclub.com

Author Greg Little: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED (January 2012)

(Saturday, January 14,2012) Thanks to all of those who made the booksigning for author Greg Little at the Pearl Public Library in Pearl, MS on Saturday, January 14, 2012 a success.

Hosted by Conversations Book Club President Cyrus Webb, the event allowed individuals to come out and meet the author, discuss his book RISE ABOVE and ask the author personally what he hopes readers take away from it.

Thanks especially goes out to the Pearl Public Library for its hospitality.



After the signing Webb got a chance to interview Little and ask him about how the book came about.



For more information about Dr. Greg Little, visit http://drgregdlittle.com/. To stay abreast of all the new projects for Conversations Book Club, visit www.conversationsbookclub.com.

Conversations Book Club and Author Jerome Cooper: Mission Accomplished!

Shadow Play Entertainment and Conversations Book Club would like to thank everyone who made the first booksigning for Mississippi author Jerome Cooper a success.

Hosted by Conversations Book Club President Cyrus Webb, the event took place on Thurs. April 28, 2011 at the Pearl Public Library (2416 Old Brandon Road * Pearl, MS), and Cooper got the opportunity to share the premise of his book as well as interact with patrons.





Find out more information about the author and the book, visit http://tinyurl.com/adualblessing. To see what is next for Conversations Book Club, visit www.coversationsbookclub.comor contact Cyrus Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616.

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