Heather says:
This suspenseful mystery unfolds carefully, exposing secrets with such majesty that it will take your breath away. I didn’t see the end coming, and neither will you!
Tracy
Escape from Camp 14 by Blaine Harrison
Vicki says:
The true story of Shin Dong Hyuk’s escape from one of North Korea’s political prisons, and his struggle for freedom.
The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
Vicki says:
If you haven’t read this, please do. From page one, you will instantly be a part of the childhood of Jeannette Walls and her loving but child-like and irresponsible parents.
Monty says:
A wonderful memoir of all the adventures and tragedies a young girl lives through while growing up with a very dysfunctional family. It is a book that will hold your attention; you will not want to put it down.
Donna says:
Based on a true story, this movie is a window into a very dysfunctional family, the damage it did, and strangely enough, the unconditional love it generated. For people that have gone through hard times with their own brand of craziness, this is a hilarious, emotional, and cleansing flick. I highly recommend it.
Hiding in the Light by Rifqa Bary
Vicki says:
A young Muslim girl living in the U.S. converts to Christianity and finds love and forgiveness for those who persecute her.
Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter by Kate Clifford Larson
Tanya says:
An interesting look into the Kennedy family, delving into the one member who seemed to almost be forgotten. It’s a very sad yet also sweet telling of the best kept secrets of the Kennedys.
Vicki says:
The most beautiful of the Kennedy girls could not keep up intellectually, and for many years was hidden away, until a visit from JFK.
Giant Squid by Candace Fleming
Tracy says:
Marvelous artwork creates an eerie, haunting picture that is echoed in the poetic text. Haunting, exciting, mysterious. Brilliant!
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
Heather says:
This elegantly written dystopian offers the reader a safe haven and then rips it away. Carrie Ryan doesn’t hold back on the horrors of zombies in this one!
Delilah Dirk and the King’s Shilling by Tony Cliff
Elizabeth says:
A wonderfully illustrated, thrilling adventure story filled with sword fighting, adventure, and comedy.
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle
Marianne says:
“It was a dark and stormy night.” From the opening line to the very last sentence, this is a heart-pounding adventure through space and time. It will always be a winner.
Pax by Sara Pennypacker
Marianne says:
For the animal lovers. Pax is an adventure and also a lesson in love. True love, unselfish love. Touching and emotional.
Steph S. says:
An adventure story about a boy and his pet fox. Grab the tissues.
LearningExpress Library: Job & Career Accelerator
- Build résumés and job letters with step-by-step online builders, or use expert tutorials to create a great résumé or cover letter on your own.
- Find your career match through interest and skills quizzes.
- Explore a variety of occupations, including STEM jobs and the most in-demand fields with the highest growth potential. Also includes how-to guides for new veterans.
- Learn to interview with confidence or negotiate a salary with video tutorials, plus access a variety of interview-related sample letters.
- Find schools and scholarships matching your career goals and background.
- And more!
Explore the LearningExpress Library: Job & Career Accelerator
LearningExpress Library: Adult Core Skills
Small Business Source
Topics include:
- planning and starting a business (or nonprofit);
- the basics of running a business and keeping it relevant in an ever-changing climate;
- information on legal issues, marketing, and taxes & accounting;
- as well as start-up kits and forms to help you from your first steps into business to your last.
As Brave as You by Jason Reynolds
Marianne says:
A nice story about city kids (brothers) and a slow-moving summer spent with grandparents on a remote farm in Virginia. They learn about family, friendship, and consequences.
All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
Steph S. says:
Two unlikely friends bond over an attempt at suicide, a class project, and a need to heal and protect one another.
A Perfectly Messed-Up Story by Patrick McDonnell
Pam says:
Expect the unexpected in this story! You never know what you might find inside a book.
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
Elizabeth says:
The story flowed easily and never lost my interest. I loved all the different points of view!
The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater
Crystal says:
I listened to the audiobook and was instantly drawn back into the world of Stiefvater’s Raven Cycle, thanks to her brilliant use of description and her enigmatic characters. This book perfectly completes the story that began in the first book and kept my interest from start to finish.
Stephanie S. says:
A good storyteller effortlessly compels you to experience the spectrum of emotion; I laughed, I cried, etc. This is true of Stiefvater, and especially true in The Raven King. The book grips you from the first sentence and doesn’t let you go. You will be on the edge of your seat until the end, and what an ending it will be.
Burn Baby Burn by Meg Medina
Tracy says:
Well-developed, authentic characters and a unique setting make Burn Baby Burn one of my most memorable reads of 2016. The juxtaposition of the fear that permeated New York City during the Summer of Sam with Nora’s own troubled home life creates a sense of edgy urgency that pulled me into the story completely.
The Fireman by Joe Hill
Beth says:
Fans of Stephen King may already know that Joe Hill is his son, and you will see many nods to King’s works in this riveting book. Hill’s work is getting progressively better—from Heart-Shaped Box, Horns, and NOS4A2, Hill seems to have found his niche and takes you on a ride you never want to end. The Fireman is a terrific read, with characters I cared about within the first 50 pages. Every time I put it down, I was burning to pick it up again to keep reading. The best book I read all year!
Heather says:
This book swept me off my feet, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. A gloriously wild nightmare that careened me breathless and amazed into a satisfying conclusion.
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
Stephanie S. says:
Paul Kalanithi always wanted to be a writer; instead, he followed in his father’s footsteps and became a doctor. I am sure many lives were saved by Kalaithi’s hands, but I mourn the loss of the writer. When simultaneously faced with death and new life, Kalanithi struggles with the one question we all struggle to answer; why are we here? And in my opinion, he answers it. Full of hope, full of wonder, Kalanitih will help you look at your world through a different perspective. A highly enjoyable read!
The Abundance by Annie Dillard
Tracy says: Annie Dillard can always be counted on for an offbeat perspective on seemingly everyday occurrences, and her way of observing the natural world is nothing short of inspiring. She’s not for everyone, but her writing always leaves me in awe.
And Then There Were None
Ten people are lured to a private island by invitations from a mysterious host, and terror mounts when guests die one by one.
LearningExpress Library: Career Preparation
Includes military and officer exam training and aptitude tests, plus e-books and practice exams in several other fields ranging from nursing and allied health to culinary arts.
Featured career overviews include:
- Allied heath
- Caseworker
- Culinary arts
- Federal careers
- Green careers
- Law enforcement
- Legal
- Nursing
- Teaching
- Also: Changing careers and career information for veterans
Featured exam preparations include:
- Air Traffic Controller exam (AT-SAT)
- Allied Health and Social Worker exams
- Civil Service exams
- CDL exams
- Cosmetology exams
- Hospitality exams
- Electrician and Plumbing exams
- EMS and Firefighting exams
- Law Enforcement exams
- Military exams
- Nursing exams
- Real Estate exams
- Teaching exams
- WorkKeys® Assessments and the TOEIC®
LearningExpress Library: GED Test Prep Center
