News of the World, by Paulette Jiles is one of the best books I have read this year. It is now a motion picture starring Tom Hanks. This historical fiction is set in the years after the civil war in the wild and unsettled land of Texas. The captain is entrusted to return a young girl to her family after being a Kiowa captive for several years. They travel in a covered wagon and encounter many challenges along the way. If you like history and tales of overcoming great adversity, you will enjoy this book! ~Betsy – January, 2021

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The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien was the first book that transported me to another world. It instilled in me a sense of wonder and stoked my imagination. Join Bilbo as he journeys through great and terrible challenges to rob the dragon Smaug.  ~Jason – February, 2021

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Life Between Lives, by Michael Newton. Many of us have wondered about what happens after we die. This book addresses this subject in a unique way since it is based on experiences, not faith alone. Written by a psychologist, hypnotherapist, and teacher, this book recounts and analyzes the experiences of many people. Very interesting information!  ~Mark

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One wonders how life must be in North Korea. A Thousand Miles to Freedom is an incredibly interesting autobiography of a young girl, her mother and older sister.  She tells her story of her 9-year journey escaping North Korea. It started in 1997 when she was 11 years old, starving to death and the story just keeps getting worse.  Her Father dies, they’re placed in North Korean prison camps, caught by Chinese human traffickers and so much more.  This young girl persevered through so much.  This was an amazing book, especially if you are interested in history.  The book gives a good vision of how the North Korean government runs and how they treat their citizens with starvation, torture, prison camps, no freedom of expression, isolation/control of their people.  It really opens your eyes.  At first, I didn’t know if the translation of the book would make it difficult to understand. It was an easy read and definitely hard to put down once I started reading it. This Non-Fiction book shared so many experiences and left a huge impression on how people are treated in countries like North Korea.  ~Peggy – April, 2021

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Cemetery Boys  Author: Aiden Thomas

Of the books I have read within the past year, Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas is one that stands out when I think back on the numerous books I have read. At its core, Cemetery Boys tells the story of Yadriel, a trans Latinx boy, who is trying to prove to his family that he can be a brujo, a practitioner of magic that ensure spirits pass on safely into the next life. In his quest to prove himself, he conducts the ritual required to become a brujo and in doing so summons the ghost of his classmate Julian. However, Julian is not ready to leave and wants to tie up loose ends and solve his murder before crossing over. If you’re into the occult, mysteries, and unexpected twists, I highly recommend this book. ~Lourdes – January, 2022

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A Girl of the Limberlost  Author:  Gene Stratton-Porter

A Girl of the Limberlost is truly a masterpiece. My favorite aspect of the book is how each character is able to grow and develop throughout the book. If I could recommend any book that an individual should read during their lifetime, it would probably be The Girl of the Limberlost.  ~Kaitlyn – January, 2022