|
|
History and Current Events August 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
A Cruise to Nowhere: My Search for Amy Lynn Bradley
by James Renner
Gripping, suspenseful, and layered with insight, this is the first full account of the infamous disappearance of Amy Lynn Bradley while onboard a cruise ship in the Caribbean--from the acclaimed author of True Crime Addict. In March 1998, the Bradley family--Ron, Iva, and their children, Amy and Brad--boarded the Rhapsody of the Seas for a week-long Caribbean cruise. The trip was a chance to celebrate Ron's success at work and Amy's college graduation. In the early hours of March 24, Amy Bradley--a pretty, athletic 23-year-old--returned to the family's stateroom with Brad after dancing at the ship's nightclub. Amy grabbed a blanket and went out to sleep on the balcony. A few hours later, her father awoke to find her gone. With empathy and a keen eye, Renner interviews witnesses who speak on record for the first time, offering fascinating new theories, and explores a little-known side of Amy's life that may explain everything about her fate.
|
|
| Never Tell a Black Girl How to Black Girl: Essays by Amena BrownAmena Brown’s book Never Tell a Black Girl How to Black Girl blends storytelling, humor, and pop culture commentary to traverse the magic and wisdom she's gleaned from being raised by Southern Black women, and supported by the community of Black women who hold her down today. After graduating from the International Black Girl Headquarters (the renowned HBCU Spelman College), Amena has built a career telling stories and celebrating Black womanhood. In her book, she shares stories of dancing in Janelle Monae's "Tightrope" music video and partnering with Tracee Ellis Ross to compose odes to natural hair. She imparts essential life lessons from the Real Housewives of Atlanta, and tells hair tales, including wisdom on the ideal style for her first speaking gig at Essence Fest. |
|
|
|
Route 66: A Tribute to an American Icon
by Dk Travel
A bold celebration of America's most famous highway. Route 66 is undoubtedly the world's most beloved road trip, having inspired music, film, books, and countless adventures. Created to mark the highway's 100-year anniversary, Route 66: A Tribute to an American Icon follows the Mother Road from Chicago to Los Angeles, spotlighting the legendary, can't-miss landmarks that make this journey the ultimate all-American road trip. Inside you'll discover: Must-see stops and attractions, including classic diners, museums, motels, and muffler men. Maps for the eight states that Route 66 passes through: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. Curated playlists for each state. Stories of pivotal moments in the road's history, like the strife of the Eagle-Picher Miners' strike and the essential guidance of the Green Book. Tips for preparing for your journey, including planning your route, choosing your vehicle, and useful websites. Whether you're mapping out your next vacation, collecting Americana, or searching for the perfect travel gift, this joyful tribute is your invitation to hit the highway.
|
|
|
|
Chock Full of Nuts: My 28 Days Inside a Premier Psychiatric Hospital and the Shocking Truth
by Jakob Williams
With firsthand experience in what he darkly dubs summer camp, a euphemism for a modern-day asylum, JaKob Williams recounts harrowing episodes of institutional care, reflecting on the controversial methods still in use today. From grappling with electroconvulsive shock therapy to navigating the labyrinth of mental health care, he exposes a system resistant to progress, while offering hope to those who feel different, broken, or lost. Williams shares extraordinary personal experiences: a near-death fall on Mount Fuji that led to a life-altering promise, daring adventures as a competitive runner and climber, and his transformation into a celebrated yet unconventional artist. A riveting blend of personal confession, societal critique, and a dash of rebellious wit, Chock Full of Nuts is a story for anyone ready to stand up when the world tells them to sit down.
|
|
|
|
Blizzard of Lies: Karen Read, John O'Keefe, and the Shocking Unsolved Murder in Cop Town, USA
by Dave Wedge
In January 2022, a Boston police officer turned up dead in the snow, seemingly a victim of a simple hit-and-run. But Officer John O'Keefe's death kicked off a scandalous whodunit that invited federal scrutiny and triggered nationwide outrage. The explosive story of O'Keefe's death, and the subsequent accusation and trial of his girlfriend Karen Read, ignited one of the most high-profile true crime mysteries in decades. The apparently open-and-shut manslaughter case quickly devolved into a chaotic mixture of lies, institutional corruption, and police cover-ups that threw the Massachusetts law enforcement scene into turmoil. The definitive narrative of a controversial, headline-grabbing tragedy, Blizzard of Lies dispels the myths and misinformation around John O'Keefe's death to chronicle a vivid account of a complex case and the lasting emotional toll on all involved.
|
|
| The Housewives Underground: The Untold Story of the Women Who Made the JFK... by Kaitlyn TiffanyIn the winter of 1967, the official account of the Kennedy assassination was beginning to unravel. A scattered group of Americans had pointed to major problems with the report prepared by President Johnson’s handpicked Warren Commission. Many of the most serious criticisms of the government’s work came from a source that surprised some: women who, within the community of critics, outnumbered the men two to one.The Atlantic staff writer Kaitlyn Tiffany's compelling and well-researched history details how three fearless American women became amateur detectives in the 1960s and '70s and antagonized the government to reveal the truth about John F. Kennedy, Jr.'s 1963 assassination. |
|
Contact your librarian for more great books!
|
|
|
|
|
|