I’m going to be a junior this year and I want to know which AP prep books to get for English Language, Calculus AB, Physics 1, and Environmental Science.
Thank you for your help!
When I took Lang last year, I noticed that AP review books didn’t really help a lot. It was easier for me to find past AP Lang exams and do their multiple choice questions and their essays. Since Lang is more of analyzing the topics given to you, it’s difficult to predict what will and what won’t be on the exam. You can’t predict what passage/speech you will be tested on, but for essays, PRACTICE, and practice some more after that. That’s how I got a five on the exam, and I consider myself a pretty adept writer. I am taking AP enviro this year, so I can’t really help you there, haha!
If you’re looking for prep books I have always preferred the Princeton Review ones over Barrons or studying independently 
I like to have structure to my studying and the PR books helped me the most for that. Have used them for Environmental, Psych, and AP US& gotten 5s on each.
I would agree though that with English APs or Foreign Languages they will be of limited use.
I know that PR is good for AP Calc AB.
AP Physics 1 Essentials + either (PR or 5 steps). PR has a little more information, but 5 steps has an amazing author who provokes conceptual thinking in his problem walkthroughs.
AP Lang: If you have a very thorough teacher, I know some use the Cliff Notes book. For those who aren’t very confident with the material, Barron’s is good.
AP Enviro: A more simplistic course. Get Barron’s for thoroughness, 5 steps for a quicker review and good organization, and PR for a balanced review and good practice tests.