Staff Picks
What should you read, watch or listen to next? We're so glad you asked!
Love stumbling on a fun book display at the library? Welcome to the online version! Dive into our Library staff’s top picks—books, movies, music, and more—by theme, age, awards, read-alikes, and all kinds of cool topics we just can’t stop talking about.
Library Staff: What's Been on Your For Later Shelf Forever?
For some of us, books can sit on the for-later shelf for years, and the list just grows. Mine is over 700 titles long!
Recommended by New York Times Newsletter "The Morning" III
Recommendations and descriptions come from the NYT newsletter or a NYT review.
Celebrate Classical Music Month
Celebrate Classical Music Month in September by exploring the history, composers and multiple facets of this music!
Teen Thrillers with Latine & Indigenous Characters
Check out these tingling reads with Latine & Indigenous characters!
Fast-Paced Reads for Teens
Whether you're in a reading slump or books often bore you, try one of these!
September Means Fall!
Begone, 100 degree days! Here's some books for all ages about the fall season!
Thrillers & Horror with POC Characters for Middle Grade
Check out these suspenseful & scary stories with POC characters!
Healing after a Loss
Losing someone you love is never easy. This collection of books for school-age children offers comforting stories and gentle guidance.
September Means Fall!
Begone, 100 degree days! Here's some books for all ages about the fall season!
Caturday: Funny Picture Books about Cats
Celebrate Caturday with these funny picture books about cats!
September is Library Card Sign-up Month!
Sure you can have fun without a library card, but it is easier if you have one!
Falling Into Autumn
As our days get shorter, we get closer to the Autumnal Equinox! The 2026 Autumnal Equinox is on September 22nd.
Staff Pick Spotlight: America 250
Spotlight on Individual Kansans
Our America 250 August focus spotlights individual Kansans.
Kansas Food and Cookbooks
Our July Kansas 250 booklist focus features Kansas Food and Cookbooks.
Kansas and U.S. History
The Kansas 250 Bookshelf's June focus is Kansas and U.S. History.
Kansas in Youth Literature
The May focus of the Kansas 250 bookshelf features Kansas related youth literature.
Library Staff: What's Been on Your For Later Shelf Forever?
For some of us, books can sit on the for-later shelf for years, and the list just grows. Mine is over 700 titles long!
September Means Fall!
Begone, 100 degree days! Here's some books for all ages about the fall season!
Black Fantasy - Adult
Fantasy novels with Black characters for adults.
Recommended by New York Times Newsletter "The Morning" III
Recommendations and descriptions come from the NYT newsletter or a NYT review.
Caturday: Funny Picture Books about Cats
Celebrate Caturday with these funny picture books about cats!
Celebrate Classical Music Month
Celebrate Classical Music Month in September by exploring the history, composers and multiple facets of this music!
Oak Park Book Group Recommends- August 2026
A general list of books/movies that came up at the Oak Park Book Group for the discussion of the book The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
September is Library Card Sign-up Month!
Sure you can have fun without a library card, but it is easier if you have one!
Thrillers with Characters with Disabilities - Adult
These thrillers feature characters living with disabilities.
Falling Into Autumn
As our days get shorter, we get closer to the Autumnal Equinox! The 2026 Autumnal Equinox is on September 22nd.
Robots with Emotions
These science fiction novels and movies all feature robots with emotions, a topic that frequently brings me to tears (good tears!).
Storytime with Becky Carleton - Fall 2026
Books, songs, links to videos of fingerplays and more!
Feel-Good Cozy Mysteries
Warm and intriguing, like a chai latte!
Black Teens in Fantasy Novels
Check out these fantasies featuring Black teens!
Thank you, Dolly Parton!
Honoring Dolly Parton's legacy as a philanthropist, diva, songwriter, actress, producer, businesswoman, icon and champion of literacy.
Dreaming of Libraries
Find inspiration about the past and future of libraries with this list.
Your Library. Your Voice.
Johnson County Library is looking toward the future with a new long-term plan. We need your help to create better services and bigger impact. Add your voice to the Library's story!
