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.
What's on The Moon?
As NASA returns to the moon with the launch of the Artemis II mission, we have to wonder: what's *really* up there?
Crime Never Takes a Holiday: Easter
A selection of crime novels set on and around Easter.
Contemporary Poetry Sampler
April is Poetry Month! Here's a sampling of some of my favorite poetry books, with some favorite poems from each book to get you started.
Artemis II Launch
Artemis II is a planned lunar flyby mission under the Artemis program, launched April 1, 2026.
Women's History Month in Graphic Novels
Check out these graphic non-fic titles for women's history month!
Books for older teens and new adults
New Adult books have appeal for a wide age range and feature themes that both teens and adults will relate to.
Black Teen Romance
February is a time to celebrate Valentine's Day and Black History Month. Here are teen romances written by a Black authors!
Fútbol America: Books for Kids
A selection of football (soccer) fiction for younger readers ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Your library staff's favorite dinosaurs 🦕
We asked our staff what their favorite dinosaurs are. Here are their answers!
Children's Music That Caregivers Can Tolerate
Like adults, children deserve good-quality music. Just not the kind that causes caregivers to cover their eyes and pull out their hair!
Screen Time & Internet Safety for Kids
Fiction and nonfiction titles for little ones, middle grade kids, teens, and adults.
Northwest Region Reads: Childhood Favorites
Staff at the Monticello and Shawnee branches shared children's books they loved as kids & books they now enjoy reading to their own kiddos.
Children's Music That Caregivers Can Tolerate
Like adults, children deserve good-quality music. Just not the kind that causes caregivers to cover their eyes and pull out their hair!
Search and Find By Picture
Search-and-Find books that have you seek based on pictures, no words required. Readers of all literacy levels can participate in the search!
Picturebooks about War
If children are asking difficult questions about war, these picturebooks may help begin answering them in ways they can understand.
Staff Pick Spotlight: America 250
Kansas Poetry
The Kansas 250 Bookshelf was created by the State Library of Kansas in conjunction with America 250.
Love Your Kansas Community
Celebrate Kansas with these books related to the history and events of various Kansas communities.
America 250 Reading List
To celebrate the America's 250th anniversary, PBS Books made this booklist to celebrate the people, events, and ideals that made America.
Kansas: The Road to Statehood
America 250: Learn about the State of Kansas from the early native Kanza tribe, to the early pioneer days, to Bloody Kansas.
What's on The Moon?
As NASA returns to the moon with the launch of the Artemis II mission, we have to wonder: what's *really* up there?
Crime Never Takes a Holiday: Easter
A selection of crime novels set on and around Easter.
Contemporary Poetry Sampler
April is Poetry Month! Here's a sampling of some of my favorite poetry books, with some favorite poems from each book to get you started.
Artemis II Launch
Artemis II is a planned lunar flyby mission under the Artemis program, launched April 1, 2026.
Northwest Region Reads: Childhood Favorites
Staff at the Monticello and Shawnee branches shared children's books they loved as kids & books they now enjoy reading to their own kiddos.
Poetry as Crucible
Engage with National Poetry Month with these titles that display poetry's ability to transform and alchemize grief, wonder, memory and love.
Read Around The World (Cup)
As excitement builds for the World Cup, enjoy these novels that take place in/are written by authors from each qualifying World Cup country!
Saving Matt Damon
That lovable scamp Matt Damon gets into all sorts of trouble and needs to be rescued almost every time!
Your library staff's favorite dinosaurs 🦕
We asked our staff what their favorite dinosaurs are. Here are their answers!
Autism Reads for Late Diagnosed Women
...and those wanting to better understand them. The spectrum is broad and each story can help fill in the bigger picture.
My Ideal Bookshelf
Here you'll find my favorite character-driven stories, complex people, and stylistic complexity and evocative, lyrical language.
Funny Books Guaranteed to Make You LOL
According to Eppie Shepherd and Penguin UK editors, these titles will have you laughing out loud.
A Sip & A Story: Happy National Afternoon Tea Month 🍵
For National Afternoon Tea Month, I'm bringing you a handpicked selection of books to be enjoyed at afternoon tea.
The Vampires We Need
In her book "Our Vampires, Ourselves," Professor Nina Auerbach writes that “every age embraces the vampire it needs.”
My Ideal Bookshelf
Scifi/fantasy adventures, steamy page-turners, happy endings, and queer characters. Escape into some of my favorites!
You Read What as a Kid? A Gen X Reading List
A selection of books I and many other voracious Generation X readers picked up a tad too early (but still loved).