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.
Big Companies Doing Bad Things
This list is a mix of nonfiction, fiction, feature films, and documentaries about corporate scandals and wrongdoings.
Detective Novels
No matter what world or universe you may inhabit in the multiverse, there are rain-swept streets down which hard-bitten detectives walk.
Crime Never Takes a Holiday: St Patrick's Day
A selection of crime stories set on and around the celebration of St Patrick's Day.
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.
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.
Fun Drawing Books for Kids
Kids of all skill levels will love the simple instructions and cute doodles they can create - no screens needed!
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.
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.
Big Companies Doing Bad Things
This list is a mix of nonfiction, fiction, feature films, and documentaries about corporate scandals and wrongdoings.
Detective Novels
No matter what world or universe you may inhabit in the multiverse, there are rain-swept streets down which hard-bitten detectives walk.
Fun Drawing Books for Kids
Kids of all skill levels will love the simple instructions and cute doodles they can create - no screens needed!
Crime Never Takes a Holiday: St Patrick's Day
A selection of crime stories set on and around the celebration of St Patrick's Day.
Chaotic Movies
Craving chaos? These movies may invite stress and overwhelm. Enjoy!
Waiting on Theo of Golden?
Maybe try one of these similar reads while you move up the hold line...
Terri Blackstock Read-Alikes
Genres and Themes: Adult Fiction, Domestic Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Thriller, Christian
Women Through History for Kids
A selection of biographies about women who changed the world.
What will YOU choose?
Choose Your Own Adventure. Pick Your Path. You Choose. These interactive stories put the outcome of the plot into the reader's hands!
Women Through History
A selection of biographies for young readers about women who changed the world.
Listen Up! 2026 Audie Awards Winners and Finalists
The Audie Awards is the premier awards program in the United States recognizing distinction in audiobooks and spoken-word entertainment.
Women in Horror
Horror books written by women.
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!
Solarpunk
What if we came together as people to solve the ecological crises that we're facing? Explore the micro-genre solarpunk!