Articles - Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library

January 5, 2026 · Chris Blocker Fiction Five: Resolutions Follow protagonists who are aching to be discovered and to be seen for who they are. Like many of us who gaze forward at the dawn of a new year, these characters are on a path of self-discovery.

December 23, 2025 · Ginger Park Winter Reading Challenge Read at least 3 books during January 2026 to earn a cozy mug! This challenge is for all ages.

December 16, 2025 · Debbie Reiff Great Read Alouds: Welcoming a New Year Check out wonderful picture books about time and seasons to read with your young ones. The end and beginning of a year is an opportunity to teach kids about time and how we measure it.

December 5, 2025 · Kaitlyn Kriley Shawnee County's Best Books of 2025 Let's look back on another fantastic year of reading! Find books to add to your to-be-read list and find out if your favorites made one of our lists.

December 2, 2025 · Julie Nelson Lost in the Stacks: Too Good to Be Altogether Lost If you love Laura Ingalls Wilder, don’t miss this fresh new look at her beloved Little House books.

November 26, 2025 · Kaitlyn Kriley While you wait for The Impossible Fortune Check out novels with quirky and clever elderly characters who show us growing old doesn't have to be scary, even when murder may be involved.

November 18, 2025 · Rain Schultz-Pruner Great Read Alouds: Native American Heritage Month These children's books are a terrific way to experience the joy of storytelling and art whether your family has Native American heritage or you want to deepen your understanding of the people and culture.

November 5, 2025 · Deanna Niles Kid Tested, Librarian Recommended: Navigating change Diving into a good book is a way to learn how characters deal with change. Kids will enjoy these books because they’re filled with brave characters, exciting adventures and lots of heart.

November 5, 2025 · Chris Blocker Fiction Five: From one generation to the next Check out new novels that explore the idea of intriguing generational tales, spanning decades and even centuries to complete the story.

November 3, 2025 · Julie Nelson Lost in the Stacks: Destroy This House Her family? Bizarre. Her house? Hoarded. Yet Amanda dearly loved her complex, confounding parents.

October 27, 2025 · Ginger Park 30 Books in 30 Days: Kansas Reads to Preschoolers Challenge Check out our new PreK reading challenge just for kids birth - 5 years old! You and your little one will enjoy bonding time and increasing early literacy skills. Snuggle in for some great reads at least 30 times in November.

October 24, 2025 · Kaitlyn Kriley While you wait for Twice Check out novels that embrace the magic of second chances.

October 21, 2025 · Sherry Hess Great Read Alouds: Bird Watching The fall weather invites us to stop, wonder and look at nature. Discover entertaining books to inspire your family bird watching.

October 14, 2025 · Abigail Siemers What YA' Reading: You can do hard things Everyone has moments when things are difficult and you wonder if things will work out. Check out these engaging fiction reads where the main character learns they can do hard things.

October 7, 2025 · Chris Blocker Fiction Five: Explorations of science fiction Speculative premises and epic world-building abound in tales with elements of science fiction. If you’re looking for thrills and exploration, look no further than these new fiction releases.

October 6, 2025 · Julie Nelson Lost in the Stacks: Monopoly X Discover how a popular board game helped the allies during World War II.

October 2, 2025 · Emily Bays Kid Tested, Librarian Recommended: Friendly Ghosts Check out great books that are perfect for giving a kid's spine a chilly touch without keeping them awake into the night.

October 1, 2025 · Kaitlyn Kriley While you wait for The Pumpkin Spice Cafe Warm up to cozy novels with fall-tastic elements that will help you relax and escape.

September 24, 2025 · Kaitlyn Kriley Journey Through the Genres: Disappear into romantasy We'll help you understand romantasy and recommend superb reads to get you started in this popular new genre.

September 22, 2025 · Ginger Park Fall Reading Challenge Read three books in October and win a wicked cool collectible pint glass! This reading challenge is for all ages.

September 18, 2025 · Andrew Ross What YA' Reading: Escape with heart racing horror Halloween is just around the corner! Get in the spirit with recommended YA horror tales.

September 15, 2025 · Debbie Updegraff Great Read Alouds: Exploring Rocks Dig into some of our favorite picture books for rock collectors!

September 9, 2025 · Chris Blocker Fiction Five: Coming Home Check out five new novels that explore the hospitality and the challenges of having a place to call home.

September 8, 2025 · Julie Nelson Lost in the Stacks: Daughters of the Bamboo Grove Zanhua's twins were loved, wanted and illegal. Could she save them from Chinese authorities? This new nonfiction book uncovers their story.