This article first appeared in The Kansas City Star on December 8, 2024.

On a scale of low commitment to high commitment, checking out a library book is certainly at the low end, while buying a book as a gift can bring out the commitment-phobe in anyone.

Fear not.

Whether you’re whiling away a long winter’s night with an e-reader or pacing through an independent bookstore figuring out what to buy your brother-in-law, these book recommendations from Library staff will clue you in on some already-beloved titles.

Because the Library is in the business of giving away free knowledge, entertainment, and myriad resources – not selling things – note that every book on this curated list is available in the Library’s catalogue.

Staff members will discuss even more book recommendations at 6 p.m. December 12 at the Plaza Branch, 4801 Main Street. RSVP at kclibrary.org. Photographers from The Kansas City Star will be on-site offering free holiday portraits for attendees.

Cookbooks

Snacking Cakes by Yossy Arefi

A book full of quick, one-bowl cake recipes complete with suggested toppings beyond a simple glaze. A great choice for the friend who loves baking but struggles to find the time to do it. — Melissa Carle, director of information systems

Somebody Feed Phil the Book by Phil Rosenthal

If you’ve seen his show, you’ll love Phil’s book. Heck, even if you haven’t seen Somebody Feed Phil, you can’t help but look in on in amazement at this stunning collection of recipes from around the world and laugh while you enjoy Rosenthal’s anecdotes about his travels to try some of the world’s most fantastic cuisine. — David Cox, interlibrary loan team leader

Biography/memoir

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

In this book, the author explores her identity through the grieving process for her mother and incorporates detailed ingredients, recipes, and accounts of how Korean food has impacted her in various aspects and stages of life. – Abbey Briscoe, special collections associate

As an adoptee, I felt drawn to the character’s struggles to fit in as a Korean American. This book got me through some rough times, and I think it’s the perfect holiday gift for feeling less alone. – Tshulthrim Zangmo, talent acquisition specialist

Down the Drain by Julia Fox

The perfect memoir for the “it girl” in your life. Uncover Julia Fox’s complicated and intricate story, that is so much more than what you see on the surface. You will be hooked from the first page. — Savannah Gray, community resource specialist

Belle da Costa Greene: A Librarian’s Legacy by Belle da Costa Greene, Erica Ciallela (ed.)

A fascinating story about the life of the first director of J. Pierpont Morgan’s library. She transformed his personal library into one of the world’s most treasured research libraries and museums, all while having a major secret. The book sheds light on the concept of “racial passing” in the United States. — Sharon Sanders Brooks, civic engagement specialist

Graphic novels

Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe

This is a great series for teens through adults that is a modern take on stories in Greek mythology. It’s beautifully drawn and keeps the spirit of the originals while imbuing them with a modern feel. I couldn’t get enough of this romance/mythology mashup. — Abbey Ludlow, library substitute

Shubeik Lubeik by Deena Mohamed

A stunning and moving graphic novel that answers the question, “What would you do with three wishes?” in three intertwining stories, told in vibrant color and kinetic black and white panels. A contemporary fairy tale for fans and new readers of graphic novels. — Kaite Stover, director of readers’ services

Jujutsu Kaisen, Vol. 1 by Gege Akutami

This is a great gift for any teenager or avid manga reader. It tells a story of a young teen whose life gets thrown upside down after encountering a cursed object. — Vianney Herrera, senior library technical assistant

Sci-fi/fantasy

A Psalm for the Wild-Built: A Monk and Robot Book by Becky Chambers

A rejuvenating read when you’re feeling lost or hopeless, the story offers a gentle hand to hold and quietly reminds us that sometimes, hope and purpose can be found in the smallest of moments. It’s a refreshingly honest exploration of self-doubt and the kind of read that offers a warm cup of optimism. Plus, who doesn’t love a story about a silly robot who likes bugs? — Sunny Branick, branch manager

When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill

This is a standalone, historical fantasy where everything in the world reflects reality, except that women spontaneously turn into dragons. It’s a touching, heart-wrenching novel about girlhood and finding your place in the world, but also burning down the establishment with dragon fire. Perfect for people who may be intimidated by fantasy books. — Sydney Van Dyke, senior library assistant

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

If you believe that libraries are a magical place, this book takes that to the next level. Filled with fantasy, time travel, cats who are also guides (when they feel like it), doors that lead to fantastic places (when they feel like it), fate, destiny, love, life, death, and more books than you could imagine, all housed in a magic underground library, this book is perfect for all the bookworms who are adventurers in their own minds. — Rachel Lane, library assistant

Feline

Meow by Sam Austen

This book was a beautiful read. It was hard to understand, but I think that’s part of its charm. Plus, you can read it with your cat! — Flor Rosas, library assistant

Kids and/or teens

The Book That Can Read Your Mind by Marianna Coppo

Talk about the magic of picture books. Kids will be shocked and amazed at this interactive book, which uses the power of elimination to guess what they are thinking. Excellent for sharing or independent reading. — Jessie Caliman, information & reference services librarian

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

This book, the first in a trilogy, follows two teens from opposite sides of a great war and explores themes of growing and learning from those around you, as well as growing into an individual. For fans of sci-fi, steampunk, and alternate history, this is a wonderful read in front of the fire or cuddled up in bed with a hot drink. — Gwyn Belmont, digital corps member

Fake Famous by Dana L. Davis

If you grew up loving Hannah Montana or The Lizzie McGuire Movie, you’ll enjoy this book. A young farm girl switches lives with her pop star look alike. This was the perfect escape for the middle school girl in me. — Katelyn Betz, graphic designer

The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond by Amanda Glaze

This book covers all the bases: It’s suspenseful, supernatural, and thrilling all in a period rarely covered in historical fiction. Twins Edie and Violet Bond are hiding their supernatural abilities in plain sight by living among fraudsters in a traveling spiritualism show. When a string of murders begins, they must find a way to protect their secret and the lives of their new family. — Chinesa Rusch, youth associate

Nonfiction

The Great River: The Making and Unmaking of the Mississippi by Boyce Upholt

Equal parts history, engineering, politics, sociology, and anthropology, Upholt has created an amazing story of the Mississippi River. He explores the tragic ways man has tried to control the uncontrollable. — Joel Jones, deputy director for library services

Didion and Babitz by Lili Anolik

Joan Didion, for all she wrote, has remained a rather enigmatic figure. With this book we get to see her through the eyes of a frenemy, Eve Babitz, and learn quite a bit more about both women through Babitz’s sharp and sharply worded missives. — Bernard Norcott, senior library assistant

Fiction

James by Percival Everett

A brilliant, action-packed reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, both harrowing and fiercely funny, told from the enslaved Jim’s point of view. — Elaine Bilyeu, outreach operations specialist

Percival Everett brings to life the voice of Jim and brilliantly weaves together a perspective long missing from the original work. — Abby Yellman, library director and chief executive

The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

The mystic beauty in these pages offers a welcome turning within. Passages call me back again and again with reminders about life, death, friendship, and so much more. — Mary Batson, employee engagement & project manager

The Women by Kristin Hannah

I’ve never been so moved by a book. This incredible piece of historical fiction shines a light on the women who served in the Vietnam War. — Misty Eytcheson, public affairs director

The power of this story cannot be overstated. It will envelop your mind and, most importantly, your heart far after the conclusion of the book. An important and often overlooked perspective during a tumultuous period in our history. — Abby Yellman, library director and chief executive

North Woods by Daniel Mason

The prose of this historical fiction is unique and experimental. The author weaves the history of America through a single house in the New England woods, those who occupy it and, ultimately, how they’re connected to each other. I’ve never read anything like it and believe that one day it will be considered classic American literature. — Sarah Biegelsen, special collections librarian/archivist