Books featured in The Star to ignite your next conversation

The curated articles highlight engaging books that spark conversations on modern themes. These works explore topics like technology, identity, activism, and history through storytelling.

In "Death of the Author," Nnedi Okorafor delves into AI and human narratives. Her novel features a writing professor and a storytelling robot, Ankara, who transforms its story into a bestseller. The book explores themes of creation and legacy amidst dystopian settings.

"Let Them Stare," by Julie Murphy and Jonathan Van Ness, taps into queer history. A ghostly drag performer helps a young person discover their identity. The story weaves comedy with historical narratives to send a message of connection across time.

Rebekah Taussig's "Sitting Pretty" challenges perceptions of disability. Her memoir emphasizes the importance of societal change to accommodate diverse bodies. Taussig advocates for viewing disability as a shared experience rather than a personal burden.

Rebekah Taussig, pictured here in 2020, wrote a memoir about her life in a wheelchair. It will be the first read of the KC Pop-Up Book Group for 2025. By Provided

NO. 1: REVAMPED KANSAS CITY BOOK GROUP’S FIRST PICK AIMS TO JUMP-START ACCESSIBILITY CONVERSATION

The book’s author said she is “cautiously hopeful that this would actually lead to meaningful shifts in how we show up as a community in Kansas City.” The KC Pop-Up Book Group will discuss it in March. | Published February 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Anne Kniggendorf

Bestselling romance author Julie Murphy and “Queer Eye” star Jonathan Van Ness have paired up on their latest book, a young adult novel about queer history. By Provided

NO. 2: ‘QUEER EYE’ STAR & KC AUTHOR REAWAKEN QUEER HISTORY IN NEW YOUNG ADULT NOVEL

Here’s how to join the discussion about the new campy, ghostly and romantic book from two bestselling writers. | Published May 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Anne Kniggendorf

Elyce Arons, best friend and business partner of Kansas City native Kate Spade, seen her in March 2016 at Halls in Crown Center, has memorialized their friendship in a book debuting this week, “We Might Just Make It After All.”

NO. 3: KATE SPADE FRIEND AND BUSINESS PARTNER TAKES ‘WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE’ IN NEW BOOK

Kansas native and former KU student Elyce Arons built two fashion empires with Spade. | Published June 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Lisa Gutierrez

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Award-winning author Nnedi Okorafor wrote “Death of the Author” to explore themes of AI, robotics, humanity and authorship. It’s the KC Pop-Up Book Club’s fall pick.

NO. 4: NOVEL EXAMINING AI & HUMANITY IS NEW KC BOOK CLUB PICK. JOIN THE CONVERSATION

A disgraced writing professor crafts a multimillion-dollar bestseller. | Published September 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chandler Boese

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.