Festival Day 1: Friday Night at Woodneath Library Center

Enjoy live music and a reception with light hors d'oeuvres provided by Mid-Continent Public Library before the featured presentation with Percival Everett. You must register for a free ticket to attend the event and pre-reception.

Food and Drinks

Recommended restaurants near the historic Woodneath Library Center include:

Festival Day 2: Saturday morning and afternoon at the Central Library

Purchase coffee, salads, sandwiches, pastries, and more from The Nook, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., located near the Library’s front entrance. Look for special Festival-themed offerings, including drinks, such as The Page Turner and The Plot Twist, and desserts, like Author’s Bookmark Blondies and Author’s Apple Cobbler.

NEW: Food Trucks

Two food trucks will be parked just outside the Library: GOCHEW Burger & Sandwich and The Stuffed Mushroom.  

GOCHEW, based in Raytown, serves up Korean American fast food, including rice bowls, dumplings, burgers, nachos, and more. KCUR’s Creative Adventure newsletter listed it this summer as “one of the hottest AAHNPI-owned food trucks to try.” 

A finalist in 2025 and 2024 for Best Food Truck and Best Vegetarian Options in KC, The Stuffed Mushroom’s menu is “mushroom-centric,” with vegetarian and vegan takes on burgers, tacos, salads, pizza, quesadillas, and more.

More food options a short walk from the Library: 

Mildred’s Café: 908 Baltimore  

  • Coffee, tea, pastries, breakfast sandwiches, salads, sandwiches, and more 

  • Stop by to place an order or skip the line and order online 

  • **BOOK FEST DISCOUNT – 15% off with READBOOKS coupon code** (10/10 - 10/12)   

  • Open: breakfast and lunch: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.  

Milwaukee Deli: 101 W. 9th Street (9th and Baltimore)  

  • Pizza, sandwiches, calzones, fresh salads, local beer, cocktails, and more  

  • Stop by to place an order or skip the line and order online  

  • Open: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.  

Wrap it Up, 104 W. 9th Street (9th and Baltimore)  

  • Breakfast burritos, burritos, tacos, taco salad, nachos, quesadillas, and more  

  • Stop by to place an order or skip the line and order online  

  • Open: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.  

Fat Bee Cafe KC, 1111 Main Street 

  • Vietnamese artisan cafe, offering coffee, slushies, and tea drinks, including boba lattes  

  • Stop by to place an order or skip the line and order online. 

  • Open: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.  

 Made in KC Café & Taproom: 1114 Baltimore 

  • Artisanal pastries, coffee, tea, locally made wine and beer, and seasonal cocktails crafted by bartenders from a curated collection of Kansas City spirits, shrubs, and mixers 

  • Open: 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.