GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — The Grand Island Public Library is spicing things up with the return of its Cooking the Books Book Club for a third series, set to kick off on Saturday, August 9, 2025 at 12 p.m. This culinary adventure invites the community to explore the rich tapestry of flavors that connect generations.
This month’s meeting aligns with the library’s exhibit, “Then & Now: The Flavors of Grand Island,” a collaboration with the Stuhr Museum. The exhibit highlights immigrant-owned restaurants and historic buildings that have shaped the city’s diverse food culture.
Participants are encouraged to dive into community cookbooks—those beloved collections from churches, schools and civic groups that preserve local culinary traditions. Attendees can select a cookbook and bring a dish that embodies the theme of communal cooking to share with the group.
“Community cookbooks tell the story of our communities throughout the generations,” said Shaun Klee, Reference & Collections Services Librarian. “They’re the perfect complement to our current exhibit celebrating the diverse flavors that immigrant families have brought to Grand Island throughout the decades.”
Cooking the Books is a unique book club for food enthusiasts, offering a space for recipe inspiration and lively discussion. Each month, participants explore a themed cookbook, prepare dishes at home, and gather to share their culinary creations and experiences.
The full 2025–2026 Cooking the Books schedule is available online. The Grand Island Public Library serves residents of the City of Grand Island and Hall County, offering free library cards to those who live in or own property within Hall County. For more information, visit the library’s website or follow them on social media.