Sourdough Stories at Your Library
By Victoria Lafean, Adult Programming Librarian
National Sourdough Bread Day is recognized on April 1, 2025. It appreciates one of the world’s oldest leavened breads. In the “Encyclopedia of Food Microbiology,” Michael Gaenzle writes: “One of the oldest sourdough breads dates from 3700 BCE and was excavated in Switzerland, but the origin of sourdough fermentation likely relates to the origin of agriculture in Egypt several thousand years earlier.” Sourdough bread has the history of being one of the most ancient forms of bread, and from its origins it seems to be the standard method of breadmaking for most of human history. Let’s celebrate it with baking your own loaf! The Manhattan Public Library has you covered with these bread baking books available for check out.
All shelf locations and book descriptions quoted in this list can be found in the Manhattan Public Library catalog located at https://catalog.manhattan.lib.ks.us/polaris/default.aspx.
by Ohara, Bonnie, author.
“Flour, yeast, water, and salt, even with the simplest of ingredients, making homemade bread can be a daunting task if you’ve never done it before. From total scratch to your first batch, ‘Bread Baking for Beginners’ offers simple, user-friendly tutorials and recipes to mix, knead, and enjoy freshly baked loaves at home. Bonnie Ohara, a self-taught baker who runs a micro-bakery out of her own kitchen, preps home cooks with clear explanations of the bread making process and basic techniques.”
by Raffa, Emilie, author, photographer.
“Many bakers speak of their sourdough starter as if it has a magical life of its own, so it can be intimidating to those new to the sourdough world; fortunately, with ‘Artisan Sourdough Made Simple,’ Emilie Raffa removes the fear and proves that baking with sourdough is easy, and can fit into anyone’s schedule! Any new baker is inevitably hit with question after question. Emilie has the answers. As a professionally trained chef and avid home baker, she uses her experience to guide readers through the science and art of sourdough.”
“Baking Bread with Kids: Trusty Recipes for Magical Homemade Bread”
by Latham, Jennifer (Baker), author.
“Making truly excellent bread can be so simple and fun, and any kid can learn the art and science of mixing, folding, proofing, and baking. Each recipe is organized into clear and easy-to-follow instructions and accompanied by beautiful illustrations depicting each step, perfect for school-age readers or younger kids accompanied by an adult in the kitchen. ‘Baking Bread with Kids’ is the definitive bread book for learning to make delicious loaves and treats that everyone will enjoy.”
“Living Bread: Tradition and Innovation in Artisan Bread Making”
by Leader, Daniel, author.
“In this groundbreaking book, [Leader] offers a comprehensive picture of bread baking today for the enthusiastic home baker. With inspiration from a community of millers, farmers, bakers, and scientists, ‘Living Bread’ provides a fascinating look into the way artisan bread baking has evolved and continues to change.”
“Big Book of Bread: 125+ Recipes for Every Baker”
by Battilana, Jessica, author.
“A bread book with 125 recipes that meet you where you are, whether novice or bread-head.” — From Amazon.com.
“Bread on the Table: Recipes for Making and Enjoying Europe’s Most Beloved Breads”
by Norman, David, author.
“Culinary instructor and baker David Norman explores the European breadmaking traditions that inspire him most–from the rye breads of France to the saltless ciabattas of Italy to the traditional Christmas loaves of Scandinavia. Norman also offers recipes for traditional foods to accompany these regional specialties, so home bakers can showcase their freshly made breads.”
“Everyday Bread: 100 Recipes for Baking Bread on Your Schedule”
by America’s Test Kitchens.
“The cooks at America’s Test Kitchens help home cooks simplify the process of making bread through seven core dough recipes to use and remix, three-ingredient quick breads to put on the table in an hour, and reinvented Rustic No-Knead Bread.”
“Classic Sourdoughs: A Home Baker’s Handbook”
by Wood, Ed, author.
“This authoritative sourdough baking classic is updated with new recipes and the authors’ recent discovery of a technique that allows the baker to control sourness while ensuring consistently leavened loaves. Wood builds on this technique with 100 recipes featuring rustic grains and modern flavors, including Herb Spelt Bread, No-Knead Kamut Bread, and Malt Beer Bread, along with recipes for pancakes, bagels, English muffins, breadsticks, and more.”
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It’s April! Along with warmer temperatures and summer growing closer comes Little Apple Pride. This year Pride will take place starting at 11:30 am Saturday, April 12, 2025 in City Park. The public library will be there as well. Be sure to look for our table. We will have stickers, buttons, and smiling faces galore.
The grass is beginning to turn green, the temperature is getting warmer, and the birds are singing. Spring has sprung. As we creep into April, the ground starts to unfreeze and becomes the perfect place to plant your favorite fruits, vegetables, and flowers. With the arrival of spring comes the perfect time to start planting a garden. Are you new to gardening and unsure of where to start, or are you a seasoned gardener looking to learn more for this year’s garden? With 
It’s cold. Like the arctic cold. Bone-deep cold, as my grandfather used to say.
It’s almost 2025; when you read this, it will be. The new year is an encouragement to make change, pick up new habits, new hobbies, be a better version of yourself, and for some to grow through and over trauma. For others, the new year is a reason to celebrate with friends, partake in excess, and perhaps enjoy a kiss at midnight. This librarian sees it as a chance to learn from what has happened and move on. To start planning the January birthday parties and the summer vacation travels, to make realistic goals and snuggle my kiddos a little closer. To be a better version of myself, not a new version, and to fill my to-be -read list (TBR) with new books!
The cold weather has me wanting to curl up with a hot beverage and read a book, or ten. While I normally will do this without needing any reward, we at Manhattan Public Library do want to reward you for your winter reading! If you haven’t already, head on over to our reading challenges webpage at