We're thrilled to be at the Columbus Book Festival July 11-12! Need festival info?

Click here

Here for cookie stories? Scroll down :)

Here are the cookie stories for the Columbus Book Festival 2026 Collection!

Free Your Mind by Christopher Sunami: Matcha Honey Shortbread (Gluten-Sensitive) Full disclosure: I knew we would make a cookie for Chris's book before Chris wrote the book. In addition to being a brilliant philosopher, Chris happens to be a dear friend of the Baker's Man (aka my husband). So, when Chris decided to put pen to paper again, I made a mental note and waited for the book to be born. It was a joy to get to hear about his labor, and a gift that both my husband and I have gotten to partner with Chris in this work (my husband wrote the book's introduction). The flavor profile was born from Chris's mind (matcha fitting for his Japanese heritage, honey a connection to the Egyptian world). I pulled in rice flour so that Chris could enjoy the cookie (he and gluten are misaligned). I also took the opportunity to lean into another friendship for crafting by using local honey from Red Beard Bees (our six year old is their unofficial mascot). A wise man once said it's only nepotism if they're unqualified. I think you'll find the book and the cookie more than worthy.

Joy in the Belly of a Riot by Barbara Fant: Cali Chili Thumbprint w/ Strawberry Lemon Marmalade Like Chris, my relationship with Barb precedes the creation of this cookie. In fact, it precedes the creation of this cookie business. I've known Barb since I was a University Chaplain and she was a brilliant college student who flattered me by allowing me to think I might be mentoring her. Since that time, I have gotten to watch her soar by being her full self in every place lucky enough to have her. Central Ohio briefly lost her to sunny California, but has recently convinced her to share her gift of leadership with Thurber House. The cookie in her book of poetry's honor is a vanilla flavored thumbprint with just enough serrano, dried Anaheim, and cayenne to have a modesty kick. It's belly is filled with strawberry coulis and a lemon marmalade made by Trappist monks, a nod to her own journey through seminary.

The Subtle Art of Folding Space by John Chu: Bubble Tea Cookie Though our library friends lifted John's book to us as one filled with delicious Taiwanese food elements, I have to confess that we went with my favorite Taiwanese contribution to modern life - Bubble Tea. I've been an acolyte since the early '00s. I am also a sucker for a challenge. And boy, was getting a cookie to masquerade as bubble tea a challenge! We began with the dough we've perfect for chocolate chip cookies, since it is both supremely milky and uses a generous amount of brown sugar. Since tapioca pearls (aka boba) do not like to be heated, we subbed in Taiwanese made mini mochi bits for the chew. To that we added a deep dark swirl made with toasted black sesame and some ground black tea. And, by golly, we think the combination makes for as fun a journey as the book.

Such Great Heights by Chris DeVille: Cookie Stick with Rainbow Drops As a particular kind of geriatric millennial, I happen to have been obsessed with both the bands who made the song "Such Great Heights" famous. As a neurospicy person, I also happen to remember when the Iron & Wine version was used in a commercial for a certain candy coated milk chocolate treat. Chris's book is about that era of music. It felt right to honor a book about the era with a lo-fi version of the treat that made the song famous. So we whipped up a BIG batch of our brown sugar shortbread, rolled it, scored it, and dotted it with naturally colored milk chocolate rainbow drops. On the long and tall cookie, they have the effect of candies falling from...well, you get the point :)

Truffle Trouble by Amanda Flower: Truffle Hazelnut Treats (Gluten-Sensitive) Part love story, part murder mystery, I opted to celebrate this rural Ohio based fun read with a treat that felt part folksy part sophisticated. Our version of crispy rice treats is already indulgent. To that we added chopped rainforest alliance certified chocolate with hazelnuts. We kicked things up another notch by replacing the vanilla extract with Frangelico. This is a treat that kids in the know will like and grownups cozied up with a book and a blanket will love.

 

Looking for more information on the incredible selection of tea blends on this weekend's table? Visit Swan Dance Apothecary & Tea