The public libraries in New York City and Seattle released lists of their most-borrowed books of the year.
For the first time, the three public library systems in New York (Brooklyn, Queens, and New York, which represents Manhattan, Staten Island, and the Bronx) have consolidated their numbers to announce a true citywide list.
Topping that list is Gabrielle Zevin’s Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, followed by Emily Henry’s Happy Place, Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing, James McBride’s Kirkus Prize–winning The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, and Barbara Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead.
McBride’s novel was the most-borrowed book in Manhattan and the Bronx, while Zevin was the top pick in Brooklyn. Queens readers opted for Fourth Wing, while Staten Island borrowers couldn’t get enough of Kristin Hannah’s The Women.
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store was the most popular adult fiction physical book in Seattle, the Seattle Times reports, followed by Percival Everett’s Kirkus Prize–winning James, Hisashi Kashiwai’s The Kamogawa Food Detectives, Tommy Orange’s Wandering Stars, and Alice McDermott’s Absolution.
Seattle e-book fiction readers sent Yarros’ Fourth Wing to the top of that chart, followed by Ann Patchett’s Tom Lake, Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead, Hannah’s The Women, and McBride’s The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store.
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
