New York City’s Three Public Library Systems Unveil The Most Borrowed Books of 2021
ASSETS:
DECEMBER 2021 — Of the millions of print and digital books that New Yorkers borrowed from the city’s libraries in 2021, The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett, A Promised Land by Barack Obama, and The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah are among the most popular. Brooklyn Public Library, The New York Public Library, and Queens Public Library have unveiled the most popular books of the year, sharing the top 10 checkouts of 2021 in each system for adults, teens, and children.
The top checkout for both Brooklyn Public Library – which marked its one billionth loan this year – and The New York Public Library systems was the powerful novel The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett, which focuses on two twin sisters and issues of racial identity and bigotry in the segregated south. The most borrowed book in Queens Public Library system was The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah, a piece of historical fiction set during the Great Depression. Popular selections that appear on all three lists also include A Promised Land by Barack Obama, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson and The Guest List: A Novel by Lucy Foley.
Several of the most popular books — including The Vanishing Half — were featured as part of the WNYC “Get Lit!” virtual bookclub, a partnership with The New York Public Library started at the height of the pandemic that has led to thousands of checkouts.
The top titles include all formats: e-books, audio books, and physical books. While print circulation was impacted by the pandemic—near full service was only restored to the branches in July of 2021 following temporary closures and limited service — the systems saw increases late in the year, especially following the October announcement of the elimination of late fines. The New York Public Library system, for example, saw a 10 percent increase in circulation in the weeks following that announcement.
“It’s interesting that so many of the top titles were featured as part of book clubs — the WNYC book club and others — showing that New Yorkers are certainly craving a sense of togetherness through reading following a period of unprecedented isolation,” said Lynn Lobash, NYPL’s Assistant Director of Readers Services. “Other popular books received praise and accolades over the past year and readers want to join the conversation. But, at their very core, the top checkouts were a universal joy to read, demonstrating that while New York's bibliophiles are a diverse group, they share a deep love and appreciation of reading.”
“As we close yet another unprecedented and difficult year, NYC Libraries share a deep pride that as always, readers turn to us for unparalleled access to books, knowledge, and entertainment to feed their souls and brighten their spirits,” said Amy Mikel, BPL’s Director of Customer Experience. “These top titles show that our communities crave the kinds of stories that uplift and connect us. NYC Libraries will always be here for our readers.”
More Articles
- Baseball's Peerless Semipros: The Brooklyn Bushwicks of Dexter Park, Journal of Sport History and My Experience at That Park
- Gulliver’s Gate: New York’s Magical Miniature World Where You Could Spend Weeks Here and Still Uncover New Things
- Jo Freeman's Adventures in Hillaryland
- Return of House Flipping Eases Affordable Housing Crunch in Some States