Every year the race to name the best books of the year heats up. (To truly set your mind spinning, check out this comprehensive list.) Now that the dust has cleared, we present the top 10 circulated print books from the library in 2015. After seeing so many of the same titles on multiple lists, there is at least one surprising title. “Attack on Titan”, anyone?
“The Girl on the Train” by Paula Hawkins
This requires no explanation. All you need to know is, “For fans of Gone Girl…”
“The Book of Unknown Americans” by Cristina Henriquez
Henriquez graced the cover of the spring issue of the library’s magazine, Connections, and was a featured speaker for the Currents: Conversations that Matter series.
“All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr
This one is still in heavy demand. Readers just can’t get enough of the gorgeous prose and riveting story. (I’m one of them, having professed love for it in Kirkus last January.)
“Go Set a Watchman” by Harper Lee
Curiosity killed the…? Readers are divided. Ursula LeGuin had a very interesting take on it in this blog piece. “To Kill a Mockingbird” was the 39th most checked out book.
“The Goldfinch” by Donna Tartt
It had been a decade since readers heard a peep from Tartt. What’s all the fuss? Readers are resilient, checking out this one until they finished it. And, the verdict? What did you think?
“Attack on Titan” by Hajime Isayama
I admit it. I had to google this one. It’s anime! Who knew? Apparently, a lot of people in Princeton (and college students in Ramapo are obsessed with it, according to this article).
“A Spool of Blue Thread” by Anne Tyler
Anne Tyler, we love you. Her latest chronicles four generations of a family (wait, that sounds a little like Anne Enright’s The Green Road…no, no, different book, although Anne E. was right here in our community room last May and was a fabulously engaging speaker).
“The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” by Marie Kondo
Who couldn’t use some “life-changing magic”? Judging by the number of times this book went out, you feel the same. Tell us, has it been magical?
“Being Mortal” by Atul Gawande
I’ll let you in on a secret: there are some REALLY big Atul Gawande fans in the adult services department. And, well, since we are all going to meet the same end, shouldn’t we all aspire to live a life with meaning for as long as possible?
“Gray Mountain” by John Grisham
It’s John Grisham. He has a lot of fans. And, a lot of books. And, a big fan base.
This year, look for books from Don DeLillo, Jann Martel, Annie Proulx, Julian Barnes, Louise Erdrich, Mark Kurlansky, Sebastian Junger, Mary Roach, and more. We’re looking forward to what you decide will make next year’s list.