Arlington Public Library’s top books of the year are in, rounding up literary hits for readers of all ages.
Local librarians compiled a list of Arlingtonians’ favorite books among kids, teens and adults, while wrapping up a year in which the library system added more than 57,000 print items and 30,000 electronic items.
The list spans a range of genres — mostly novels, but also featuring a little nonfiction and an autobiography, plus books in the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series.
The year’s top three books all received over 4,000 checkouts. The library’s eCirculation, meanwhile, grew by more than 40% and the total collection grew by 15%.
“As we celebrate our collective reading in 2024, we are grateful to be of service to the Arlington community and library patrons with exciting book services, author programs, storytimes and ever-expanding diverse collections,” said Rebecca Case, acting division chief for collections and access at Arlington Public Library.
Top adult books
- “The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store” by James McBride
- “Tom Lake” by Ann Patchett
- “The Women” by Kristin Hannah
- “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros
- “Demon Copperhead” by Barbara Kingsolver
- “Funny Story” by Emily Henry
- “Happy Place” by Emily Henry
- “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus
- “None of This is True” by Lisa Jewell
- “First Lie Wins” by Ashley Elston
- “The Covenant of Water” by Abraham Verghese
- “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” by Gabrielle Zevin
- “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt
- “Iron Flame” by Rebecca Yarros
- “Yellowface” by R. F. Kuang
- “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas
- “Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results” by James Clear
- “The Woman in Me” by Britney Spears
- “Killers of the Flower Moon” by David Grann
- “Hello Beautiful” by Ann Napolitano
Top young adult books
- “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” by Suzanne Collins
- “Throne of Glass” by Sarah J. Maas
- “Crown of Midnight” by Sarah J. Maas
- “Check & Mate” by Ali Hazelwood
- “Divine Rivals” by Rebecca Ross
Top kids books
- “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Big Shot” by Jeff Kinney
- “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth” by Jeff Kinney
- “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball” by Jeff Kinney
- “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel” by Jeff Kinney
- “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever” by Jeff Kinney
The library system also compiled an extensive list of lesser-known books that, in the view of local librarians, deserve more love.
It includes hundreds of titles grouped into fiction, nonfiction, graphic, teen, elementary/middle grade and picture books/early readers.
