New York City’s Three Public Library Systems Share the Top Checkouts of 2022

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave, The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, and The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley are three of the most popular books in NYC

Brooklyn Public Library, The New York Public Library, and Queens Public Library each unveil the top checkouts for adults, teens, and children.

 

DECEMBER 19, 2022—New York City’s three library systems—the Brooklyn Public Library, The New York Public Library, and Queens Public Library—have unveiled the most popular books of the year, sharing the top checkouts of 2022 at each system for adults, teens, and children. The annual lists include the top titles in all formats: e-books, audiobooks, and physical books. 

The top checkout for the Brooklyn Public Library was the novel The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave, a mystery about a woman searching for the truth about her husband’s disappearance. The most borrowed book at The New York Public Library was The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, a novel about a woman looking for her best possible life through enchanted books. The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley, a tension-filled mystery told from different points of view, was the favorite of patrons at Queens Public Library.

Several of the books on the libraries’ lists were featured titles on WNYC’s “Get Lit!” virtual book club, a partnership with The New York Public Library, which was started at the height of the pandemic and has led to approximately 150,000 checkouts over the past two years. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett, the top checkout at both Brooklyn and NYPL last year, remained on Brooklyn’s list. At NYPL, two “Get Lit” titles were featured: This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub made an appearance on the system-wide list, while The Candy House by Jennifer Egan was a top checkout in Manhattan.

Taylor Jenkins Reid’s historical fiction novel The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo appeared on all three lists and popular selections also included Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab, and People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry.

The full lists of 2022 top checkouts can be found at www.nypl.org/topcheckouts2022; http://bklynlib.org/topcheckouts2022; or queenslibrary.org. 

To see the top checkouts at each QPL location, go here. 

 

Adult titles are below:

Brooklyn Public Library

1. ​The Last Thing He Told Me: A Novel by Laura Dave
2. The Midnight Library: A Novel by Matt Haig
3. Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney
4. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
5. People We Meet on Vacation: A Novel by Emily Henry
6. Malibu Rising: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid
7. Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty
8. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid
9. The Vanishing Half: A Novel by Brit Bennett
10. Klara and the Sun: A Novel by Kazuo Ishiguro

 

The New York Public Library (which includes the Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island)

Systemwide:

1. The Midnight Library: A Novel by Matt Haig
2. Lessons in Chemistry: A Novel by Bonnie Garmus
3. The Lincoln Highway: A Novel by Amor Towles
4. Malibu Rising: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid
5. People We Meet on Vacation: A Novel by Emily Henry
6. This Time Tomorrow: A Novel by Emma Straub
7. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid
8. Book Lovers by Emily Henry
9. Verity by Colleen Hoover
10. It Ends with Us: A Novel by Colleen Hoover

Bronx:

1. The Last Thing He Told Me: A Novel by Laura Dave
2. The Midnight Library: A Novel by Matt Haig
3. It Ends With Us: A Novel by Colleen Hoover
4. Crying in H Mart: A Memoir by Michelle Zauner
5. Dream Town by David Baldacci
6. Wish You Were Here: A Novel by Jodi Picoult
7. Cloud Cuckoo Land: A Novel by Anthony Doerr
8. The Lincoln Highway: A Novel by Amor Towles 
9. Run, Rose, Run: A Novel by Dolly Parton and James Patterson
10. The Match: A Novel by Harlan Coben

Manhattan:

1. Crying in H Mart: A Memoir by Michelle Zauner
2. Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney
3. Cloud Cuckoo Land: A Novel by Anthony Doerr
4. The Lincoln Highway: A Novel by Amor Towles
5. Malibu Rising: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid
6. The Midnight Library: A Novel by Matt Haig
7. The Last Thing He Told Me: A Novel by Laura Dave
8. Harlem Shuffle: A Novel by Colson Whitehead
9. The Candy House: A Novel by Jennifer Egan
10. People We Meet on Vacation: A Novel by Emily Henry

Staten Island

1. The Last Thing He Told Me: A Novel by Laura Dave
2. Run, Rose, Run: A Novel by Dolly Parton and James Patterson
3. It Ends With Us: A Novel by Colleen Hoover
4. What Happened to the Bennetts: A Novel by Lisa Scottoline
5. Dream Town by David Baldacci
6. Invisible: A Novel by Danielle Steel
7. High Stakes: A Novel by Danielle Steel
8. People We Meet on Vacation: A Novel by Emily Henry
9. Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty
10. The Four Winds: A Novel by Kristin Hannah

 

Queens Public Library 

1. The Paris Apartment: A Novel by Lucy Foley
2. It Ends With Us: A Novel by Colleen Hoover
3. The Judge’s List: A Novel by John Grisham
4. Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty
5. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid
6.  The Last Thing He Told Me: A Novel by Laura Dave
7. Verity by Colleen Hoover
8. Wish You Were Here: A Novel by Jodi Picoult
9. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
10. What Happened to the Bennetts: A Novel by Lisa Scottoline

 

“New Yorkers have character and it’s no surprise that this year’s top checkouts show they love good books with great characters,” said Brian Bannon, The New York Public Library’s Merryl and James Tisch Director of Branch Libraries and Education. “The titles checked out at The New York Public Library this year are wonderful stories that invite readers to take a break from the hustle of everyday life and visit new places (and time periods) with interesting people doing fascinating things. We’re delighted to share these books with our patrons and welcome all New Yorkers to use their library card and choose their next adventure.”

“In a year where we saw unparalleled attempts to restrict and challenge access to books, New York City’s libraries continue to stand behind and protect the freedom to read,” said Amy Mikel, BPL’s Director of Customer Experience. “It’s wonderful to see New York’s readers reaching for books that spark imagination and illuminate the lived experiences of others, and bring us all together."

“This year’s list of top 10 checkouts reflects the eclecticism of our readers' interests,” said Nick Buron, QPL’s Chief Librarian. “For the first time in years, nonfiction didn't make the cut. The mix of mystery, thrillers, romance, fantasy, and historical fiction suggests a need to take a break from a challenging time. We also are excited to see Colleen Hoover make her QPL debut with two blockbuster, self-published novels.”

The top checkouts for children’s books at the three library systems predominantly featured titles from popular series, such as Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney and Dog Man by Dav Pilkey. For young adults, Malinda Lo’s teen novel Last Night at the Telegraph Club appeared on all three teen lists. The book was a featured title of the libraries’ Banned Book Challenge in May, which encouraged New Yorkers to read 10 banned books. 

 

The top 10 books for children and teens are listed below. 

TOP 10 LISTS FOR CHILDREN

Brooklyn Public Library Top 10 Checkouts for Children

1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
2. Diary of A Wimpy Kid: Big Shot by Jeff Kinney
3. Guts by Raina Telgemeier
4. Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi
5. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
6. Wrecking Ball (Diary of A Wimpy Kid, Book 14) by Jeff Kinney
7. Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
8. Dog Man Fetch-22 by Dav Pilkey
9. Minecraft by Sfé R. Monster, art by Sarah Graley
10. Sisters by Raina Telgemeier

 

The New York Public Library Top 10 Checkouts for Children

1. Big Shot (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 16) by Jeff Kinney
2. Wrecking Ball (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 14) by Jeff Kinney
3. The Ugly Truth (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 5) by Jeff Kinney
4. Dog Days (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 4) by Jeff Kinney
5. The Deep End (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 15) by Jeff Kinney
6. Cabin Fever (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 6) by Jeff Kinney
7. The Getaway (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 12) by Jeff Kinney
8. The Last Straw (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 3) by Jeff Kinney
9. The Meltdown (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 13) by Jeff Kinney
10.  Rodrick Rules (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 2) by Jeff Kinney

 

Queens Public Library Top 10 Checkouts for Children

1. Dog Man: Mothering Heights by Dav Pilkey
2. Dog Man: Grime and Punishment by Dav Pilkey
3. Big Shot (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 16) by Jeff Kinney
4. Dog Man: Fetch-22 by Dav Pilkey
5. Cat Kid Comic Club by Dav Pilkey
6. Dog Man: For Whom the Ball Rolls by Dav Pilkey 
7. The Deep End (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 15) by Jeff Kinney
8. Wrecking Ball (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 14) by Jeff Kinney
9. Dog Man Unleashed by Dav Pilkey
10. The Meltdown (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 13) by Jeff Kinney

 

TOP 10 LISTS FOR YOUNG ADULTS

Brooklyn Public Library Top 10 Checkouts for Young Adults

1. Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
2. Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto
3. Bleach by Tite Kubo
4. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
5. One Piece by Eiichiro Oda
6. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
7. One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
8. Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley
9. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
10. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

 

New York Public Library Top 10 Checkouts for Young Adults

1. ​The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
2. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
3. One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
4. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
5. It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han
6. Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
7. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
8. A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas
9. The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
10. We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

 

Queens Public Library Top 10 Checkouts for Young Adults

1. Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
2. One Piece by Eiichiro Oda
3. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
4. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
5. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
6. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
7. They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
8. Bleach by Tite Kubo 
9. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
10. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

 

About Brooklyn Public Library

Brooklyn Public Library is one of the nation’s largest library systems and among New York City’s most democratic institutions. As a leader in developing modern 21st century libraries, we provide resources to support personal advancement, foster civic literacy, and strengthen the fabric of community among the more than 2.6 million individuals who call Brooklyn home. We provide nearly 65,000 free programs a year with writers, thinkers, artists, and educators—from around the corner and around the world. And we give patrons millions of opportunities to enjoy one of life’s greatest satisfactions: the joy of a good book.

About The New York Public Library

For over 125 years, The New York Public Library has been a free provider of education and information for the people of New York and beyond. With over 90 locations—including research and branch libraries—throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, the Library offers free materials, computer access, classes, exhibitions, programming and more to everyone from toddlers to scholars, and has seen record numbers of attendance and circulation in recent years. The New York Public Library receives approximately 16 million visits through its doors annually and millions more around the globe who use its resources at www.nypl.org. To offer this wide array of free programming, The New York Public Library relies on both public and private funding. Learn more about how to support the Library at nypl.org/support.

About Queens Public Library

Queens Public Library is one of the largest and busiest public library systems in the United States, dedicated to serving the most ethnically and culturally diverse area in the country. An independent, non-profit organization founded in 1896, Queens Public Library offers free access to a collection of more than 5 million books and other materials in multiple languages, technology and digital resources, and more than 80,000 educational, cultural, and civic programs annually. QPL consists of 66 locations across the borough, including branch libraries, a Central Library, seven adult learning centers, a technology center, one universal pre-kindergarten, and two teen centers that attracted more than 11 million visitors in 2019.

 

MEDIA CONTACTS: 

Amy Geduldig, New York Public Library, amygeduldig@nypl.org

Fritzi Bodenheimer, Brooklyn Public Library, fbodenheimer@bklynlibrary.org

Elisabeth de Bourbon, Queens Public Library, edebourbon@queenslibrary.org