New York City’s three major public library systems—the New York Public Library (NYPL), Brooklyn Public Library (BPL), and Queens Public Library (QPL)—recently unveiled their lists of the most borrowed books of 2024. These libraries, collectively serving millions of readers across the city, offer an invaluable glimpse into the literary tastes of one of the world’s most diverse urban populations.
The Scope of NYC Libraries
To appreciate the significance of these lists, it helps to understand the sheer scale of these institutions. The NYPL boasts over 90 branches across Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island, welcoming 16 million visitors annually. BPL, one of the largest library systems in the country, serves a community of 2.6 million people. Meanwhile, QPL not only offers more than 5 million books but also hosts around 80,000 educational, cultural, and civic programs each year. Together, these libraries serve as hubs of knowledge and community for the city’s 8.5 million residents.
Most Popular Adult Titles
The top 10 adult books checked out citywide reveal a blend of contemporary favorites, literary accolades, and emerging classics. Gabrielle Zevin’s Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow topped the charts across all three library systems, a testament to its broad appeal. This was closely followed by Emily Henry’s romance Happy Place and Rebecca Yarros’s fantasy sensation Fourth Wing.
The list also highlights the enduring popularity of prize-winning works, such as James McBride’s The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store and Barbara Kingsolver’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Demon Copperhead. Notably, R.F. Kuang’s Yellowface, a sharp critique of the publishing industry, secured its place among the year’s most borrowed books.
YA Favorites: TikTok’s Influence Looms Large
While the adult lists display a healthy diversity, young adult (YA) titles largely reflect trends driven by platforms like TikTok. Sarah J. Maas dominates the genre, with multiple entries from her A Court of Thorns and Roses series and Throne of Glass series appearing across all three library systems. Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games series, particularly The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, also remained popular, likely bolstered by the buzz around the upcoming film adaptation.
Jenny Han’s The Summer I Turned Pretty, another TikTok darling, continues to attract readers, as does John Green’s Turtles All the Way Down and Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen. These YA preferences point to the ongoing influence of social media in shaping reading habits among younger audiences.
Children’s Books: Familiar Favorites
Children’s literature lists showcase a mix of enduring classics and contemporary hits. Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kidseries remains a staple, occupying several spots on the charts. Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man series and Rick Riordan’s The Lightning Thief also continue to resonate with young readers.
It’s heartening to see classic titles like Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time maintaining their appeal, providing a link between generations of readers. Meanwhile, Raina Telgemeier’s graphic novels and Pilkey’s engaging storytelling highlight the growing demand for visually engaging narratives.
Trends and Insights
One notable trend in the adult and YA categories is the dominance of female authors, especially in QPL’s lists, where all the top authors are women. This underscores a broader cultural shift in which women writers are increasingly shaping mainstream literary landscapes across genres.
Another observation is the longevity of titles from previous years. Many books on the 2024 lists, including Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus and Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt, were published in 2023 or earlier. This suggests that readers are taking advantage of library collections to catch up on buzzworthy books without purchasing them immediately upon release.
A Reflection of NYC’s Diversity
One of the most striking features of NYC’s library checkouts is their reflection of the city’s cultural and demographic diversity. Approximately 40% of the most borrowed adult books were authored by non-white writers, signaling a growing appetite for stories that reflect a range of perspectives. Titles like Kuang’s Yellowface and Abraham Verghese’s The Covenant of Water enrich the literary landscape by tackling complex themes rooted in cultural identity and history.
In contrast, the YA lists appear less diverse, dominated by blockbuster series and familiar franchises. This discrepancy raises questions about how libraries and publishers can better promote diverse voices within the genre to younger audiences.
