Reading through 2022 and beyond

Do you ever wonder what your neighbors are reading? The library aims to create a diverse collection of materials across formats for all readers’ interests, yet, typically, there are particular books and items that have a greater universal appeal to a majority of people. As the year comes to a close, the library has compiled lists of the most checked out items in 2022, including books (electronic and print), as well as the Library of Things collection (which includes Chromebooks, hotspots, nature backpacks and more. Here are the top items in each book list:

2022 Top Checked Out Fiction Books for Adults
Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr: This 600-page book has captivated readers with a tale that spans the ages. Taking place in Constantinople in 1453, a public library in Idaho, today, and on a spaceship bound for the future, the protagonists, children are trying to navigate and survive in a troublesome world. What unites all of the characters is an ancient book that provides solace and human connection. It’s the hunger of stories that universally resonates through Doerr’s pages.

2022 Top Checked Out Nonfiction Adult Books
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner: This memoir of grief and love had a huge number of holds during the year. Zauner, indie rockstar of the band Japanese Breakfast, writes exquisitely about losing touch with her Korean identity as she left home, embarking on a career with her band, and moving to the east coast, far away from her family in Oregon. But, when her mother is given a terminal diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, Michelle, at the age of  twenty-five, is forced to reconcile her identity and works to reclaim the gifts of taste, language, and history her mother had given her.

2022 Top Checked Out Teen Books
Fairy Tail by Hiro Mashima: This is one volume in one of the best selling manga series. The Oracion Seis have kidnapped Wendy. Lead by Brain, they wish to find a destructive healing power known as Nirvana. At the same time, Erza is poisoned by Cobra’s venom. The rest of the team then rush out to search for Oracion Seis to save Wendy. But the forest is infested with illegal guild members under the Oracion’s orders.

2022 Top Checked Out Children’s Books
Nancy Drew Mystery Stories by Carolyn Keene: A surprising pick, but the classic teenage sleuth Nancy Drew appears to be a timeless children’s book selection as evidenced by this series being on the top of the list.

With January fast approaching, here are some books to look out for:  Bestselling thriller author Mary Kubica spins a tale of suspense with “Just the Nicest Couple,” as a wife desperately tries to find out what happened after her husband goes missing. “Hell Bent” by Leigh Bardugo, is a tale of murder and dark magic at Yale, has already received starred reviews from reviewers. The crime thrilling family saga set in New Delhi, “Age of Vice” by Deepti Kapoor is getting lots of praise from reviewers and fellow writers for its Mario Puzo-esque story. And, look for the memoir from Prince Harry, “Spare,” a book whose title has already evoked quite a response. Want to know what else will be hitting the shelves? Kirkus has a list of the 40 Most Anticipated Books of 2023. And, Goodreads readers have their own anticipated list. We’re looking forward to seeing what you’ll be reading.

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