It's cold, so I'm looking for a good book to read to myself and my children while staying warm indoors. Get pages from Sawyer Free Library Cardholders to see what they viewed most last year.
“The titles checked out at the Sawyer Free Library last year reflect stories that resonate with people of all ages, and for many of us: family and friends, love and grief, success, perseverance and hope. It resonates with important themes,” the library said. Directed by Jenny Benedict. “The titles at the top of the list were those that support readers in learning more about themselves and the world around them, enriching lives, and inspiring learning, which is central to the library's mission.”
Total circulation in 2023 reached nearly 170,000 copies, with new and familiar favorites topping the list, including Geraldine Brooks, Jodi Picoult, and Barbara Kingsolver.
For a community steeped in history despite the American Revolution, readers gravitated to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex's The Spare, which topped the list of most borrowed books in the adult nonfiction category. Geraldine Brooks' Horse topped the adult fiction list. In fact, the list of adult novels was all written by women.
Bonnie Garmuth's debut novel, Chemistry Lessons, was one of my favorites, along with Pulitzer Prize-winning science journalist Ed Yong's New York Times bestseller, Infinite Worlds. Yong's book is described as a multisensory exploration of the different ways animals perceive their environment.
Of the thousands of print books, digital books, and audiobooks borrowed from the Sawyer Free Library, here are cardholders' favorites for 2023:
Popular adult fiction
1. “Horse” by Geraldine Brooks
2. “Mad Honey” by Jodi Picoult
3. “Chemistry Lessons” by Bonnie Garmuth
4. “His Memories” by Colleen Huber
5. “Demon Copperhead” by Barbara Kingsolver
6. Hello Beautiful Ann Napolitano
7. “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow” Gabriel Zevin
8. “Our Missing Hearts” Celeste Ng
9. “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt
10. “Verity” by Colleen Huber
Popular adult nonfiction
1. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex's 'Spare'
2. “An Immense World” by Ed Yong
3. “Downshift Science: Healthy Food Preparation” by Lisa Bryan.
4. The Healthy, Happy Gut Cookbook by Dr. Heather Finley
5. “Unbridled Poetry: 50 Poems that Will Open Up the World” by Padraig O Tuama
6. “Dinner with Ruth” by Nina Totenberg
At the top of the children's book checkout, titles from popular series include “Dog Man'' by Dave Pilkey, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid'' by Jeff Kinney, and “The Baby-Sitters Club'' by Ann M. Martin. there was.
The highest-circulating young adult title was “The Tryout,” a graphic novel about courage and friendship by Christina Soontrumbatt. Throne of Glass ranks alongside F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel The Great Gatsby and journalist David Grann's powerful non-fiction book Killers of the Flower Moon by Sarah J. -This is the first work in Mars' popular fantasy novel series. .
top teen fiction
1. “The Tryout” by Christina Soontrumbatt
2. “Throne of Glass” by Sarah J. Maas
3. “The Great Gatsby” by Scott F. Fitzgerald
4. “Killers of the Flower Moon” by David Grann
5. “The Maze Runner” by James Dashner
top kids
1. “Dogman and Catkid” by Dave Pilkey
2. “Dog Man: Brawl of the Wild” by Dave Pilkey
3. “Dog Man: Fetch-22” by Dav Pilkey
4. “The Baby-Sitters Club: Karen’s Worst Day” by Katie Farina
5. “The Baby-Sitters Club: Christy and the Snobs” by Chan Chau
6. “Diary of the Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley's Journal” by Jeff Kinney
Find these books and millions more at the Sawyer Free Library. Visit the library's temporary location at 21 Main Street in downtown Gloucester or visit its website at sawyerfreelibrary.org. Librarians are always on hand to help you find new books. This library has been serving the community for over 175 years.
Approximately 14,000 people have Sawyer Free Library Cards. Anyone living or attending school in Gloucester can obtain a free library card by applying in person, online, or by mail. For more information, please visit our website or call 978-325-5500.
Each year, the Sawyer Free Library hosts hundreds of programs. All programs and exhibits are free and open to the public.
For more information about the 2025 Sawyer Free Library and how you can support historical projects, visit sawyerfree2025.org.
