Top Circulating Books in the Mercer County Library for 2023

As we bring another year to a close, we thought it would be fun to see what were the top circulating books taken out by you, our Mercer County Library patrons, in 2023. As you will see you all have wonderful taste!

Adult Books

Adult Fiction

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

This title has been on the New York Times Fiction Bestsellers List for 38 weeks! The book has been in our system since April of 2022 and it’s still going strong. Set in 1960s California, this blockbuster debut is the hilarious, idiosyncratic and uplifting story of a female scientist whose career is constantly derailed by the idea that a woman's place is in the home, only to find herself starring as the host of America's most beloved TV cooking show. Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it's the 1960s and, despite the fact that she is a scientist, her peers are very unscientific when it comes to equality. The only good thing to happen to her on the road to professional fulfillment is a run-in with her super-star colleague Calvin Evans (well, she stole his beakers.) The sole man who ever treated her-and her ideas-as equal, Calvin is already a legend and Nobel nominee. He's also awkward, kind and tenacious. Theirs is true chemistry. But as events are never as predictable as chemical reactions, three years later Elizabeth Zott is an unwed, single mother (did we mention it's the early 60s??) and the star of America's most beloved cooking show “Supper at Six”. Elizabeth's singular approach to cooking (“take one pint of H2O and add a pinch of sodium chloride”) and independent example are proving revolutionary. Because Elizabeth isn't just teaching women how to cook, she's teaching them how to change the status quo. Laugh-out-loud funny, shrewdly observant, and studded with a dazzling cast of supporting characters, Lessons in Chemistry is as original and vibrant as its protagonist. The book is praised for its humor and has been selected as a best book of the year by; The New York Times, Washington Post, NPR, Oprah Daily, Entertainment Weekly, and Newsweek. It has been adapted into a series that currently runs on Apple TV.

Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

This book was the most popular book purchased in 2023; probably helped to that achievement by being an Oprah Book Club selection. William Waters grew up in a house silenced by tragedy, where his parents could hardly bear to look at him, much less love him. So, it's a relief when his skill on the basketball court earns him a scholarship to college, far away from his childhood home. He soon meets Julia Padavano, a spirited and ambitious young woman who surprises William with her appreciation of his quiet steadiness. With Julia comes her family - she is inseparable from her three younger sisters: Sylvie, the dreamer, is happiest with her nose in a book and imagines a future different from the expected path of wife and mother; Cecelia, the family's artist; and Emeline, who patiently takes care of all of them. Happily, the Padavanos fold Julia's new boyfriend into their loving, chaotic household. But then darkness from William's past surfaces, jeopardizing not only Julia's carefully orchestrated plans for their future, but the sisters' unshakeable loyalty to one another. The result is a catastrophic family rift that changes their lives for generations. Will the loyalty that once rooted them be strong enough to draw them back together when it matters most? This book was also selected as a best book of the year by; The New York Times Book Review, NPR, The Washington Post, Time, Vogue, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, and the New York Post.

Adult Graphic Novels

Spy X Family 8 by Tatsuya Endo

The eighth volume of this graphic novel series written and illustrated by Tatsuya Endo was the most popular graphic novel of the year. The premise of this series is that the main character, a spy code-named “Twilight”, must create a family in an enemy country as a cover for his spying activity. Unknown to him is that the young girl he adopts to play the role of his daughter has the ability to read minds, and the woman he marries to play the role of his wife is a professional assassin. The “husband” and “wife” do not know the others’ true profession, but their mind-reading daughter knows all. In order for Twilight to be a successful spy, he needs to uphold the image of a “perfect family” - leading to him growing as a person by trying to be a good husband and father. Needless to say, adventures ensue as Twilight (or as he is now known, Loid Forger) balances spying and being part of a family. Four volumes in this series were in the top 10 popular Graphic Novel titles of 2023.

Adult Nonfiction

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear

This book was published back in 2018, but has been on the New York Times Advice, How-To & Miscellaneous Bestsellers list for 213 weeks! And it has maintained a steady popularity here at the Mercer County Library, shown by being our most circulated nonfiction title for 2023. James Clear, an expert on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results. He draws on proven ideas from biology, psychology, and neuroscience to create an easy-to-understand guide for making good habits inevitable and bad habits impossible.

The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann

This book was our most circulated book purchased in 2023 and has spent 35 weeks on the New York Times Nonfiction Bestsellers List. On January 28, 1742, a ramshackle vessel of patched-together wood and cloth washed up on the coast of Brazil. Inside were thirty emaciated men, barely alive, and they had an extraordinary tale to tell. They were survivors of His Majesty's Ship the Wager, a British vessel that had left England in 1740 on a secret mission during an imperial war with Spain. While the Wager had been chasing a treasure-filled Spanish galleon known as "the prize of all the oceans," it had wrecked on a desolate island off the coast of Patagonia. The men, after being marooned for months and facing starvation, built the flimsy craft and sailed for more than a hundred days, traversing 2500 miles of storm-wracked seas. They were greeted as heroes.

But then ... six months later, another, even more decrepit, craft landed on the coast of Chile. This boat contained just three castaways, and they had a very different story to tell. The thirty sailors who landed in Brazil were not heroes - they were mutineers. The first group responded with countercharges of their own, of a tyrannical and murderous captain and his henchmen. It became clear that while stranded on the island the crew had fallen into anarchy, with warring factions fighting for dominion over the barren wilderness. As accusations of treachery and murder flew, the Admiralty convened a court martial to determine who was telling the truth. The stakes were life-and-death as whomever the court found guilty could hang.

Mystery

I Will Find You by Harlan Coben

A perennial New York Times Best-selling author of mysteries and thrillers. Five years ago, an innocent man began a life sentence for murdering his own son. Today, he found out his son is still alive. David Burroughs was once a devoted father to his three-year-old son Matthew, living a dream life just a short drive away from the working-class suburb where he and his wife, Cheryl, first fell in love--until one fateful night when David woke suddenly to discover Matthew had been murdered while David was asleep just down the hall. Half a decade later, David's been wrongly accused and convicted of the murder, left to serve out his time in a maximum-security prison--a fate which, grieving and wracked with guilt, David didn't have the will to fight. The world has moved on without him. Then Cheryl's younger sister, Rachel, makes a surprise appearance during visiting hours bearing a strange photograph. It's a vacation shot of a bustling amusement park a friend shared with her and, in the background just barely in frame, is a boy bearing an eerie resemblance to David's son. Even though it can't be, David just knows: Matthew is still alive. David plans a harrowing escape, determined to achieve the impossible--save his son, clear his own name, and discover the real story of what happened. But with his life on the line and the FBI following his every move, can David evade capture long enough to reveal the shocking truth?

Science Fiction & Fantasy

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Yes, that old school reading assignment stand-by. I remember reading this classic back in high school and it opened up the world of Science Fiction and dystopian novels for me, a habit even today. In a society in which books are outlawed, Montag, a regimented fireman in charge of burning the forbidden volumes, meets a revolutionary school teacher who dares to read. Suddenly he finds himself a hunted fugitive, forced to choose not only between two women, but between personal safety and intellectual freedom.

This novel has been re-issued multiple times over the years, the linked picture above is for the original publishers (Simon & Schuster) 2012 faithful 60^th anniversary re-issue of the 1953 original. It has also been adapted into radio plays, theater plays, television series, two feature films (1966 & 2018), and even into a video game!

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

This title was the most popular Fantasy title purchased in 2023. It is currently the Number One title on the New York Times Fiction (not just Science Fiction) List and has been on the list for 33 weeks.

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general--also known as her tough-as-talons mother--has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders. But when you're smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away ... because dragons don't bond to 'fragile' humans. They incinerate them. With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother's daughter--like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant. She'll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise. Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom's protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.

This is the first volume of the Empyrean series. We own book 2, Iron Flame, which is currently number three on the New York Times Bestseller List.

 – Larry McNamara, Acquisitions Librarian

Children’s and Young Adult Books

You can tell a lot about a person by what books they are reading. Reading trends fascinate me, and I am always curious to learn what books and series have staying power. With kids and teens, we tend to see the same greatest hits popping up again and again. Then, every once and a while something new and unexpected takes readers by storm. Do any of the top circulating titles in the juvenile and teen categories surprise you? Let us know!

Picture Books

Toy story: Welcome to Andy’s Room and Beyond!

In the picture books category, most popular for readers 2-6 years old, Toy Story: Welcome to Andy’s Room was the top circulating title. In this 2019 publication, there are scenes from all four of the Toy Story movies, with labels identifying different objects in each room. The feel is similar to a search and find book, and is a great way for young Toy Story fans to build vocabulary. By the way, how is it possible that the toy’s beloved boy, Andy, turned 35 this year?

Thomas & friends: Meet the Engines, by Julia March

Would you believe that Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends on the fictional island of Sodor have been delighting children and their families since 1945? Talk about an enduring classic! Thomas & Friends has seen many formats and iterations, including television adaptations. Ringo Starr, George Carlin, and Alec Baldwin have all had a turn at portraying Mr. Conductor in the UK and US TV series. The bottom line on this one is that it’s as close to a sure win as they come.

Pluto! Not a planet? Not a Problem! By Stacy McAnulty

This is the seventh installment in the Our Universe series, starring Pluto, the dwarf planet. Pluto, discovered in 1930, was once hailed as the ninth planet. After further discoveries, Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006. But it doesn’t let its “demotion” get it down! Self-assured Pluto proclaims it is a “proud, playful, and popular non-planet.” The humor in this book is spot on, and the engaging informational text makes this a great pick for kids and adults to read together.

*Bonus recommendation: For middle grade readers, try The miscalculations of lightning girl, written by the same author. It’s about a 12-year-old girl who acquires savant syndrome after a lightning strike accident. She has an incredible ability with math, but is that enough to get her through middle school? This pick is filled with lots of math fun, as well as a relatable main character to root for.

Middle Grade Books

The tryout, by Christina Soontornvat

This graphic memoir follows best friends Christina and Megan through the process of trying out for the cheerleading squad at their middle school. Christina is Thai-American, and Megan is Iranian-American. Navigating life in a small-town Texas middle school is fraught with micro-aggressions in the form of racist comments. The two friends struggle to maintain their friendship while forming their unique identities. Kids ages 8-12 years old will find this story relatable and will enjoy the graphic novel format. They may wish to also check out All Thirteen; The Incredible Cave Rescue of The Thai Boys’ Soccer Team; The Last Mapmaker; and A Wish in The Dark, also by Christina Soontornvat.

5000 Awesome Facts (About Animals) by National Geographic

This visually stunning book of animal trivia has been checked out more than any other non-fiction juvenile book in 2023. The layout is varied: lists, info boxes, and shapes are chock full of factoids about our animal friends. The exquisite photography is what we have come to love from National Geographic Kids books, and the information is bite-sized enough to feel like recreational reading instead of homework. In my experience, any of the books in this series are a hit with kids. Don’t snooze on the easy reader and picture book formats that are available for younger readers, as they are just as engaging and fun.

Diper Överlöde by Jeff Kinney

Book 17 of the ever-popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid series has landed at the top of the list for the most checked out juvenile fiction book in our library system. The online reviews of this book have not been wholly positive, mostly for the fact that the book focuses on Rodrick, a character that is decidedly not the fan-favorite. Rodrick and his bandmates are determined to hit it big and win the Battle of the Bands. Greg takes the supporting role in this one, and does his best to steer the band to success, but fame comes with a high cost. If this wasn’t a your favorite DOAWK book, it seems that No Brainer, book 18 was much better received. The newest installment, still untitled, will be published in October.

Young Adult Books

One Piece; story and art by Eiichiro Oda

The most popular manga series in our library this year was none other than One piece.  This internationally acclaimed series follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his gang, the Straw Hat Pirates. They have all kinds of adventures as they traverse the Grand Line seeking elusive treasure to secure his fate as the next King of Pirates. This series boasts over 523.2 million copies in circulation as of December 2023, which makes it the best-selling manga series in history¹!

Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, by Suzanne Collins

This prequel to the Hunger Games series is top of the charts due to Suzanne Collins masterful storytelling, and timeless theme of how the powerful ones in society use their power as a weapon. It’s also possible that some of the recent interest comes from the film adaptation hitting the big screen this past November. This installment takes place 60 years before the Katniss’ era, and focuses on the backstory of President Snow. Collins and her editorial team made sure that this book would work just as well for people who loved the trilogy, as for a wholly new generation of readers. By all accounts, this book hits the mark; check it out if you haven’t already.

Girls running: all you need to strive, thrive, and run your best, by Melody Fairchild

While this book might not have been on everyone’s radar, it has tied for the top circulating YA non-fiction title this year. What sets this apart from other running manuals is that it considers not just the physical rigors of running, but also factors in issues like puberty and periods, body-image, and building a support system. Importantly, it also offers resources for girls in the sport who may be struggling with eating disorders or other forms of body-dysmorphia.

Man’s Search for Meaning (a Young Readers Edition), by Victor Frankl

This ‘young readers edition’, recommended for people ages 12 and up, is divided into two parts. The first part recounts surviving the atrocities of the Holocaust while imprisoned in several concentration camps. In this part, he shares his observations of people’s reactions to the violence and suffering and his own personal experience. This biographical portion is the exact text as the original publication of Man’s Search for Meaning. In the second part, he writes about his psychological theory called logotherapy, which focuses on finding meaning in ones’ life. This part of the book is abridged for young readers, and offers an accessible explanation of his life philosophy. This book can have a profound impact on its readers, and is one not to be missed.

 – by Caitlin Decker, Cataloging Librarian

Wikipedia contributors. (2023, December 28). One Piece. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 14:50, December 29, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=One_Piece&oldid=1192341397