These are the library books New Yorkers checked out the most in 2023

New York City’s three public library systems on Tuesday revealed their most checked-out titles of 2023. At the New York Public Library, the most borrowed book of the year was “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus. In Queens, the top checkout was “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yaros, and in Brooklyn, “I’m Glad My Mom Died” by Jennette McCurdy.

“The titles checked out at The New York Public Library this year reflect stories that
resonated with people—books that shared tales of hope, chronicle the impact of family
and friends, and the search for love and acceptance,” Brian Bannon, NYPL’s Merryl and James Tisch Director of Branch Libraries and Education, said.

“It’s not surprising to see these titles at the top of our lists as they give readers the opportunity to learn more about themselves and the world around them, which is at the very heart of the Library’s mission. So, we find it incredibly gratifying that New Yorkers are finding books that
speak to them.”

While all three systems had a different top checkout, readers in all five boroughs enjoyed “Spare” by Prince Harry, “It Ends with Us” by Colleen Hoover, “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” by Gabrielle Zevin, and “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus.

Some of the books featured on the lists were included in WNYC’s “Get Lit!” virtual book club, created in partnership with NYPL, which began at the height of the pandemic and has led to thousands of checkouts over the past three years. “Yellowface” by R. F. Kuang and “The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store” by James McBride, two books featured in the “Get Lit!” book club, are featured on NYPL’s 2023 list.

“This year’s top checkouts reflect a changing of the guard. In the past our readers
leaned towards popular romance and suspense novelists, like Danielle Steel, John
Grisham or Stephen King,” Queens Public Library Chief Librarian Nick Buron said.

“This year they were drawn to writers of color, like Gabrielle Zevin and Abraham Verghese, and authors whose popularity soared after they went viral on social media, like Rebecca Yarros, Colleen Hoover and Brianna Wiest. These choices signal a desire to explore new themes as well as changes in the way our customers discover and engage with books.”

New York Public Library (Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island):

1. “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus
2. “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” by Gabrielle Zevin
3. “Spare” by Prince Harry
4. “Book Lovers” by Emily Henry
5. “Verity” by Colleen Hoover
6. “Yellowface” by R. F. Kuang
7. “The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store” by James McBride
8. “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid
9. “It Ends with Us” by Colleen Hoover
10. “Daisy Jones & the Six” by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Brooklyn Public Library:

1. “I’m Glad My Mom Died” by Jennette McCurdy
2. “Spare” by Prince Harry
3. “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” by Gabrielle Zevin
4. “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus
5. “Book Lovers” by Emily Henry
6. “Happy Place” by Emily Henry
7. “The Paris Apartment” by Lucy Foley
8. “Pineapple Street” by Jenny Jackson
9. “It Ends with Us” by Colleen Hoover
10. “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros

Queens Public Library:

1. “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros
2. “Spare” by Prince Harry
3. “Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” by Gabrielle Zevin
4. “I’m Glad My Mom Died” by Jennette McCurdy
5. “It Starts with Us” by Colleen Hoover
6. “It Ends with Us” by Colleen Hoover
7. “The Covenant of Water” by Abraham Verghese
8. “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus
9. “Verity” by Colleen Hoover
10. “101 Essays that Will Change the Way You Think” by Brianna Wiest

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• The best books of 2023, according to the NYPL