Dec. 19, 2024 – We're counting down the most popular books of the year. We've compiled lists of the most borrowed titles by Cedar Rapids Public Library patrons in several different genres. This week we're rounding up adult fiction, mystery, romance, science fiction & fantasy, adult nonfiction, ebooks, and digital audiobooks. Next week, check back for the most borrowed young adult fiction, children's chapter fiction, children's picture books, children's nonfiction, graphic novels, and movies.
What stood out this year? You especially loved several authors. In adult fiction, those included Freida McFadden, Colleen Hoover, and Emily Henry. Nita Prose and John Sandford had multiple books in the mystery genre, and Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series, Robyn Carr's Virgin River novels, and Debbie Macomber dominated romance. The sub-genre of romantasy ruled the science fiction & fantasy category, with Rebecca Yarros and Sarah J. Maas making multiple appearances. Adult nonfiction's most popular topics were memoirs, politics, and history.
Browse all the top 10 lists below, and put titles on hold in our catalog by clicking on the covers.
Adult Fiction
- "The Women" by Kristin Hannah
- "The Teacher" by Freida McFadden
- "Funny Story" by Emily Henry
- "Happy Place" by Emily Henry
- "Lessons in Chemistry" by Bonnie Garmus
- "Too Late" by Colleen Hoover
- "None of This is True" by Lisa Jewell
- "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- "The Housemaid" by Freida McFadden
- "The Inmate" by Freida McFadden
Mystery
- "Listen for the Lie" by Amy Tintera
- "Think Twice" by Harlan Coben
- "The Mystery Guest" by Nita Prose
- "Resurrection Walk" by Michael Connelly
- "Three-Inch Teeth" by C.J. Box
- "Judgment Prey: A Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers Novel" by John Sandford
- "Toxic Prey: A Lucas and Letty Davenport Novel" by John Sandford
- "The Maid" by Nita Prose
- "Dirty Thirty: A Stephanie Plum Novel" by Janet Evanovich
- "Still See You Everywhere" by Lisa Gardnery
Romance
- "To Sir Phillip, With Love: Bridgerton 5: Eloise's Story" by Julia Quinn
- "What Matters Most: Shadow Chasing and Laughter in the Rain" by Debbie Macomber
- "An Offer from a Gentleman: Bridgerton 3: Benedict's Story" by Julia Quinn
- "Forbidden Falls: A Virgin River Novel" by Robyn Carr
- "The Hating Game" by Sally Thorne
- "My Favorite Half-Night Stand" by Christina Lauren
- "The Ones Who Got Away" by Roni Loren
- "The Perfect Holiday: That Wintry Feeling and Thanksgiving Prayer" by Debbie Macomber
- "16 Lighthouse Road" Cedar Cover" by Debbie Macomber
- "Angel's Peak: A Virgin River Novel" by Robyn Carr
Science Fiction & Fantasy
- "Fourth Wing: The Empyrean Book 1" by Rebecca Yarros
- "Iron Flame: The Empyrean Book 2" by Rebecca Yarros
- "A Court of Mist and Fury: A Court of Thorns and Roses Book 2" by Sarah J. Maas
- "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury
- "The House in the Cerulean Sea" by TJ Klune
- "Project Hair Mary" by Andy Weir
- "A Court of Thorns and Roses" by Sarah J. Maas
- "House of Sky and Breath: A Crescent City Novel" by Sarah J. Maas
- "Dune" by Frank Herbert
- "Bookshops and Bonedust" by Travis Baldree
Adult Nonfiction
- "Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning" by Liz Cheney
- "The Woman in My" by Britney Spears
- "I'm Glad My Mom Died" by Jennette McCurdy
- "Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI" by David Grann
- "Counting the Cost: A Memoir" by Jill Duggar
- "The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny, and Murder" by David Grann
- "The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War" by Erik Larson
- "The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism" by Tim Alberta
- "Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism" by Rachel Maddow
- "How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen" by David Brooks
Ebooks
- "It Starts with Us" by Colleen Hoover
- "Verity" by Colleen Hoover
- "I’m Glad My Mom Died" by Jennette McCurdy
- "The Exchange" by John Grisham
- "The Perfect Marriage" by Jeneva Rose
- "Identity" by Nora Roberts
- "Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI" by David Grann
- "The Last Goodnight" by Kat Martin
- "Before We Were Yours" by Lisa Wingate
- "Fourth Wing" by Rebecca Yarros
Digital Audiobooks
- "Never Lie" by Freida McFadden
- "The Four Winds" by Kristin Hannah
- "Fourth Wing: The Empyrean Book 1" by Rebecca Yarros
- "Iron Flame: The Empyrean Book 2" by Rebecca Yarros
- "I’m Glad My Mom Died" by Jennette McCurdy
- "It Starts With Us" by Colleen Hoover
- "Educated: A Memoir" by Tara Westover
- "The Paris Apartment" by Lucy Foley
- "The Woman in My" by Britney Spears
- "The Guest List" by Lucy Foley