NoVA Libraries Reveal Most-Read Books of 2023

Throughout 2023, NoVA’s libraries supplied readers with countless books (both online and in print) that spanned a diverse range of genres and subject matter. And a few of those titles just kept flying off the shelves.  

So, which books were the most popular? In Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William counties, librarians reveal the most-read books of the year.  

Arlington County 

It was a big year for readers in Arlington. Six adult books surpassed the mark of 3,000 checkouts, and the No. 1 title came in at a whopping 5,000 checkouts. Several young adult titles stood out as well.  

“I’m always impressed when I look at the list of most requested and checked out books by patrons,” said Library Division Chief Peter Petruski. “It shows the continued diversity with our collection and proclaims Arlington is a community of readers.” 

Adult: 

1. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus 
2. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin 
3. Spare by Prince Harry 
4. Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver 
5. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros 
6. Happy Place by Emily Henry 

Young Adult: 

1. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han  
2. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas 
3. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins 
4. Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas 
5. Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas 

Fairfax County 

In Fairfax, digital reading took over with a milestone 3 million digital loans in a year, for the first time since the system joined Overdrive in 2006.  

Adult eBooks and eAudiobooks: 

1. The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese (eAudio) 
2. 101 Essays that Will Change the Way You Think by Brianna Wiest (eAudio) 
3. Verity by Colleen Hoover (eBook) 
4. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (eAudio) 
5. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (eBook)  

Childrens and Young Adult eBooks and eAudiobooks: 

1. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (eAudio) 
2. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas (eAudio) 
3. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han (eBook) 
4. A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sara J. Maas (eAudio) 
5. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (eAudio) 

But print checkouts continued to go strong, with these titles standing out as the most popular.  

Print Adult: 

1. World of Curiosities by Louise Penny 
2. Desert Star by Michael Connelly 
3. Boys from Biloxi by John Grisham 
4. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus 
5. Long Shadows by David Baldacci 

Print Childrens/Young Adult: 

1. Thank You Book by Mo Willems 
2. Dog Man: Fetch by Dav Pilkey 
3. Dog Man: Mothering Heights by Dav Pilkey 
4. I Really Like Slop by Mo Willems 
5. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley’s Journal by Jeff Kinney 

Prince William County

A few titles rose to the top in Prince Willliam County.  

Adult Fiction 

1. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus 
2. Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan 
3. Book Lovers by Emily Henry 
4. It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover 
5. Verity by Colleen Hoover 

Young Adult Fiction 

1. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han 
2. It’s Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han 
3. Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow 
4. The Maze Runner by James Dashner 
5. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins 

Feature image, stock.adobe.com

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