Library systems from around NoVA have reported their most-checked-out books of 2024. These titles in adult fiction, young adult, and beyond, have made their marks as hugely popular picks for readers, whether they came in print or digital form.
Across several library systems, some books that stood out included Tom Lake by Ann Patchett, the Fourth Wing series by Rebecca Yarros, and, in the children’s category, the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.
Check out these top library books to see if your favorites made it to the top, or use this as inspiration to build your TBR list going into 2025.
Arlington County Public Library
Arlington was full of voracious readers this year. The library system revealed the top books in adult, kids’, and young adult categories.
In the adult section, the top three selections were each checked out more 4,000 times.
“As we celebrate our collective reading in 2024, we are grateful to be of service to the Arlington community and library patrons with exciting book services, author programs, storytimes and ever-expanding diverse collections,” said Rebecca Case, Acting Division Chief, Collections and Access, Arlington Public Library.
Top 5 Adult Books
- The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
- Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
- The Women by Kristin Hannah
- Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
- Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
View the top 20 adult books online.
Top 5 Young Adult Books
- The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
- Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
- Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
- Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
- Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
Top 5 Kids Books
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Big Shot by Jeff Kinney
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth by Jeff Kinney
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball by Jeff Kinney
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel by Jeff Kinney
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever by Jeff Kinney
Arlington also reminded readers that some popular authors will have new books coming out in 2025, including romance writer Emily Henry, a new prequel from The Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins, and a new addition to the Fourth Wing series.
Fairfax County Public Library
It was a big year for readers in Fairfax County. The library system celebrated a milestone of 25 million digital checkouts, with 3.8 million in the year 2024. On average, the FCPL circulates more than 12 million items.
Top 5 Adult (eBooks):
- The Second Mrs. Astor: A Heartbreaking Historical Novel of the Titanic by Shana Abe
- The Marlow Murder Club: A Novel by Robert Thorogood
- The Women: A Novel by Kristin Hannah
- It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover
- Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed by Lori Gottlieb
Top 5 Childrens/Young Adult (eBooks):
- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
- Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
- The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
- Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Top 5 Adult (Print):
- Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
- Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
- Exchange, After the Firm by John Grisham
- The Women by Kristin Hannah
- Happy Place by Emily Henry
Top 5 Children’s/Young Adult (Print):
- Thank You Book by Mo Willems
- Dog Man: Mothering Heights by Dav Pilkey
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley’s Journal by Jeff Kinney
- Dog Man: Unleashed by Dav Pilkey
- Dog Man: Fetch by Dav Pilkey
Prince William County Library
In Prince William County, librarians have compiled lists of the top 10 books in several categories, including adult fiction, juvenile fiction, e-books, easy and board books for kids, plus DVDs.
Top 10 Adult Fiction
- Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
- Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
- The Teacher by Freida McFadden
- The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
- West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge
- None of This is True by Lisa Jewell
- The Housemaid Is Watching by Freida McFadden
- Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
- Resurrection Walk by Michael Connelly
- The Exchange: After The Firm by John Grisham
Top 10 Easy and Board Books
- The Pigeon Has to Go to School! by Mo Willems
- The Pigeon Wants a Puppy! by Mo Willems
- Fifteen Animals! by Sandra Boynton
- The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? by Mo Willems
- The Sour Grape by Jory John
- The Bad Seed by Jory John
- Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds
- Pete the Cat’s Groovy Imagination by Kim Dean
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
- Creepy Pair of Underwear! by Aaron Reynolds
Top 10 Juvenile Fiction
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid: No Brainer by Jeff Kinney
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Diper Överlöde by Jeff Kinney
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball by Jeff Kinney
- Tales from a Not-So-Posh Paris Adventure by Rachel Renée Russell
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Deep End by Jeff Kinney
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw by Jeff Kinney
- Dinosaurs Before Dark by Mary Pope Osborne
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley’s Journal by Jeff Kinney
- Dragonslayer by Tui Sutherland
View the full list of top checkouts from PWCL here.
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
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