Here’s a list of Greater Victoria’s most borrowed library books of 2024

As the year draws to a close, the Greater Victoria Public Library (GVPL) has shared its 2024 most-borrowed books list. 

Additionally, reading remains alive and well in the region based on GVPL’s statistics for the year. 

GVPL says that in 2024, members of the library borrowed over 3.5 million physical items and nearly 2.5 million digital titles.

They say this highlights the continuing appeal of reading print while also showing the growing demand for digital resources.

“Libraries provide access and choice,” said Maureen Sawa, Chief Executive Officer. 

“While physical books continue to lead the way, the rapid growth in digital borrowing is an exciting trend.”

The rise in digital borrowing by over 20% this year shows an increasing demand for ebooks, audiobooks and the utilization of streaming platforms. 

Another sign that access to books at GVPL remains important to Victorians is that there were 22,000 new library members this past year. 

Without further ado, below is the list of GVPL’s most borrowed books—both digital and physical—across several genres:

Adult Fiction

1. The Women by Kristin Hannah
2. The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
3. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
4. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
5. Funny Story by Emily Henry
6. Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
7. None of This is True by Lisa Jewell
8. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
9. Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
10. The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny

Adult Non-Fiction

1. The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
2. Atomic Habits by James Clear
3. The Woman in Me by Britney Spears
4. Outlive by Peter Attia
5. Fire Weather by John Vaillant
6. The Myth of Normal by Gabor Maté
7. The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
8. I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
9. Doppelganger by Naomi Klein
10. How to Know a Person by David Brooks

Teens

1. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
2. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
3. Powerless by Lauren Roberts
4. Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
5. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
6. Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
7. Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
8. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
9. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
10. Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Kids

1. No Brainer by Jeff Kinney
2. Diper Överlöde by Jeff Kinney
3. Stacey’s Mistake by Ellen T. Crenshaw and Ann M. Martin
4. Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea by Dav Pilkey
5. Claudia and the Bad Joke by Arley Nopra and Ann M. Martin
6. Influencers by Dav Pilkey
7. Big Shot by Jeff Kinney
8. Move It or Lose It! by Lincoln Peirce
9. Karen’s Haircut by Katy Farina
10. Winter Turning by Tui Sutherland

“It is always fascinating to see what resonates with readers. Titles like ‘The Covenant of Water’ and authors such as Kristin Hannah and Emily Henry show how word of mouth, media, and social media keep certain stories in the spotlight,” said Rachel Rogers, Coordinator, Collections and Technical Services at GVPL.

“This year, historical fiction was especially popular with our community, while memoirs and books on health and healing remained non-fiction favourites. For teens, BookTok continues to influence reading trends, with ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ topping the list for the second year. For children, comics and graphic novels remain fan favourites,” she continued.

Did you read any of these titles through 2024? What was your favourite read of 2024? 

Let us know in the comments.