Welcome to the first-ever edition of “SJCPL Wrapped!” Inspired by the likes of Spotify Wrapped and Goodreads’ Your Year in Books, we’re excited to share some fun statistics about our circulation this year. Let’s dive into the most checked-out books and movies that captured our community’s attention in 2024!
Adult Fiction
The Women by Kristin Hannah
Checkouts: 0
This novel by powerhouse writer Kristin Hannah was the most circulated title by far this year. A #1 New York Times bestseller and the winner of Goodreads’ 2024 Readers’ Choice Award for Historical Fiction, The Women follows female nursing student Frances McGrath after she joins the Army Nurse Corps during the Vietnam War.
Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand
Checkouts: 0
Beach read queen and chick lit extraordinaire Elin Hilderbrand’s Swan Song was our second most circulated title. Swan Song concludes the beloved Nantucket series of novels, where the setting of Nantucket Island is as vibrant and memorable as her characters.
A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci
Checkouts: 0
David Baldacci’s historical legal thriller took third place in our adult fiction checkouts. Set in 1968 in southern Virginia, white lawyer Jack Lee enlists the help of Black Chicago lawyer Desiree DuBose to defend a Black man charged with murder. Situated at the tail end of the Civil Rights Movement, this case will have far-reaching consequences for the Virginia community.
Adult Nonfiction
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
Checkouts: 0
Our final One Book, One Michiana pick, Being Mortal, was by far our most checked-out nonfiction title. Surgeon and public health researcher Gawande discusses the evolution of mortality in this timeless bestseller.
The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson
Checkouts: 0
Our second most checked-out adult nonfiction title was The Demon of Unrest. This engaging thriller rooted in fact, penned by master storyteller Erik Larson, unveils the calamitous five months between President Abraham Lincoln’s election and the start of the Civil War.
Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance
Checkouts: 0
Leaping back into prominence as a result of our latest presidential campaign, Vice President-elect J.D. Vance’s memoir and class exploration was our third most checked-out adult nonfiction title. Rooted in working-class life in Appalachia, Vance gives readers his take on the struggles faced by this community.
Teen Books
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Checkouts: 0
Romantasy phenomenon A Court of Thorns and Roses was our most checked-out teen title. Equal parts fantasy adventure and romance, this loose retelling of Beauty and the Beast has captured hearts and minds worldwide.
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
Checkouts: 0
This first book in a contemporary romance trilogy and inspiration for an Amazon Prime television series was our second most checked-out teen title. The Summer I Turned Pretty, written by Jenny Han of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before fame, brings us on Belly’s journey into a summer that will forever change her dynamics with childhood friends Jeremiah and Conrad.
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
Checkouts: 0
The second installment in the beloved ACOTAR series took our third-place spot for teen checkouts. Considered by many fans to be the turning point in the series’ trajectory, readers will not want to miss the next step in Feyre’s sweeping, romantic journey.
Movies
Oppenheimer
Checkouts: 0
Cinematic masterpiece Oppenheimer, a biopic of atomic bomb architect and scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer, was by far our most checked-out movie. If you were captivated by the film and want to learn even more, we also carry American Prometheus.
Barbie
Checkouts: 0
Runaway sensation Barbie was our second most checked-out movie. This feature film spawned countless memes and will perhaps be the start of its own cinematic universe.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
Checkouts: 0
Will there ever be a true “last” Indiana Jones movie? We are unsure, but this movie’s third-place spot in our film checkouts proves there is definitely still an audience full of Harrison Ford’s adoring fans eager for a next installment.
Children’s Books
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: No Brainer by Jeff Kinney
Checkouts: 0
You will quickly notice a trend in our most popular children’s books! The 18th book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, which has gained popularity rapidly and explosively since the first book’s 2007 release, was our most checked-out children’s book.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
Checkouts: 0
Harry Potter has been a pop culture mainstay for a long, long time, and the first book in the series’ place as our second most checked-out children’s book is evidence of that. Did you know a television series reboot is in the works?
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules by Jeff Kinney
Checkouts: 0
The second of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books took our third place spot! This installment features Greg’s wannabe rockstar brother Rodrick. We also have the cult favorite movie adaptation of this title!
