If you’re seeking fresh inspiration for your book club as we step into the new year, the Vancouver Public Library’s release of the most borrowed books in 2023 offers an exciting place to commence. Each year, they unveil three lists of the top 10 books for adults, teens, and kids, encompassing a diverse array of themes. Amongst the returning champions, new contenders have also emerged, beckoning readers to embrace them in 2024. Topping the adult reading list is “101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think” by Brianna Wiest. Originally published in 2016, this book comprises short essays and listicles focused on the pursuit of happiness, offering insights on embracing negative thinking and the benefits of a daily routine.
Expressing her thoughts on the matter, Kay Cahill, VPL’s director of information technology, remarked, “Vancouverites continue to be interested in self-help, self-reflection, and personal health”. The top five reads on the adult list predominantly consist of non-fiction books, with the tell-all memoir “Spare” by Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, securing the second spot. This book garnered attention for its shocking revelations about Harry and the Royal Family, including detailed accounts of a physical altercation with his elder brother, Prince William, and his plea to his father, now King Charles, to reconsider his marriage to Camilla, who is now the Queen Consort.
Securing the third position is “Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plant” by Robin Wall Kimmerer, a scientist and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. Previously topping the VPL’s borrowed adult books list in 2022, Kimmerer’s 2013 book continues to exert its influence even a year later. “Braiding Sweetgrass” delves into the role of plants and botany in Indigenous and Western cultures and has also been adapted into a young adult version by the award-winning Indigenous author Monique Gray Smith, based in Victoria, B.C.
On the teen’s list for the second consecutive year, “A Court of Thorns and Roses,” the first book in a fantasy series by Sarah J. Maas, reigns supreme. This book series has maintained its allure amongst the young readers, solidifying its place as a perennial favorite. The Vancouver Public Library’s lists of most borrowed books offer readers a fascinating glimpse into the literary preferences of the community and serve as an intriguing resource for those seeking exciting reads for their book club discussions.
