As 2025 wraps up, Botetourt County Libraries took a look at the books and movies patrons borrowed most this year.
Top Adult Fiction: Readers’ hands-down favorite was “The Women” by Kristin Hannah, a powerful historical novel. Close behind were “The Woman in Suite 11” by Ruth Ware, a fast-paced mystery, and “Sharp Force” by Patricia Cornwell, continuing the popularity of crime and suspense.
Top Adult Nonfiction: Stories of real people, both everyday folks and famous figures, topped the nonfiction list. Readers gravitated toward three top titles: “Paper Girl” by Beth Macy, the Applachian adventures of “Mailman” Stephen Grant, and “Confronting Evil: Assessing the Worst of the Worst” by Bill O’Reilly.
Top Children’s & Teen Titles: Young readers remained devoted to series. Kids gravitated toward manga and graphic novels rather than chapter books, with “Pokémon Adventures,” “Babymouse,” and multiple “Dog Man” volumes as the most-borrowed children’s titles. For teens, “Sunrise on the Reaping” topped the list, joined by enduring favorites from the Hunger Games, Percy Jackson, and Harry Potter series.
Top Movies: Movie night favorites included “Jurassic World Rebirth,” “The Bad Guys 2,” and “How to Train Your Dragon,” showing strong demand for action-packed and family-friendly films.
Together, 2025’s top titles show that Botetourt readers continue to enjoy compelling stories, well-known authors/series, and an appetite for escapism and connection. We can’t wait to see which new and old favorites top the charts in 2026!
~ Botetourt County Libraries
