Ottawa Public Library Uncovers Its Most Requested Books of 2024
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- 31 Dec 2024
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The Ottawa Public Library (OPL) has unveiled its list of the most requested titles for 2024, showcasing a diverse array of books that reflect the varied tastes of local readers. Compiled from the number of hold requests placed between January 1 and December 1, the library releases annual Top 10 lists for both English and French titles, as well as popular selections for teens and children.
This year’s list features a notable shift in settings compared to previous years, according to Chris Simmons, the manager of content services for OPL. “World War Two has been a very popular setting for a long time, but you see different settings in some of these books,” he noted.
Top 10 Most Requested English Titles
Topping the English list is The Women by American author Kristin Hannah. This novel follows 20-year-old Frances "Frankie" McGrath, who joins the Army Nurse Corps during the Vietnam War and returns home to navigate the tumult of a divided America in the mid-1960s.
In second place is The Grey Wolf by Canadian author Louise Penny. Released at the end of October, this 19th installment of the Armand Gamache mystery series has generated significant demand among Ottawa borrowers, highlighting the enduring popularity of the Insp. Gamache character.
The full list of the Top 10 most requested titles in English for adults in 2024 is as follows:
- The Women by Kristin Hannah
- The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny
- Funny Story by Emily Henry
- The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
- This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune
- The Briar Club by Kate Quinn
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
- Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
- The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
Insights on Non-Fiction Titles
The list includes two notable non-fiction titles: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt and Atomic Habits by James Clear. Simmons pointed out that these books resonate with readers' concerns and anxieties. Haidt, a social psychologist, discusses how smartphones and social media are contributing to a mental health crisis among children and teenagers, a topic that has become increasingly relevant for many parents. Similarly, Clear’s book on productivity addresses the challenges of a phone-centric lifestyle, appealing to those looking to regain control over their habits.
The Top 10 list features a strong representation of female authors, with seven women and three men included. Notably, two Canadian authors made the cut: Louise Penny and Carley Fortune, whose This Summer Will Be Different is described as a "sexy and dreamy summer romance novel" set on Prince Edward Island.
Comparing Lists: Ottawa vs. Toronto
Interestingly, four of the Top 10 titles in Ottawa also appeared on the Toronto Public Library's list, which is based on the most read and borrowed books of the year rather than hold requests. Toronto's list is led by two books from The Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros, a rising star in the "romantasy" genre, which has sold an estimated three million copies since the release of The Fourth Wing in May 2023.
Simmons noted that literary fiction remains highly popular in Ottawa, with a demand for more complex and challenging reads. “We do find that literary fiction is always very popular in Ottawa,” he said.
As the OPL continues to curate its collections based on community interests, the 2024 most requested titles reflect a dynamic and evolving literary landscape that resonates with readers in the capital.
