Readers in Boston sought out a happy place of their own this year.
Emily Henry’s rom-com Happy Place was the No. 1 most-borrowed book from the Boston Public Library, Boston.com reports, with readers checking it out 10,422 times. The novel was the No. 2 pick this year for library patrons in New York.
Bonnie Garmus’ Lessons in Chemistry came in at No. 2 in Boston, followed by Gabrielle Zevin’s Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow; Britney Spears’ The Woman in Me; and Jennette McCurdy’s I’m Glad My Mom Died.
Kristin Hannah’s The Women came in at No. 6, followed by Ann Patchett’s Tom Lake, Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing, Prince Harry’s Spare, and Colleen Hoover’s It Starts With Us.
“The most frequently borrowed titles of 2024 highlight personal stories of human resilience,” said Melissa Andrews, the chief of collection management for the Boston Public Library. “This past year, readers gravitated toward narratives exploring real-life challenges—heartbreak, mental health, family dynamics, and personal growth, but particularly women’s stories. Nine out of the ten most frequently borrowed titles were written by women and tell stories that center on women’s experiences and inner lives across multiple settings, decades, and literary styles.”
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
