The New York City public libraries have helped millions of people read books they wanted without paying a cent. For many people, this is how they read books and it has never been easier. And now, we know which were the most borrowed books of the year in New York City and even by borough!

With the removal of late fees, that has made borrowing books stress free. Many popular books have been checked out but there have also been books that aren’t as well known. And yes, Colleen Hoover makes a couple of appearances on the list. That is to be expected.

The New York Public Library
The Most checked out books in NYC Public Libraries

NYC Public Libraries Most Checked out Books in 2022

Systemwide:

  1. “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig
  2. “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus
  3. “The Lincoln Highway” by Amor Towles
  4. “Malibu Rising” by Taylor Jenkins Reid
  5. “People We Meet on Vacation” by Emily Henry
  6. “This Time Tomorrow” by Emma Straub
  7. “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid
  8. “Book Lovers” by Emily Henry
  9. “Verity” by Colleen Hoover
  10. “It Ends with Us” by Colleen Hoover

The Bronx:

  1. “The Last Thing He Told Me” by Laura Dave
  2. “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig
  3. “It Ends With Us” by Colleen Hoover
  4. “Crying in H Mart” by Michelle Zauner
  5. “Dream Town” by David Baldacci
  6. “Wish You Were Here” by Jodi Picoult
  7. “Cloud Cuckoo Land” by Anthony Doerr
  8. “The Lincoln Highway” by Amor Towles
  9. “Run, Rose, Run” by Dolly Parton and James Patterson
  10. “The Match” by Harlan Coben

Manhattan:

  1. “Crying in H Mart” by Michelle Zauner
  2. “Beautiful World, Where Are You” by Sally Rooney
  3. “Cloud Cuckoo Land” by Anthony Doerr
  4. “The Lincoln Highway” by Amor Towles
  5. “Malibu Rising” by Taylor Jenkins Reid
  6. “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig
  7. “The Last Thing He Told Me” by Laura Dave
  8. “Harlem Shuffle” by Colson Whitehead
  9. “The Candy House” by Jennifer Egan
  10. “People We Meet on Vacation” by Emily Henry

Staten Island:

  1. “The Last Thing He Told Me” by Laura Dave
  2. “Run, Rose, Run” by Dolly Parton and James Patterson
  3. “It Ends With Us”by Colleen Hoover
  4. “What Happened to the Bennetts” by Lisa Scottoline
  5. “Dream Town” by David Baldacci
  6. “Invisible” by Danielle Steel
  7. “High Stakes” by Danielle Steel
  8. “People We Meet on Vacation” by Emily Henry
  9. “Apples Never Fall” by Liane Moriarty
  10. “The Four Winds” by Kristin Hannah

Brooklyn Public Library

  1. ​”The Last Thing He Told Me” by Laura Dave
  2. “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig
  3. “Beautiful World, Where Are You” by Sally Rooney
  4. “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by V.E. Schwab
  5. “People We Meet on Vacation” by Emily Henry
  6. “Malibu Rising” by Taylor Jenkins Reid
  7. “Apples Never Fall” by Liane Moriarty
  8. “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid
  9. “The Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennett
  10. “Klara and the Sun” by Kazuo Ishiguro

Queens Public Library

  1. “The Paris Apartment” by Lucy Foley
  2. “It Ends With Us” by Colleen Hoover
  3. “The Judge’s List” by John Grisham
  4. “Apples Never Fall” by Liane Moriarty
  5. “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid
  6. “The Last Thing He Told Me” by Laura Dave
  7. “Verity” by Colleen Hoover
  8. “Wish You Were Here” by Jodi Picoult
  9. “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by V.E. Schwab
  10. “What Happened to the Bennetts” by Lisa Scottoline

Commentary

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig was the most checked out book all across the city. In three boroughs, the top checked out book was The Last Thing He Told Me” by Laura Dave. That was still not enough for the book to make the top ten checked out books across all boroughs.

As you can see, each borough has their own preferences and that is to be expected. Each borough is like a different city and they have different preferences. The population density also plays a role and that is why the systemwide list is different than most of the boroughs.

Conclusion

Have you checked out a book from the library and did it make the list? It has been a great year for the NYC libraries and they are important institutions that are helping people read for free.

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