In January, libraries like to throw out a top 10 list of adult fiction reads their patrons borrowed over the previous year. It’s a way for us to brag about the literary tastes of our community of readers.
Calgary Public Library (CPL), for instance, put out their 2021 list, with Delia Owen's Where the Crawdads Sing in top spot, followed closely by Louise Penny’s All the Devils are Here, and Brit Bennett’s The Vanishing Half.
Here at Airdrie Public Library (APL), we also have a top 10 adult fiction list, and it reveals that our community – though living in the shadow of Alberta’s most populace city – has its own tastes.
In our top spot was Kristin Hannah’s The Four Winds, with 123 borrows last year. Set in Texas in 1934, the book explores one of the darkest periods of the Great Depression.
In second spot was Lee Child’s 25th installment of the Jack Reacher series, The Sentinel, at 109 borrows. The Sentinel was number 10 on CPL’s list, which might suggest that Airdronians and Calgarians alike enjoy their fiction loaded with relentless and explosive action.
In third place at 105 borrows was David Baldacci’s A Gambling Man, the second in the Aloysius Archer series about a straight-talking World War II veteran.
Fourth was John Grisham’s A Time for Mercy at 103 borrows. This is the third in Grisham’s gritty legal thriller series featuring the tenacious lawyer, Jake Brigance.
The next six of APL’s top 10 adult fiction reads and the number of borrows are as follows:
Win, by Harlan Coben at 97 borrows.
Daylight, by David Baldacci at 91 borrows.
All the Devils are Here, by Louise Penny at 90 borrows.
Deadly Cross, by James Patterson at 84 borrows.
The Return, by Nicholas Sparks at 83 borrows.
The Russian, by James Patterson and James O. Born at 82 borrows.
What do these top 10 reads tell us about the fiction our patrons enjoy? Well, they certainly show Airdronian readers like complex characters, intriguing mysteries, and plenty of action.
For more information on APL’s programs and services, visit www.aidriepubliclibrary.ca
