BPL’s 2024 Big Borrows (so far!)
Half the year has gone by already—time sure flies when you’re hooked on fantastic books! Here’s a look at some of the most popular books our Burlington Public Library members have been loving this year.
The BIGGEST Borrows
Our top five most borrowed physical books have over 250 checkouts each. Burlington readers might not be surprised to see a few perennially popular novelists leading the pack—along with one standout non-fiction title that climbed to the top.
#1 The Exchange: After The Firm
Topping the list at 339 loans is John Grisham’s explosive sequel to his 1991 action-packed novel, The Firm. The Exchange picks up fifteen years after Mitch McDeer and his wife Abby fled the country after exposing crimes committed by a top tax law firm. Now a partner at the largest law firm in the world, he’s asked for a favour by a mentor in Rome that plunges him into a sinister plot that has global implications and once against places everyone he holds dear in danger.
If you liked this book, try these legal thrillers recommended by NoveList:
Where Are The Children Now? by Mary Clark Higgins
The Defence by Steve Cavanagh
Central Park West by James Comey Jr.
The Law of Innocence by Michael Connelly
Even When You Lie by Michelle Cruz
#2 The Women
Readers borrowed Kristin Hannah’s blockbuster novel, The Women, a whopping 318 times since February! It’s 1965, and twenty-year-old nursing student Frances "Frankie" McGrath impulsively joins the Army Nurse Corps, following her enlisted brother to war-torn Vietnam. As green and inexperienced as the men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is overwhelmed by the chaos and destruction of war, as well as the unexpected trauma of coming home to a changed and politically divided America.
While you’re waiting for this book, try these historical fiction titles recommended by NoveList:
The War Librarian by Addison Armstrong
The Woman With A Purple Heart by Diane Hanks
Absolution by Alice McDermott
The Lotus Eaters by Tatjana Soli
Flying Angels by Danielle Steel
#3 None of This Is True
Lisa Jewell’s latest sensation, None of This Is True, joined BPL’s collection back in August 2023 and holds the third top spot with 282 loans of the physical book this year. This riveting psychological thriller centers on popular podcaster Alix Summers and an unassuming woman she meets called Josie Fair. Before she knows it, Josie has inveigled her way into Alix's life—and into her home. But, as quickly as she arrives, Josie disappears. Only then does Alix discover that Josie has left behind a terrible and terrifying legacy that puts her life and her family's lives in mortal danger.
If you liked this book, try these nail-biting novels recommended by NoveList:
A Stranger on the Beach by Michele Campbell
The Couple in the Photo by Helen Cooper
The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
Greenwich Park by Katherine Faulkner
Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
#4 Resurrection Walk
Readers are reunited with defense attorney Mickey Haller and LAPD Detective Harry Bosch in Michael Connelly’s seventh and latest police/legal procedural novel in The Lincoln Lawyer series, Resurrection Walk. Together, Haller and Bosch set out to prove the innocence of a woman in prison for killing her husband, putting Mickey in the crosshairs of a killer who doesn't want the case reopened—or the truth coming to light. Number of loans: 270
If you liked this book, try these 'law and order' thrillers recommended by NoveList:
The Hidden Man by David Ellis
The Guardians by John Grisham
Damage by John Lescroart
Bear is Broken by Lachlan Smith
Testimony by Scott Turow
#5 The Woman in Me
Britney Spears’s tell-all biography ranks fifth with 268 borrows in the first half of this year. For the first time, Spears reveals her incredible journey as one of the greatest performers in pop music history. Written with remarkable candor and humor, The Woman in Me shines light on the enduring power of music and love and the importance of a woman telling her own story, on her own terms.
If you liked this book, try these star-studded bios recommended by NoveList:
The Half of It by Madison Beer
The Meaning of Mariah Carey by Mariah Carey
More Myself by Alicia Keys
Open Book by Jessica Simpson
Don’t Tell Anybody the Secrets I Told You by Lucinda Williams
Discover Read-Alike Titles
Whether you’re waiting for a popular book, or you’ve just finished a satisfying read, you can easily find suggestions for read-alike books or authors who write like your favourites.
Look in the Library Catalogue
Start by searching BPL’s catalogue for the book you finished or the one you want. Then, scroll down the catalogue record to the 'Explore further' section. Here, you’ll find related books in the series, similar authors, and a link to even more information about the title, such as similar titles and series, provided by an online literary resource called NoveList. And there’s even more to explore when you visit the NoveList eResource through the library website.
Visit the NoveList Plus eResource
Be prepared to discover more about your favourite books! This trusted and innovative resource has been helping readers find their next books for more than thirty years, with a database of over 250,000 titles. Beyond the suggestions provided in the library catalogue, the NoveList Plus online resource takes a deep dive into the title, offering book reviews from trusted sources, related lists and articles, and descriptions of the book’s genre, style, themes, and more. Look under RESOURCES on BPL’s website in the eBooks & eAudiobooks section to access NoveList Plus—and NoveList K-8 Plus for younger readers.
Try Our Handpicked For You Service
Our book-loving staff are always eager to help you find your next best read. Simply fill in our handy online form to receive a personalized Handpicked For You bundle of books or a digital list of suggestions. You can also give us a call or drop by any BPL branch to speak with our knowledgeable staff!
