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Published on December 18, 2024
Gabrielle Zevin's "Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow" Tops NYC Libraries' Most Popular Books of 2024Source: Google Street View

The New York City literary scene has shown its colors for 2024, and it turns out, a story about friendship, love, and video games reigns supreme. In a first-of-its-kind amalgamation of data from the New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, and Queens Public Library, "Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow" by Gabrielle Zevin has emerged as the most popular book across all formats citywide, as reported by Gothamist.

Following closely behind Zevin's novel in the citywide list was Emily Henry's "Happy Place," with Rebecca Yarros' "Fourth Wing" snatching the third spot. However, the number one spots differ from borough to borough, according to Brian Bannon, Chief Librarian. He observed distinguishing genre preferences in each area. "The Bronx is more like thriller, memoir, historical fiction. Manhattan — literary fiction, social contemporary, relationship driven. Queens, I saw fantasy, thriller, diverse voices, and then Staten Island — thriller, family drama, comfort reads," Bannon stated, hinting at the notion that New York City has its own unique taste, deviating from the national trend that typically sees self-help and memoir titles leading the lists, as reported by Gothamist.

On the flip side, the New York Public Library has also curated its annual list of the best books of the year, showcasing titles across various categories, including works that reflect the diverse tapestry of NYC's readership. The committee-selected assortment is part of an age-old tradition, aiming to celebrate the city's love for literature and its authors in a time when, as Bannon puts it, “Throughout the year we librarians and staff spend countless hours reading, selecting, discussing, and putting together this list of a wide variety of book titles that reflect our diverse patrons’ varied tastes. We’re proud to offer this list every year, and celebrate our readers and authors, especially at a time when the very act of reading, and the freedom to choose what to read, is under threat,” detailed by 6sqft.

Amongst the top ranks of adult books, "The Black Utopians: Searching for Paradise and the Promised Land in America" by Aaron Robertson, and "You Should Be So Lucky" by Cat Sebastian are noteworthy mentions. Meanwhile, the teens' category brings attention to works like "Bright Red Fruit" by Safia Elhillo, and "The Deep Dark" by Molly Knox Ostertag. For the youngest readers, titles such as "Everywhere Beauty Is Harlem: The Vision of Roy DeCarava" illustrated by E.B. Lewis, shine a light on the multicultural aspects of New York City, as detailed by 6sqft.