It’s been roughly a year since our country went into a National Lockdown as an emergency response to the COVID pandemic. During that time, a lot of people turned to reading to pass the time. As a librarian, I was really interested to see what were some of the most popular reads during that time. This is by no means an exhaustive, extensive, or even a 100% accurate list. My findings came mostly from purchase lists from Amazon and other popular sites, but the titles were not all that I expected. I thought some of you might also been interested to see what people were reading a year ago.
Normal People by Sally Rooney, This novel is now a series on Hulu, and you can also download the eBook on Overdrive through Libby. This bestselling love story tells of how one person can change another person’s life.
The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary, We have this book in many formats, and this quirky romance will show you how love can be found in unexpected ways.
Blood Orange by Harriet Tyce, If you like suspense and thrillers a la Shari Lapena and Paula Hawkins, you will enjoy this noir-style drama; a nice change of pace from the novels listed above.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides, This is another book you can get in many formats. Chock full of suspense, this thriller will have you on the edge of your seat as you ask why a woman with a perfect life would suddenly shoot her husband.
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackery, This graphic novel is for all ages in this story of inspiration and hope in trying and uncertain times. These four friends share a journey that teaches all important life lessons.
The Mirror & the Light by Hilary Mantel, named a Best Book of 2020 by The Washington Post, The New York Times, TIME, and more. This is the story of Thomas Cromwell and his journey to notoriety after the death of Anne Boleyn.
If you are interested in learning more about lockdown purchasing trends, you can read this article where I found some of these titles.
