What was the most borrowed book in 2020 at Orillia's library?

NEWS RELEASE
ORILLIA PUBLIC LIBRARY
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2020, you cancelled one heck of a lot of things. But a global pandemic has a certain way of rearranging priorities and shining a light on what remains essential. 

And Orillia, 2020 has proven that the age-old pleasures of books and the reading of them are something that you hold sacred, something that could not be touched by “cancellation culture.”

You remained true to the immutable joys of reading, with many of you venturing into new, unfamiliar reading formats (such as audiobooks and eBooks) and platforms (like Hoopla and Libby) to get your daily literary fix. 

One thing became resoundingly clear to us in 2020 here at your Orillia Public Library: regardless of format or method of delivery, Orillia absolutely adores Louise Penny! 

In our “Most-Borrowed Adult Books of 2020” list below, you’ll note that the Top 10 titles are “bookended” by the two most recent entries in Canadian Louise Penny’s wildly popular “Inspector Gamache” series. Another favourite was our Big Read selection, coming in at number three.

1. A Better Man / Louise Penny
2. Where the Crawdads Sing / Delia Owens
3. Beyond the Trees / Adam Shoalts
4. Blue Moon / Lee Child
5. The Guardians / John Grisham
6. Becoming / Michelle Obama
7. The Dutch House / Ann Patchett
8. Too Much and Never Enough / Mary Trump
9. Educated / Tara Westover
10. All the Devils are Here / Louise Penny

Adults weren’t the only Orillians who hit the books with gusto in 2020, as a vast number of kids whet their voracious little literary appetites on a wide array of titles from our Family Department! 

Once again, perennial  favourite Mo Willems tops the list, with the hilarious I'm a Frog.

1. I'm a Frog / Mo Willems
2. Rise of the Earth Dragon / Tracey West
3. Grime and Punishment / Dav Pilkey
4. Kristy’s Great Idea / Ann M. Martin
5. Lullabye for a Cowboy / Jan Thomas
6. Hi, Jack / Mac Barnett
7. I Need a Hug / Aaron Blabey
8. The Lost Heir / Tui Sutherland
9. Actual Size / Steve Jenkins
10. Real Friends / Shannon Hale

So there you have it, folks! Thanks for making it a memorable year, to say the least. 

If you’ve already made it through most of the titles on this list, or just want something a little more “bespoke” to entertain, educate or escape into, reach out to Darrin Davis at [email protected] and he’ll be happy to help you choose your next fantastic read!

His official title at the library is “Readers’ Advisor”, but he prefers to be thought of as a “Literary Matchmaker,” and hooking up readers with excellent books they’ll love is totally his jam.

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