Fergus Library’s Top 10 of 2024
We have officially said goodbye to 2024 and many of us have already begun working on our 2025 reading goals. My first finished books of the New Year were “Powerless” by Lauren Roberts and “Practicing the Way” by John Mark Comer. In preparation for the upcoming release of “Onyx Storm” by Rebecca Yarros, I have also been working on re-reading the first two books in her series, “Fourth Wing” and “Iron Flame”. With over 1000 pages between both books, my reading time has slightly increased this month! Before we completely move on from the past year, I want to take one more look at the most popular books checked out from the Fergus Falls Public Library, as chosen by YOU – our reading community.
#10 “The Secret: A Jack Reacher Novel” by Lee Child
Published at the end of 2023, this is the 28th book in the “Jack Reacher” series. It is 1992 and eight respectable, upstanding people have been found dead across the US. These deaths look like accidents and don’t appear to be connected. Reacher’s mission? Uncover the truth. The question is: will he bring the bad guys to justice the official way…or his way?
#9 “Girl Gone Missing” by Marcie Rendon
While this is the second book in the “Cash Blackbear Mystery” series, you may see the first book make an appearance later on in this list. Two girls go missing from small, rural towns. The sheriff is on the case, but Cash also asks around to see what else can be uncovered. When Cash goes to a writing prize ceremony in the city, her path intersects with the case of the missing girls and she gets swept up into something sinister.
#8 “It Starts With Us” by Colleen Hoover
Spoiler alert…the first book in this series also made the “Top 10” list this year! Switching between the perspectives of Lily and Atlas, “It Starts with Us” picks up right where the epilogue of “It Ends with Us” left off. This book focuses more on Atlas’s past and follows Lily as she navigates a divorce, parenting, and a second chance at true love.
#7 “Verity” by Colleen Hoover
If you are looking for a dark, manipulating, twisted thriller, then this is the book for you. Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime – finishing bestselling author, Verity Crawford’s, remaining books. What Lowen doesn’t expect to uncover is an unfinished autobiography of bone-chilling admissions Verity never intended for anyone to read.
#6 “It Ends With Us” by Colleen Hoover
With the movie release of this book in August, it is no surprise this title made an appearance on this year’s list. And, with three books in the “Top 10”, Colleen Hoover was officially the most popular author at the Fergus Library in 2024. Hoover is known to write romance novels that do not necessarily have a “happily ever after” ending. This book is no exception with domestic violence being a present topic in the book. Lily Bloom’s relationship with Ryle is not what it seems and when Lily’s first love, Atlas, reenters the picture, everything becomes even more complicated.
#5 “Murder on the Red River” by Marcie Rendon
See? I told you the first book in Rendon’s “Cash Blackbear Mystery” series would show up! This title was the library’s December book club pick. Cash Blackbear is a young Ojibwe woman whose visions and grit help solve a brutal murder in this award-winning debut. The murder in this story acts as a launching point for an artfully articulated written work, criticizing the systematic removal of Native American children from their families.
#4 “Dog Man” series by Dav Pilkey
This graphic novel series is always a popular one at the Fergus Library. When Greg the police dog and his cop companion are injured on the job, a life-saving surgery changes the course of history, and Dog Man is born. With the head of a dog and the body of a human, this heroic hound has a real nose for justice. But can he resist the call of the wild to answer the call of duty?
#3 “Cat Kid Comic Club” Series by Dav Pilkey
Another well-loved children’s graphic novel series at the library we can hardly keep on the shelves. Naomi, Melvin, Pedro, and Poppy are just a few of the twenty-one rambunctious, funny, and talented baby frogs who share their stories. The adventures unwind with mishaps and hilarity as the creative baby frogs experience the mistakes and progress that come with practice and persistence.
#2 “The River We Remember” by William Kent Krueger
In 1958, a small Minnesota town is rocked by the murder of its most powerful citizen, pouring fresh fuel on old grievances. Both a complex, spellbinding mystery and a masterful portrait of mid century American life, Krueger’s book is an unflinching look at the wounds left by the wars we fight abroad and at home, a moving exploration of the ways in which we seek to heal, and a testament to the enduring power of the stories we tell about the places we call home. This title had over 60 checkouts to claim the #2 spot.
#1 “The Women” by Kristin Hannah
At one point during the year, this book had over 200 holds on it! We went from having 4 copies to 13 because of the demand. I have yet to read this book, but it was one of Katelyn’s (our Adult Services Librarian) favorite reads of 2024. It was also the winner for the “Readers’ Favorite Historical Fiction (2024)” book award on Goodreads. “The Women” is the story of one woman gone to war, but it shines a light on all women who put themselves in harm’s way and whose sacrifice and commitment to their country has too often been forgotten. A novel about deep friendships and bold patriotism, Hannah delivers an immersive and emotional experience for readers. Last year, Kristin Hannah had 2 books in our “Top Ten” and this year she soundly claimed the #1 spot with over 150 checkouts!
How many of the above titles have you read? I am encouraged to add a few titles to my 2025 reading list and I hope you are too. Thank you to the Fergus Falls community for being a wonderful group of readers and contributing to this past year’s list! Thank you also to Kelly at Viking Headquarters for gathering the book stats for this article. I am looking forward to seeing what popular books 2025 will bring.
Krista Kugler is the Children’s Services Librarian at the Fergus Falls Public Library
