Readers in Okotoks certainly have good taste.
The Okotoks Public Library has revealed this year's list of most checked-out fiction and non-fiction books, and plenty of popular page-turners made the list.
The library's 2024 most-popular fiction list is:
The Women, Kristin Hannah (2024)
The Exchange: After The Firm, John Grisham (2023)
Fourth Wing, Rebecca Yarros (2023)
A Calamity of Souls, David Baldacci (2024)
The Edge, David Baldacci (2023)
The nonfiction list is:
The Woman in Me, Britney Spears (2023)
The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt (2024)
Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity, Peter Attia (2023)
Counting the Cost, Jill Duggar (2023)
The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder, David Grann (2023)
Besides its most-booked books, the Okotoks Public Library certainly had an exciting year.
The Okotoks Public Library currently has 16,590 cardholders, well over last year's count of 13,843.
"As we look back on 2024, it’s clear that TikTok, and specifically #BookTok, played a huge role in shaping our library users’ reading habits," said Sarah Gillie, director of the library.
Social media has been a major boost for readership among young people in particular, she continued.
"Among our teen readers, horror and sports romances stood out as particularly popular genres," said Gillie. "The influence of social media has been incredible —#BookTok doesn’t just highlight new releases; it often brings older titles back into the spotlight simply because they’re mentioned in a viral video.
"Staying on top of these trends has been a fun challenge for our staff, ensuring we have the right books on our shelves to meet demand. It’s exciting to see how this platform continues to ignite a passion for reading in our community."
The library's growth in 2024 also included the addition of 8,174 items to its collection this year, bringing its total up to 65,273 items, including books, DVDs, audiobooks and assorted items like snowshoes, lights and more.
Learn more about the Okotoks Public Library here, and access the library's catalogue here.
