Which Books Were the Most Popular at Bronx Libraries?

The New York Public Library has issued its yearly ‘Top Checkout List‘ for 2019 which breaks down the most popular books checked out across the entire library system in The Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island and even shows the most popular books by borough and branch.

Former First Lady Michelle Obama’s ‘Becoming’ topped the list as the most checked out book across the NYPL including the top in The Bronx and several branches located within our borough.

So what is The Bronx reading?

The top ten in The Bronx are as follows:

  1. Becoming by Michelle Obama
  2. Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover
  3. Ambush by James Patterson and James O. Born 
  4. The Chef by James Patterson
  5. A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult
  6. Liar Liar by James Patterson and Candice Fox
  7. The 18th Abduction by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
  8. Long Road to Mercy  by David Baldacci 
  9. Target: Alex Cross by James Patterson
  10. The House Next Door by ​James Patterson, Tim Arnold, Max DiLallo, and Susan DiLallo

Top Book by Branch in the Bronx

Allerton – Becoming by Michelle Obama

Baychester – Becoming by Michelle Obama

Belmont – The Caregiver by Samuel Park

Bronx Library Center – Becoming by Michelle Obama

Castle Hill – Becoming by Michelle Obama

City Island – Redemption (Book 5) by David Baldacci

Clason’s Point – The Bronx by Marcus Weber

Eastchester – The Vitamin Cure : Clinically Proven Remedies to Prevent and Treat 75 Chronic Diseases and Conditions by Monte Lai, Ph.D

Edenwald – Influence by Carl Weber

Francis Martin – A Game of Thrones Book 1 by George R.R. Martin

Grand Concourse – The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

High Bridge – The Bronx by Marcus Weber

Hunt’s Point – When I Was Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago

Jerome Park – Betty Crocker learn with Betty: Essential Recipes and the Techniques to Become a Confident Cook by Betty Crocker

Kingsbridge – Becoming by Michelle Obama

Melrose – Becoming by Michelle Obama

Morris Park – Becoming by Michelle Obama

Morrisania – Murder in Paradise by James Patterson

Mosholu – Murder in Paradise by James Patterson

Mott Haven – The Black Market by Kiki Swinson

Parkchester – Traffic Enforcement Agent by Jack Rudman

Pelham Bay – Under Current by Nora Roberts

Pelham Parkway–Van Nest (tie)– Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan and Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Riverdale – Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover

Sedgwick – Jane Austen’s Women: An Introduction by Kathleen Anderson

Soundview – Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Spuyten Duyvil – Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover

Throg’s Neck – Liar Liar by James Patterson and Candice Fox

Tremont – Ambush by James Patterson

Van Cortlandt – I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Wakefield – Provisions: The Roots of Caribbean Cooking–150 Vegetarian Recipes by Michelle and Suzanne Rousseau

West Farms – The Black Market by Kiki Swinson

Westchester Square – New York City SHSAT Specialized High Schools Admissions Test by Gilbert Kessler, Anne Villeponteaux and Lawrence Zimmerman

Woodlawn Heights – We Are Not Ourselves by Matthew Thomas

Woodstock (three-way tie*) –The Meaning of Happiness: The Quest for Freedom of the Spirit in Modern Psychology and the Wisdom of the East by Alan Watts; Networking All-In-One for Dummies by Doug Lowe; and Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick

Now we wanna read some of these books to see what the fuss is about among our residents!

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Ed García Conde

Ed García Conde is a life-long Bronxite who spends his time documenting the people, places, and things that make the borough a special place in the hopes of dispelling the negative stereotypes associated with The Bronx. His writings are often cited by mainstream media and is often consulted for his expertise on the borough's rich history.