The biggest headlines of 2019 overwhelmed many. On the local level, we thought we were done with the Gang of Five, and then we weren't. There were tensions over TIF districts and former Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin's pardons, to name a few. On the national level, "disinformation" is the word of the year, and we can't even agree on when the decade ends. Oh - and did we mention impeachment?
No wonder then the area's most circulated titles of 2019 are (mostly) escapist fun.
In Ohio
"To ring in the New Year, we're announcing the most circulated titles of 2019, genre by genre," the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County's tweeted late last month. Here's what they revealed:
To ring in the New Year, we're announcing the most circulated titles of 2019, genre by genre. 'Where the Crawdads Sing' is our top adult fiction book of the year! https://t.co/ZJgOvLzmJm pic.twitter.com/uYBk9l1eND
— Cincy Library (@cincylibrary) December 27, 2019
Top Adult Fiction Book
Delia Owens' Where the Crawdads Sing follows two timelines - one chronicling the isolated life of an abandoned young girl living in the marsh of North Carolina; and the other, the murder investigation of the town's star high school quarterback and resident rich kid. The two are intertwined, but to say how would be to spoil it.
Crawdads landed on The New York Times' list of Fiction Best Sellers of 2019 and was selected for Reese Witherspoon's book club. The actress also bought the movie rights - so if you haven't read it yet, you'll want to get on the library's waiting list for it now.
Top Adult Nonfiction Book
It should be no surprise to see former first lady Michelle Obama's memoir Becoming here - it's been making appearances on such lists since 2018, the year it was released.
Top Teen Book
YA readers couldn't get enough of Jenny Han's To All The Boys I've Loved Before, and for good reason: It's every person's worst nightmare. In it, character Lara Jean writes - and hides - love letters to all the boys she's pined over. Then one day those letters accidentally get sent.
In 2018, Netflix turned the 2014 book into a movie, with a sequel coming just in time for Valentine's Day this year.
Top Kids Book
The Pokémon Adventures series claims the top spot for early readers - those kids just gotta get 'em all.
In Kentucky
The Kenton County Public Library also released its list of not just the year, but the decade. It includes:
Top Adult Fiction Book
Delia Owens' Crawdads strikes again. Seriously, you'll want to get on that waiting list stat.
Top Adult Nonfiction Book
Rachel Hollis is a blogger and motivational speaker. Her first self-help book, Girl, Wash Your Face, has remained atop many bestseller lists since its debut in 2018. One Amazon reviewer raved, "Girl, Wash Your Face has changed my life, yes I realise how dramatic that sounds. But it's true! I'm 37 and feel like I've just learnt the skills I need to make my life the best it can possibly be thanks to this book."
Top Teen Book
Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid series takes the title here. In fact, it occupies all five spots on the juvenile fiction list.
Top Kids Book
Cincinnati's own leading lady - we're talking Fiona the hippo, of course - is everyone's favorite, and that includes the book Saving Fiona, by Thane Maynard, Cincinnati Zoo director and host of WVXU's "90 Second Naturalist" podcast.
