Boyertown Readers Still Turning Pages: Local Library's Most Popular Books of 2025

by Lesley Misko

[ Editor's note ... January 14, 2026 The Expression published an article about the most frequently checked out library books around the country during 2025. If you missed it, you can read it here. Now we check out the local scene.]  

Step inside the Boyertown Community Library on a busy afternoon and the message is clear: reading is far from fading away. Parents browse picture books with toddlers in tow. Teens hunt for the next funny series. Adults linger near the new‑book shelves, debating which title to take home.

That steady activity is reflected in the library’s list of most frequently checked‑out books for 2025 — a snapshot of what Boyertown readers loved most this year, and a reminder that stories still matter in every corner of the community.

“People come in. We have a good amount of foot traffic compared to other local libraries” said Assistant Supervisor Sairra Cloen, who has worked at the library for several years and has held her current position for about three. “We definitely see a lot of families and a lot of regular adult readers.”

One especially memorable moment came just after the holidays. Cloen recalled that the day after New Year’s, the library issued about eight new cards in the first hour alone. “That doesn’t happen every day,” she said. “But it was exciting to see people starting the year by coming to the library.”

Memoirs, thrillers, and big conversations

Among adult readers, memoirs and emotionally rich nonfiction led the way. The most popular biography of the year was Be Ready When the Luck Happens, Ina Garten’s warm and candid look at her life and career. Prince Harry’s bestselling Spare followed close behind, along with Rebecca Skloot’s enduring favorite The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, which continues to attract new generations of readers.

Fiction lovers gravitated toward drama and suspense. Kristin Hannah’s The Women topped the list, drawing readers into a powerful story set during the Vietnam War. Not far behind were two thrillers by Freida McFadden — The Tenant and The Inmate — proving that page‑turners remain in high demand.

Nonfiction reflected some of the year’s biggest cultural conversations. Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation, which explores the impact of phones and social media on young people, was the most‑borrowed title in the category, followed by J.D. Vance’s Hillbilly Elegy.

These choices echo themes highlighted earlier this year in Boyertown Area Expression’s “Best Books of 2025” feature, which pointed to memoir, historical fiction and thought‑provoking nonfiction as standout genres nationwide.

Kids keep the shelves busy

In the children’s section, familiar favorites ruled. Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid series dominated the fiction category, with Greg Heffley’s Journal, Big Shot and Hard Luck each loaned dozens of times. For younger readers, Mo Willems’ mischievous pigeon proved irresistible in the picture‑book aisles.

Cloen sees that enthusiasm firsthand. “We definitely get a lot of families that come in with their kids,” she said. “Our story times are always very popular, and our kids’ programs usually bring in between 15 and 25 children each time.”

How Boyertown compares with Philadelphia

Boyertown’s reading tastes also line up in interesting ways with those of much larger libraries — including the Philadelphia Free Library, which recently released its own list of most‑borrowed books for 2025.

In Philadelphia, suspense and literary fiction topped the charts. The most‑checked‑out title across the city was The God of the Woods by Liz Moore, a mystery by a local author that gained national attention. Other favorites included Percival Everett’s James and Alison Espach’s The Wedding People. Among children, graphic novels such as Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man series flew off the shelves.  [You can find an extensive list with book descriptions from the Philadelphia Free Library here.]

Despite the difference in size between the two systems, the similarities are striking. Both communities showed a strong appetite for gripping fiction, big‑name memoirs and children’s series that make kids laugh and keep them reading. Whether it’s Freida McFadden in Boyertown or Liz Moore in Philadelphia, readers everywhere seem drawn to stories that keep them turning pages late into the night.

At the same time, Boyertown’s list reflects the close‑knit nature of a smaller community, with steady interest in a focused group of titles and long‑running favorites.

A library that’s more than books

While digital resources are available, Cloen believes physical books still make up much of the library’s circulation. “I think a good amount of it is still the physical materials that go around,” she said — good news for anyone who still loves the feel of a book in hand.

Beyond borrowing, the library continues to serve as a gathering place, offering story times, craft programs, fitness classes and visits from local authors. “We’re excited to keep offering programming and books and ways to encourage reading,” Cloen said.

As 2025’s checkout lists show, whether in a small borough library or a major city system, one thing remains constant: readers are still eager to discover, escape and connect — one book at a time.

More News from Boyertown

• Mark Malizzi Recognized for Selfless Service Honoring America's Fallen Mark Malizzi received prestigious recognition recently for his efforts in creating the "Honor Bear," part of the Bear Fever community art project.
• SNOW? OH, NO! Kathy Kirk: In Defense of the Weather Often, at this time of year, "the weather" becomes the world's favorite subject of complaints; Kathy Kirk offers a different perspective.