Here are the Vancouver Public Library's most-borrowed books of 2022

If you are in need of a read for your next book club, or have made a New Year's resolution to up your literary game, then alist of the most borrowed books at the Vancouver Public Library (VPL) is a good place to start.

The annualreveal is actually three lists ofthe top 10 borrowed books for adults, teens and kids. This year, the themes of the books are varied and likely reflective of happenings in the world and in pop culture.

For the second year in a row, an Indigenous writerhas clinched the number one spot among adult borrowers. (Thomas King topped the list last year with his novel Indians on Vacation).

In 2022, those honours go to Robin Wall Kimmerer,scientistand member ofthe Citizen PotawatomiNation, for her non-fiction workBraiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plant.

"It's been a runaway hit," said Inness Campbell, manager of collections and technical services at VPL.

Campbell said the audio version is read by Kimmerer and is an "incredible" listen. She also noted that the book was recently adapted into a young adult version by award-winning Indigenous author Monique Gray Smith who is based in Victoria, B.C.

"I would not be a little surprised to see it next year on my young adult list," said Campbell.

Indigenous content is already among the most borrowed teen reads this year, with The Marrow Thieves, Firekeeper's Daughtersitting high at number two and three respectively.

Also charting among young readers is Campbell's recommended readIron Widow, a futuristic sci-fi bookwritten by Simon Fraser University graduate Xiran Jay Zhao.

"It is book one and there's a book twocoming later this year, so I'm very excited about that," said Campbell.

In the number one spot on the young-adult list is A Court of Thorns and Roses,the first book in a fantasy series by Sarah J. Mass. Published in 2015, it was announced last year that the series is being adapted for the screen, to be streamed on Hulu.

And what appears on screen appears to influence what people are reading as well.

In the wake of the blockbuster film adaptation ofDune,Frank Herbert's novel cracked the list.

Authors Liane Moriarty and Sally Rooney also have books among the most borrowed and both have hadadaptations of previous works draw big audiences on streaming sites. Moriarty wrote Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers,and Rooney is of Normal People fame.

What didn't chart well this year were books about people in office and policymakers.

"We're seeing a bit of a drop-off in political books," said Campbell, noting that only a political mystery novel co-written by Hillary Clinton and Canadian author Louise Penny made the lists.

During a year that included an ongoing pandemic, climate change-related disastersand a general election, maybe Vancouver readers were looking for escapism in 2022.

If that's the case, thenthe titles below could beyour next possible read.

Top 10 borrowed adult books

1. Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plantsby Robin Wall Kimmerer
2. The Last Thing He Told Meby Laura Dave
3. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Onesby James Clear
4. Cloud Cuckoo Landby Anthony Doerr
5. Apples Never Fallby Liane Moriarty
6. Duneby Frank Herbert
7. Beautiful World, Where Are Youby Sally Rooney
8. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
9. The Vanishing Halfby Brit Bennett
10. State of Terror by Hillary Clinton and Louise Penny

Top 10 borrowed young adult books

1. A Court of Thorns and Roses: A Court of Thorns and Roses Series, Book 1by Sarah J. Maas
2. The Marrow Thievesby Cherie Dimaline
3. Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley
4. Six of Crows: Dregs Series, Book 1by Leigh Bardugo
5. Iron Widow: Iron Widow Series, Book 1by Xiran Jay Zhao
6. The Inheritance Gamesby Jennifer Lynn Barnes
7. Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (A Hunger Games Novel) by Suzanne Collins
8. One of Us is Lyingby Karen M. McManus
9. They Both Die at the Endby Adam Silvera
10. Shadow and Bone: The Grisha Trilogy, Book 1by Leigh Bardugo

Top 10 borrowed children'sbooks

1. Big Shot: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, Book 16 by Jeff Kinney
2. The Deep End: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, Book 15 by Jeff Kinney
3. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone: Harry Potter Series, Book 1 by J. K. Rowling
4. Wrecking Ball: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, Book 14 by Jeff Kinney
5. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: Harry Potter Series, Book 2 by J. K. Rowling
6. Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories by Jeff Kinney
7. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Harry Potter Series, Book 4 byJ. K. Rowling andRowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Adventure by Jeff Kinney (tie)
8. The Meltdown: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, Book 13 by Jeff Kinney
9. Hard Luck: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, Book 8 by Jeff Kinney
10. Cabin Fever: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, Book 6 by Jeff Kinney