Top 2025 Library Checkouts Feature ‘The Women’ Says NPR

In 2025, the novel The Women by Kristin Hannah emerged as one of the most checked-out books in U.S. public libraries. This title made it to the top 10 lists in various library systems, including those in Clawson, Michigan, Lawrence, Kansas, Flathead County, Montana, and Hawaii’s state public library system. Additionally, it achieved the status of most-borrowed ebook on the Libby app.

The Impact of The Women

Published in 2024, The Women tells the compelling story of a U.S. Army nurse navigating the complexities of the Vietnam War and her family’s divided opinions on her service. Its popularity is evident, having topped numerous lists last year and featured in NPR’s “Books We Love.” Harold Escalante, the assistant director of collections and access at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library in North Carolina, remarked on its widespread appeal: “She’s a powerful storyteller.”

Top Borrowed Titles by Women in 2025

• All top 10 books on the Libby app were authored by women.
• Three titles from Rebecca Yarros’ romantasy series—*Fourth Wing*, *Iron Flame*, and *Onyx Storm*—ranked among the most-borrowed in New York City’s public library system.
• Other notable female authors included Freida McFadden, Holly Jackson, and Emily Henry, boasting multiple entries on various most-borrowed lists.

Noteworthy Contributions to Literary Lists

Liz Moore’s thriller, The God of the Woods, about a missing teenager, resonated with library patrons, making appearances on multiple most-borrowed lists across states including New York and Washington. Other popular titles among readers this year included:

• The Wedding People by Alison Espach
• Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
• Atmosphere: A Love Story by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Variations in Library Reporting Practices

While many libraries keep track of their most-borrowed titles, not all follow the same reporting format. Some libraries break down their data into categories like fiction, nonfiction, and children’s literature, while others focus solely on print book circulation. Brian Bannon, chief librarian at the New York Public Library, emphasized the diversity of reading formats available, advocating for the enjoyment of reading in all its forms.

In a year where women authors dominated library checkouts, The Women and other notable titles enriched the experiences of readers across the nation. The continued popularity of these books demonstrates the increasing demand for diverse narratives in public libraries.