What did the greater Gloucester community read in 2025? According to annual circulation data from the Sawyer Free Library, readers once again gravitated toward powerful storytelling, beloved series, and nationally celebrated bestsellers – across all ages and formats.

Topping the adult fiction list for the second year in a row is Kristin Hannah’s deeply moving novel The Women, which continues to resonate strongly with Sawyer Free Library patrons. Readers also followed national reading trends, checking out popular titles such as We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes and Three Days in June by Anne Tyler.

As in years past, graphic novels and favorite series dominated youth reading. Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man titles once again proved wildly popular with younger readers, alongside cherished picture books by Mo Willems.

“The books our community borrowed in 2025 reflect a shared curiosity and a love of reading that spans generations,” said Sawyer Free Library Director Jenny Benedict. “With the exciting opening of our newly reimagined library, we’re seeing renewed energy and engagement from readers of all ages, as people return to discover new stories, connect with one another, and make the Library a part of their everyday lives.”

Sawyer Free Library’s Most Checked-Out Books of 2025

Top 5 Adult Fiction

1. The Women by Kristin Hannah
2. We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes
3. The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
4. Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout
5. Three Days in June by Anne Tyler

Top 5 Adult Nonfiction

1. The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin
2. Gloucester’s Own: Stories From America’s First Fishing Village by Andrew Joyce
3. The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
4. The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War by Erik Larson
5. The Forever Young Cookbook: More Than 100 Delicious Recipes for Living Your Longest, Healthiest Life by Mark Hyman

Top Teen Fiction

1. Surprisingly Sarah by Terri Libenson
2. The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
3. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
4. Betting on You by Lynn Painter
5. The Squad by Christina Soontornvat

Top 5 Children’s Books

1. Dog Man: The Scarlet Shredder by Dav Pilkey
2. The Thank You Book by Mo Willems
3. Dog Man: Fetch 22 by Dav Pilkey
4. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Big Shot by Jeff Kinney
5. Five-Way Tie:
   • Can I Play Too? by Mo Willems
   • Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Diaper Overload by Jeff Kinney
   • Dog Man: Grime and Punishment by Dav Pilkey
   • I Will Surprise My Friend by Mo Willems
   • Should I Share My Ice Cream? by Mo Willems

While top checkouts offer a snapshot of reading trends, they represent only a small portion of the wide range of materials borrowed by the community in 2025. Sawyer Free Library offers thousands of books, e-books, and audiobooks; materials in many world languages; and accessible formats – ensuring there is something for everyone.

With approximately 14,000 cardholders, Sawyer Free Library continues to serve as a cornerstone for education, connection, and cultural enrichment in Gloucester. Residents and students can obtain a Sawyer Free Library card by applying in person, or apply online for a NOBLE eCard, which provides access to Libby, Hoopla, and other digital resources from home, as well as the ability to place holds on print materials.

Readers are invited to explore these popular titles – and discover countless others – by visiting the Library’s newly renovated, modernized and expanded spaces at 2 Dale Avenue in Gloucester, or online at sawyerfreelibrary.org, where librarians are always ready to help patrons find their next great read.