Most popular books at SPL in 2020

By Jerrie Whiteley
Herald Democrat

In a world where everything has been changed, it seems, reading books in one way many people dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic. This week, Sherman Public Library's Adult Services Librarian Sunny Purdin said both library staff and patrons have had to make adjustments to keep everyone safe.

Purdin released the following list of the most checked out books of the year for the library. However, she cautioned, that list does not include the books that were checked out digitally through services like Libby. 

Digital books have been really big during the pandemic. Those who wanted to be able to flip their books' pages with their actual fingers were able to access the library's stacks in several ways.

"We've had curb side pickup," she said, where people can check out book either via the phone or over the internet and then just drive up and someone will bring the books out. Or, she said, people can come into the library.

"We do require masks," she said and they prefer that people practice social distancing as much as possible. The pandemic put an end, for the time being, to programs like story time and other social interactions at the library. However, Purdin said the staff can't wait till they start those programs back up again. 

Here is the list of the most checked out books at the Sherman Public Library in 2020:

Fiction 

"Fair Warning" written by Michael Connelly

Michael Connelly's "Fair Warning" is one of the most checked out books of 2020 at Sherman's Public Library.

"Walk the Wire" written by David Baldacci

David Baldacci's "Walk the Wire" is one of the most checked out books of 2020 at the Sherman Public Library.

"The Midwife Murders" written by James Patterson and Richard DiLallo

"Shadows in Death" written by J.D. Robb

J.D. Robb's "Shadows in Death" was one of the most checked out fiction books of the year at Sherman's Public Library.

"The Midnight Library" written by Matt Haig.

"Three Women Disappear" written by James Patterson and Shan Serafin

"Where the Crawdads Sing" written by Delia Owens.

"The Guardians" written by John Grisham

"Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery : a novel," written by Jenny Colgan.

"The Sea Glass Cottage" written by RaeAnne Thayne.

Non-Fiction

"Caste : The Origins of Our Discontents," written by Isabel Wilkerson

Isabel Wilkerson's "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents" was one of the most checked out non fiction books at the Sherman Public Library in 2020.

"Too Much and Never Enough : How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man," written by Mary L. Trump, PhD.

Mary L Trump's book was one of the most checked out non fiction books of the year at Sherman's public library

"GED Test Prep Plus 2020".

"The Way I Heard It," written by Mike Rowe.

"White Fragility." written by Robin Diangelo

"Nala's World" written by Dean Nicholson ; with Garry Jenkins.

"Rage," written by Bob Woodward

Bob Woodward's book about President Donald Trump was one of the most checked out books at Sherman's Public Library this year.

"The Total Money Makeover : A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness," written by Dave Ramsey.

"Praying God's Word : Breaking Free from Spiritual Strongholds,"  written by Beth Moore.

Life World War 2 : History's Greatest Conflict in Pictures," written by edited by Richard B. Stolley.

Young Adult

"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," written by by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" was one of the most checked out books of the year at the Sherman Public Library.

"Twilight : a Novel," written by by Stephenie Meyer.

Vampires were still big in 2020 it seems as "Twilight" was one of the most checked out books of the year at Sherman's Public Library.

"Cress," written by written by Marissa Meyer.

"Divergent," written by Veronica Roth.

"The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes : A Hunger Games Novel," written by Suzanne Collins

"Orange : 1 Written by the Complete Collection," story and art by Ichigo Takano ; translation, Amber Tamosaitis

"Orange : 2 Written by the Complete Collection". story and art by Ichigo Takano ; translation, Amber Tamosaitis ; adaptation, Shannon Fay.

"Bone," written by Jeff Smith.

"Amulet. Book one, The Stonekeeper," written by Kazu Kibuishi.

"Legend," written by Marie Lu.