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Deerfield librarians reveal most popular books of 2018

Deerfield librarians reveal most popular books of 2018
The Lucky Duck shelves at the Deerfield Public Library are where Nina Michael, left, teen librarian, and reader services librarian Melissa Stoeger suggest looking for popular books. (Steve Sadin/Pioneer Press)

Finding a bestselling book like Michelle Obama’s “Becoming” or Bob Woodward’s “Fear: Trump in the White House” can be as simple as a trip to the Deerfield Public Library.

Woodward’s book came out in September and was the second most-borrowed nonfiction book for 2018 as of Dec. 17. Bestselling books and movies recently released to theaters are among the top 10 items borrowed from the library.

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When Melissa Stoeger, reader services librarian, senses a look will be popular, she initially orders eight to 10 copies so patrons will not have to wait too long. She’s prepared, though, if the waiting time for the three-week checkout becomes lengthy.

“With Michelle Obama’s book, I knew it was going to be hot and I ordered 10 copies,” Stoeger said.

Since “Becoming” was released Nov. 13, it has not had time to climb to the top of the adult nonfiction list, which was headed by Tara Westover’s “Educated: a Memoir,” said Stoeger, adding she expects to see movement soon.

“It will be (near) the top next year,” Stoeger said.

A patron anxious for a particular book can go to the library’s Lucky Duck shelf and take their chances..

“It’s where we have hot titles,” Stoeger said. “There are no holds and it’s a seven-day checkout. If you can read it in seven days, check it out.”

While there may be eight to 10 popular books working their way through the system with holds and a waiting list, Stoeger said there could be two or three on the Lucky Duck shelves.

“The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas is the most borrowed book on the teen list, which does not distinguish between fiction and nonfiction, according to Nina Michael, teen librarian. Teens are middle and high school students, while youth selections are geared for fifth grade and under.

Michael said “The Hate U Give” is about a teenaged African-American who is the sole witness of the shooting of a friend by a police officer. As the teen is pressured by a number of people, she makes sure she has a voice and it is heard.

Nonfiction like “The Hate U Give” is gaining popularity among teens who a few years ago were more interested in gritty and dystopian literature, Michael said.

“They see what is going on around them and they want to read about it,” she said. “This could happen and they want to understand it. On the other end of the emotional spectrum, they read things which end in happiness and joy.”

One of the emotionally-uplifting books read by teens, “I Will Always Write Back: How One Letter Changed Two Lives” which is sixth on the teen list, is the story of pen pals — one from the United States and the other from Zimbabwe.

When popular books wane among readers, Stoeger said those available for borrowing are pared to between one and three. The rest are placed on a shelf for purchase with funds going to the Friends of the Deerfield Library.

“The money from that buys more books,” said Judy Hoffman, outreach coordinator.

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As for movies, Stoeger said the library gets new ones as soon as the DVDs are released. The most popular one this year was “Ocean’s 8” followed by “Game Night,” “Book Club,” “Ant-Man and the Wasp” and “Avengers: Infinity War.”

“Tuesday is when we get the new movies and people are lined up at the door to get them,” Hoffman said.

While there was a time comic books were not considered sufficiently high brow for a library, that is no longer the case. They run the subject gamut from fantasy to history to science fiction.

“Reading is reading,” Michael said. “Illustrations can give as much of an impact as the words themselves. It is a different form of reading.”

The most popular comics for youth are “Dog Man and Cat Kid” followed by “Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties” and “Dog Man Unleashed,” all by Dav Pilkey.

The most-borrowed adult fiction selections are “Little Fires Everywhere,” by Celeste Ng, “Before We Were Yours” by Lisa Wingate and “Pachinko” by Mim Jin Lee.

The most popular youth nonfiction book is the “The Guinness Book of World Records” followed by “Minecraft” and “Have You Filled a Bucket Today.” Two other “Minecraft” books also are on the list.

“Dragons Love Tacos” tops the picture book category while “Loser” is the most borrowed among youth fiction. “Coco,” “Wonder” and “Ferdinand” lead youth movies

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