Shawnee County's Best Books of 2025
Let's look back on another fantastic year of reading! Between our staff favorites, community favorites and top checkouts booklists, you are sure to find something that suits your interest. Stop by the library or check out one of these books on Libby or Hoopla and curl up for a cozy winter's night in.
Top Checkouts
Fiction
Examining the differences in fiction checkouts across print, ebook and digital audiobook formats each year is interesting. Popular authors like James Patterson, Nora Roberts and David Baldacci still hold strong to their claim at the top of print fiction checkout lists. Frieda McFadden also saw an all-time high in popularity at the library this year and can be found on the top print fiction checkout list a couple of times.
Mystery, suspense and romance genres are most popular across all formats of fiction checkouts, but the top 10 checkouts for ebooks and digital audiobooks are more romance leaning than print checkouts that skew more toward mystery and suspense. No matter what format you prefer to read, there is something for every reader on these lists as fantasy, horror and historical fiction are also represented. Check one of these out today to see what all the hype is about!
Nonfiction
If you were one of the many people waiting for The Let Them Theory this year, you will not be surprised to learn it was the most checked out nonfiction title this year. Between print and ebook formats, The Let Them Theory checked out more than 1,100 times!
Memoirs were also popular with nonfiction readers in 2025. While several made it to the top checkout lists, The House of My Mother was by far the most favored and was checked out more than 600 times in 2025 in print, ebook and digital audiobook formats.
Juvenile & Young Adult (YA)
The most popular juvenile titles included many animal characters, both real and magical. From cats to dragons and sharks to unicorns, you'll find a creature on this list you and your young one will love reading about.
YA readers also loved magical elements this year as a significant number of the top checkouts were fantasy fiction. A close second were graphic novels. You're never too old to read YA, so give one of these titles a try today!
All the Favorites
Staff Favorites
Library staff read a lot of books this year and these lists bring everyone's favorites to you in one place. If you are stuck in a reading rut or want to try something new, grab one of these books highly recommended by your friendly, local librarians!
Community Favorites
If you want to know what other readers in Topeka and Shawnee County are loving, grab one of these books. Don't see your favorite on the list? Email kkriley@tscpl.org with your recommendation to have it added!
Youth Librarians' Favorite Recommendations
Early childhood librarian Sherry read a lot of great picture books in 2025 and didn't want you to miss them. You or your little ones are sure to enjoy these, so place a few on hold now!
Our school age librarian Deanna compiled a list of books young readers have been raving about this year. There's a bit of everything on this list so check it out!
Last but not least, our teen librarian Andrew reviews what teens loved in 2025, but didn't make it to the top of the checkouts list. Again this list makes apparent how much teens are loving graphic novels and fantasy fiction. With incredible imagery and magic, what's not to love?
Celebrate the Best Books of 2025
On Sat, Jan 3, 10am join us in the library's fiction wing to talk with other readers about all the books you loved in 2025 and prep your reading list for 2026. We will have craft supplies for you to make a one-of-a-kind bookmark to use while you read all your new favorites!
More recommendations
Check out our catalog anytime to find the newest books and browse staff created booklists. We also highlight a variety of reads in our book blogs all year long with new articles posted monthly.
With your library card you can access Novelist for free to find read-a-likes for all your favorite books. You can also pick up a copy of BookPage at the library to get national recommendations and explore new titles.
If you're looking for more personalized recommendations, consider using our Browsing Just for You service. Answer a few questions and let us select books just for you. We are also happy to make recommendations in person at the library or on bookmobiles.
Lastly, if you’re on Facebook, join the Top City Reads Together group to stay up-to-date on what other community members are reading and share your own suggestions.
You have plenty of time to finish one or two more excellent books in 2025 to finish your reading year strong. Happy reading!
