January 9, 2001

Top 20 Circulating Fiction & Nonfiction Books in 2000 Announced

What were the most popular fiction and nonfiction books for adults that readers checked out last year from the Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County?

For the third year in a row, John Grisham was the most widely read fiction author. His novel Brethren circulated 4,329 times, while Frank McCourt's 'Tis: A Memoir, was borrowed 1,437 times. Grisham's legal thrillers Testament and The Street Lawyer also topped the list in 1999 and 1998 respectively, and Testament came in at number 20 this past year. McCourt's Angela's Ashes: A Memoir, the runaway number one nonfiction title in 1999, remained very popular this year, ranking at number two most circulating nonfiction title.

This year's publishing phenomenon - Harry Potter - is not factored into this list as it is categorized as a young adult book, even though it is as widely sought after by adults as younger readers. Indeed, the demand for Harry Potter books was astounding. In 2000, the Library's Harry Potter books in print and on tape and CD circulated 21,977 times.

"Mysteries and romances continue to be the most frequently requested novels by our Library users," said Director/Librarian Kimber L. Fender. "Tracking circulation trends and assessing changing tastes in reading helps us be more responsive to our users and to be sure to meet current reading interests and demands. We want to always encourage our readers to stop by often by offering a wide selection of their favorite authors and a great choice of new books as well as old favorites."

Top 20 Fiction 2000

• The Brethren by John Grisham (4,329)
• "O" Is for Outlaw by Sue Grafton (3,892)
• Before I Say Goodbye by Mary Higgins Clark (3,578)
• The Wedding by Danielle Steel (3,101)
• Irresistible Forces by Danielle Steel (3,074)
• Black Notice by Patricia D. Cornwell (2,838)
• Timeline by Michael Crichton (2,628)
• The House on Hope Street by Danielle Steel (2,519)
• After the Fire by Belva Plain (2,508)
• The Alibi by Sandra Brown (2,385)
• Pop! Goes the Weasel: A Novel by James Patterson (2,382)
• Where You Belong by Barbara Taylor Bradford (2,292)
• Monster: A Novel by Jonathan Kellerman (2,224)
• Standoff by Sandra Brown (2,211)
• The Cat Who Robbed a Bank by Lilian Jackson Braun (2,070)
• Soft Focus by Jayne Ann Krentz (2,049)
• False Memory by Dean R. Koontz (2,013)
• Hugger Mugger by Robert B. Parker (1,929)
• The Attorney by Steve Martini (1,781)
• The Testament by John Grisham (1,728)

Top 20 Nonfiction 2000

• 'Tis: A Memoir by Frank McCourt (1,437)
• Angela's Ashes: A Memoir by Frank McCourt (1,109)
• Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, A Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson by Mitch Albom (849)
• A Walk in the Woods: Rediscover America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson (466)
• The Perfect Storm: A True Story of Men Against the Sea by Sebastian Junger (434)
• Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus: A Practical Guide for Improving Communication and Getting What You Want in Your Relationships by John Gray (393)
• The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav (362)
• Girl Singer: An Autobiography by Rosemary Clooney with Joan Barthel (362)
• Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil: A Savannah Story by John Berendt (355)
• The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom by Suze Orman (347)
• Pokemon Trading Card Game: Prima's Official Strategy Guide (338)
• Gailieo's Daughter: A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith, and Love by Dava Sobel (328)
• Mary Emmerling's Smart Decorating by Mary Elli Emmerling (326)
• The Antiques Roadshow Primer: The Introductory Guide to Antiques and Collectibles from the Most-watched Series on PBS by Carol Prisant (326)
• As Nature Made Him: The Boy Who Was Raised as a Girl by John Colapinto (325)
• Eating Well for Optimum Health: The Essential Guide to Food, Diet, and Nutrition by Andrew Weil (324)
• Life: Our Century in Pictures by Richard B. Stolley, editor, and Tony Chiu, Deputy Editor and Writer (311)
• Cybill Disobedience: How I Survived Beauty Pageants, Elvis, Sex, Bruce Willis, Lies, Marriage, Motherhood, Hollywood, and the Irrepressible Urge to Say What I Think by Cybill Shepherd (309)
• What If?: The World's Foremost Military Historians Imagine What Might Have Been: Essays (301)
• Game Boy Game Secrets: Prima's Official Strategy Guide by Stuart Campbell (301)

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