NYC library systems reveal most popular books of 2025: See what New Yorkers read

Key Takeaways:

• NYC’s Most Popular Books of 2025
• Staten Island’s Distinct Preferences
• Reading Trends Across the City
• Library System Collaboration
• Publication Date: December 21, 2025

The Latest NYC Reading Trends

New York City’s library systems unveiled the most borrowed books of 2025, providing an annual snapshot of literary interests across the five boroughs. While the full list spans every major genre, initial data suggests that suspenseful fiction and mainstream bestsellers continue to pique the city’s curiosity.

Staten Island’s Unique Tastes

Staten Island readers stand out for favoring thrillers and popular fiction. Local borrowing data indicates that page-turning suspense and buzzy, high-profile novels attracted eager audiences throughout 2025. This preference underscores Staten Island’s ongoing demand for stories that promise fast-paced intrigue and compelling plots.

A Citywide Snapshot

Although Staten Island exhibits clear reading trends, the larger city showed equally diverse tastes. Across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, libraries reported strong borrowing patterns for everything from memoirs to literary fiction. Yet, despite the city’s variety, thrillers saw a notable uptick in popularity, suggesting that readers everywhere continue to crave gripping narratives.

Looking Forward

City libraries are poised to use these findings to guide future collection development, ensuring that 2026 will also serve the diverse interests of New York’s reading public. With Staten Island’s enthusiastic adoption of thrillers and popular fiction, libraries across the boroughs have tangible proof of what keeps readers hooked and coming back for more.