GPPL column: Trending titles of 2020

GPPL
Dec 23, 2020  •  December 23, 2020  •  2 minute read
James Fugate, co-owner of Eso Won Books rests his hand on a stack of President Obama's book "A Promised Land" displayed for sale at Eso Won Books in the Leimert Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, November 24, 2020. Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images

So, it’s been a weird year. We’ve spent a lot more time alone and inside than usual, which has led to an unprecedented need for quality entertainment. Watched everything on Netflix? Don’t sweat it, GPPL has resources to help you stay entertained over the holidays.

Although our doors are temporarily closed, you can borrow materials via curbside pickup. If you miss browsing our physical collection and can’t decide what to read or watch next, try out our virtual reader’s advisory services. Visit Gppl.ca à Browse  à We Pick It!

BEST OF 2020 – these were the most popular items at GPPL this year:

Fiction:

  1. Minute to Midnightby David Baldacci

Fast-paced, FBI thriller.

  1. American Dirtby Jeanine Cummings

Literary thriller about crime and migration.

  1. Where the Crawdads Singby Delia Owens

Literary, coming of age story.

  1. Woman on the Edge by Samantha Bailey

Intricately-plotted, psychological suspense.

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  1. The Guest Listby Lucy Foley

Intricately plotted, suspenseful thriller.

  1. Fair Warningby Michael Connelly

Fast-paced, crime thriller.

  1. Such a Fun Ageby Kiely Reid

Character-driven, story about race and privilege.

  1. The Night Fireby Michael Connelly

Fast-paced, LAPD mystery.

  1. The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
    Historical fiction about a traveling library.
  2. The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
    Well-developed story of forbidden love.

Non-Fiction:

  1. Talking to Strangersby Malcolm Gladwell

Advice on getting to know people.

  1. Untamedby Glennon Doyle

Memoir of female empowerment.

  1. From the Ashesby Jesse Thistle
    Memoir about being Metis, homeless and finding ones’ way
  2. Open Bookby Jessica Simpson

Jessica shares intimate struggles.

  1. Too Much and Never Enoughby Mary L. Trump

Trump’s niece tells all.

  1. The Forgotten Childby Richard Gallear
    Memoir of abandoned
  2. If You Tellby Gregg Olsen
    Memoir of murder, family secrets, and sisterhood
  3. Inside Outby Demi Moore

Emotionally charged memoir.

  1. Kids These Daysby Jody Carrington
    Advice on connecting with
  2. Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
     Memoir of growing up in South Africa.

Audio-Visual:
1. Parasite (2019)
South Korean, black comedy, thriller.

  1. Once Upon a Time . . . in Hollywood (2019)
    Comedy-drama by Quentin Tarantino.
  2. Hustlers(2019)
    American, crime drama.
  3. Joker(2019)

American, psychological thriller.

  1. Game of Thrones – Season 8 (2019)

Epic fantasy, drama series.

  1. Downton Abbey (2019)
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British, historical drama.

  1. The Handmaid’s Tale – Season 3 (2019)

American, dystopian, tragedy series.

  1. Knives Out (2019)
    American, mystery film.
  2. Frozen II (2020)

American, animated, musical, fantasy

  1. Ford v Ferrari (2020)

American, sports, drama.

Trending in 2021 – these items have the most holds!

  1. A Promised Landby Barack Obama

First volume of Obama’s presidential memoirs.

  1. A Time for Mercyby John Grisham
    Suspenseful, legal thriller.
  2. The Midnight Library: A Novelby Matt Haig
    Engaging, science fiction about life choices.
  3. Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey 

Inspiring memoir with sage life advice.

  1. The Law of Innocenceby Michael Connelly
    Fast-paced, legal thriller.
  2. Invisible girl: a novelby Lisa Jewell
    Intricately plotted, suspenseful domestic thriller.
  3. Anxious Peopleby Fredrik Backman
    Engaging, relationship-driven fiction
  4. Daylightby David Baldacci

Fast-paced, suspenseful FBI thriller.

  1. The Sentinelby Lee Child

Compelling, fast-paced, plot driven thriller.

 The Vanishing Halfby Britt Bennett
Engaging, character-driven, historical fiction about race.

Jill Kergan is the outreach and learning librarian for the Grande Prairie Public Library.