As you may still be reflecting back on last year, the Free Library is also looking back at our most borrowed books of 2016. It should come as no surprise that The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins reigned supreme in traditional book borrowing, but some other top titles may surprise you. Our top ebook download from 2016 was Me Before You by Jojo Moyes, with The Girl on the Train running a close second.

Here are some of our most popular books that were checked out from a number of our library locations throughout 2016, in no particular order:

Walnut Street West Library

The most checked out book at this library was Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin. Having read this book countless times to my own children, I completely understand its popularity. #2 was The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle, #3 Pete the Cat's Train Trip by James Dean, and #4 (finally) The Girl on the Train.
 

Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library

I suppose it shouldn't be too surprising, but #1 is an old favorite, Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss. #2 was Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul by Jeff Kinney, #3 Ten Apples Up On Top! (again by Dr. Seuss), and a tie for the fourth most borrowed books: Ruby by Cynthia Bond and The Score by Kiki Swinson.
 

Northeast Regional Library

The Girl on the Train was most borrowed book at Northeast Regional Library, with the D. Gray-Man series by Katsura Hoshino coming in second most borrowed. Rounding out the list were #3 Mouse Overboard! and #4 Mouse House Hunter, both by Geronimo Stilton, and another tie for fifth place—by the same author Lisa Scottoline—Every Fifteen Minutes and Corrupted.
 

Tacony Library and LAB

Again, the #1 title is everyone's favorite, Sam-I-Am in Green Eggs and Ham! #2 was Blue Exorcist by Kazue Kato and John Werry, #3 Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier - our One Book, One Philadelphia pick for 2016, #4 Fox in Socks by Dr, Seuss, and #5 Friction by Sandra Brown.
 

Overbrook Park Library

#1 is Pokemon Adventures, and not surprising when you learn that this particular library hosts a Pokemon gym.  #2 was A Deeper Love Inside by Sister Souljah, #3 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul makes another apperanace at #3,  #4 The Monkey on My Back by Debbi Morgan, and #5 Between the World and Me.
 

McPherson Square Library

#1 Go Away, Big Green Monster by Ed Emberley ran away with the top title at McPherson Square Library.
 

South Philadelphia Library

Manga and teen titles reign supreme in our newly reopened location in South Philly with Blue Exorcist taking the top spot. Second most borrowed title was Pokemon Adventures: Diamond and Pearl by Hidenori Kusaka (they also have a Pokestop here, in case you are planning to visit), #3 Pretty Guardian: Sailor Moon by Naoko Takeuchi, and #4 Avengers Assemble by Joe Caramagna. We finally see a children's title with the fifth most borrowed book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. Adult titles came in with a tie at #6 with Between the World and Me by Ta-nehisi Coates and Help Your Kids with Math.
 

Independence Library

The Girl on the Train led the way at Independence Libray with many other familiar titles following it.
 

Bustleton Avenue Library

Out of the top 11 borrowed books at Bustelton, nine were Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, with One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss coming in at #5 and The Girl on the Train #8 mixed in for good measure.  

The most popular titles borrowed in 2016 across the entire Free Library were:

1. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
2. Rogue Lawyer by John Grisham
3. Tricky Twenty-Two by Janet Evanovich
4. Gray Mountain by John Grisham
5. Cross Justice by James Patterson
6. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
7. Corrupted by Lisa Scottoline
8. Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult
9. Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee
10. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

While we can't predict which titles will take the prize in 2017, the following books currently have the longest wait lists, so keep an eye out for (and put a hold on):

• Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance
• Commonwealth by Ann Patchett
• The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
• The Whistler by John Grisham