2025’s most popular library books for Alabama readers

Alabama readers love a good novel.

All of the most commonly checked out books from public libraries in the state’s two largest counties were works of fiction.

And many were parts of series. The most popular genres this year spanned romance, historical fiction, thrillers, fantasy and science fiction.

In both Huntsville and Birmingham’s library systems, readers flocked to check out one title the most, at least for physical books: “The Women” by Kristin Hannah, a historical fiction novel published in 2024 that traces the story of a woman who joins the Army Nurse Corps during the 1960s and goes to war.

Jefferson County

In Alabama’s largest county, physical circulation – or the lending of materials like books and DVDs to patrons – ticked up slightly this year, up to about 3.93 million, said Tobin M. Cataldo, executive director of the Jefferson County Library Cooperative, Inc.

“The Women” by Kristin Hannah, as well as other titles by authors David Baldacci and Rebecca Yarros, returned to this year’s list after being counted among the most popular books for 2024.

[Can’t see the table? Click here.]

Public libraries in Jefferson County also surpassed 1 million checkouts via OverDrive again this year – a new milestone in 2024.

That program hosts the award-winning reading app Libby in which patrons can download and listen to audiobooks with a library card. OverDrive checkouts dipped slightly this year to 1.01 million.

The millionth checkout was “Somewhere Beyond the Sea” by TJ Klune.

Madison County

The library system for Alabama’s second largest county saw more visitors this year at its 11 locations, up nearly 11% to 1.4 million people.

Total circulation during 2025 compared to the previous year dipped by about 1%, to 2.95 million, said Jay Hixon, public relations director for the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library.

The most popular genres this year, both for physical books and digital or audio copies, were historical fiction, romance and fantasy.

[Can’t see the table? Click here.]

Several titles that made it to the top five library books in Huntsville last year made it on the list again in 2025. That includes “The Women” by Kristin Hannah – also ranked No. 1 in Huntsville last year, as well as “The Four Winds” by Kristin Hannah, which was ranked third compared to this year’s No. 4 spot.

And “Fourth Wing” by Rebeca Yarros took the No. 2 spot again this year for digital books.

The Hallmark+ BingePass is available through the library system via Hoopla, which provides a seven-day borrowing period to watch Hallmark Channel movies and series.