Top Fiction Books by Circulation at the Bethel Library in 2024

Tied for The Third Most Checked Out Title:

Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks

Dreamland is an emotional story that follows a farmer with a passion for music, an aspiring singer, and a woman trying to escape an abusive marriage with her young son. This love story explores the theme of risking everything to pursue a dream and questions whether it is truly possible to leave the past behind.

The Road to Dalton by Shannon Bowring

Set in Dalton, Maine, in 1990, this novel explores life in small-town America. When a local makes an unthinkable decision, the community is shaken. In the aftermath, personal issues come to light, revealing that no one is quite who they seem.

The Second Most Checked Out Title:

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Elizabeth Zott is a self-assured research chemist in 1960s California whose career takes an unexpected turn when she becomes the star of a popular TV cooking show. Lessons in Chemistry combines humor and keen observations with a vibrant cast of characters while also portraying the unique challenges of early feminism.

The Most Checked Out Title:

Welcome Home, Stranger by Kate Christensen

This novel explores grief, love, and family complexities through the journey of a woman in her fifties who reluctantly returns to Maine after her mother’s death. It raises the question: Can you ever truly go home again? Lively and emotionally resonant, it captures the essence of the human experience.