Books about women top Santa Cruz Public Libraries’ most checked-out books in 2025

Books about women were the most checked-out pieces of literature by adults at Santa Cruz Public Libraries in 2025. 

Kristin Hannah’s “The Women,” about a nurse serving in the United States Army Nurse Corps during the Vietnam War, topped the adult fiction list, while Britney Spears’ memoir “The Woman in Me” was the most checked-out nonfiction book last year. 

Sarah Harbison, Santa Cruz Public Libraries collections manager and a 22-year veteran of the library system, said it’s not surprising to see “The Women” top the list as it’s been a bestseller and popular across the country’s libraries.

“Each time we see a new Kristin Hannah title published, we know there’s going to be a huge demand for it,” she said. “She’s such a popular author, not just [Santa Cruz County], but all public libraries.” 

Young adults most checked out “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak from the fiction section. Set in Nazi Germany, it tells the story of a girl who becomes obsessed with books. Harbison said it’s a book with “staying power” and continues to be popular with new audiences. 

“Pete the Cat and his Magic Sunglasses” by James Dean took over the imagination of kids, and topped the kids picture books list. 

Looking for your next read? Check out the full list from Santa Cruz Public Libraries:

Adult fiction

1. “The Women,” by Kristin Hannah

2. “The Covenant of Water,” by Abraham Verghese

3. “The God of the Woods,” by Liz Moore

4. “Fourth Wing,” by Rebecca Yarros

5. “James,” by Percival Everett

Adult nonfiction

1. “The Woman in Me,” by Britney Spears

2. “Atomic Habits,” by James Clear

3. “Educated,” by Tara Westover

4. “Braiding Sweetgrass,” by Robin Wall Kimmerer

5. “Becoming,” by Michelle Obama

Young adult fiction

1. “The Book Thief,” by Markus Zusak

2. “Powerless,” by Lauren Roberts

3. “The Giver” (graphic novel), by Lois Lowry

4. “The Hunger Games,” by Suzanne Collins

5. “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” by Suzanne Collins

Young adult nonfiction

1. “They Called Us Enemy,” by George Takei

2. “Dreams From My Father,” by Barack Obama

3. “The Truths We Hold,” by Kamala Harris

4. “A Young People’s History of the United States,” by Howard Zinn

5. “Maybe An Artist,” by Liz Montague

Kids fiction

1. “Claudia and the Bad Joke,” by Ann M. Martin

2. “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” by J.K. Rowling

3. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Deep End,” by Jeff Kinney

4. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball,” by Jeff Kinney

5. “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” by J.K. Rowling

Kids picture books

1. “Pete the Cat and his Magic Sunglasses,” by James Dean

2. “The Bad Seed,” by Jory John

3. “Pete the Cat and the Itsy Bitsy Spider,” by James Dean

4. “I Want My Hat Back,” by Jon Klassen

5. “Home Is Where the Heart Is,” by Emma Dodd

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