The end of the year brings no shortage of lists — best of, most memorable, even worst. Among the most anticipated are the book lists highlighting what readers loved (or didn’t) over the past 12 months.
Two of Marblehead’s most book-friendly spots — Abbot Public Library and Saltwater Books — shared what readers were drawn to in 2025.
Abbot Public Library Director Kimberly Grad offered insight into the community’s reading preferences, sharing the library’s most popular titles across age groups.
Children
Three titles from Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man series topped the list.
Dog Man follows a canine cop who is part dog, part man and all hero, according to Scholastic. There are currently 14 books in the series.
Popular titles included:
- Dog Man: Lord of the Fleas
- Dog Man: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea
- Dog Man and Cat Kid
Teens
“The Cousins” by Karen M. McManus
“Milly, Aubrey and Jonah Story are cousins, but they barely know each other and have never met their grandmother. Rich and reclusive, she disinherited their parents before they were born. When they receive letters inviting them to work at her island resort for the summer, they’re surprised — and curious.” — Goodreads
“The Inheritance Games” by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
“Avery Grambs has a plan for a better future: survive high school, win a scholarship and get out. But her fortunes change in an instant when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne dies and leaves Avery virtually his entire fortune — despite her having no idea who he is.” — Goodreads
“Promise Boys” by Nick Brooks
“A dark academia mystery about three teens of color who must investigate their principal’s murder to clear their own names.” — The StoryGraph
Adults
“The Women” by Kristin Hannah
Set during the Vietnam War, the novel follows one young woman’s experiences both overseas and after returning to the United States. — The Gilmore Guide to Books
“The Frozen River” by Ariel Lawhon
Set in 1789, the novel follows a New England midwife called to investigate the death of a man pulled from the ice. — NPR
“Tell Me Everything” by Elizabeth Strout
Set in Maine, the story centers on town lawyer Bob Burgess, who becomes entangled in a murder case while forging a deep friendship with writer Lucy Barton. — Oprah’s Book Club
Saltwater Books picks
Laura Cooper, owner of Saltwater Books, also shared some of the store’s bestselling titles of 2025.
Adults’ fiction
“My Friends” by Fredrik Backman
“Art really can change your life in this heart-wrenching novel about growing up and growing apart.” — Book of the Month
“Wild Dark Shore” by Charlotte McConaghy
Dominic Salt and his three children care for a remote island near Antarctica that houses the world’s largest seed bank — until a woman mysteriously washes ashore during a devastating storm. — Goodreads
“The Correspondent” by Virginia Evans
Told through letters, the novel traces the life of Sybil Van Antwerp, exploring who she was, who she hoped to be and how her story ends. — Southern Review of Books
“The River Is Waiting” by Wally Lamb
The novel follows Corby Ledbetter, a new father whose life unravels due to addiction, leading to tragedy, imprisonment and a search for redemption.
“Atmosphere” by Taylor Jenkins Reid
An emotional story about two astronauts — the first women in space — and the bond they form along the way. — Book Club Chat
Adults’ nonfiction
“Marriage at Sea” by Sophie Elmhirst
The true survival story of Maurice and Maralyn Bailey, who were shipwrecked in the Pacific Ocean in 1973 and spent 118 days adrift. — The New York Times
“History Matters” by David McCullough
A posthumous collection of essays from the Pulitzer Prize-winning historian examining the enduring value of history. — Simon & Schuster
“The Place of Tides” by James Rebanks
Inspired by a woman Rebanks met on a remote Norwegian island, the book explores solitude, stewardship and connection. — HarperCollins
“1929” by Andrew Ross Sorkin
A retelling of the Great Crash as a cautionary tale of greed, corruption and financial collapse. — Motley Fool
“Abundance” by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson
The authors argue for a new politics built on technological optimism and unlocking existing innovations. — The Guardian
Young adults
“Sunrise on the Reaping” by Suzanne Collins
This second prequel novel to the original “The Hunger Games” trilogy is set 24 years before the events of the first novel and explores the devastating story of Haymitch Abernathy, a mentor in the original “Hunger Games” novels. – NY Times
Children’s picture books
“We Fell Apart” by E. Lockhart
Set days after a devastating fire, the novel follows 18-year-old Matilda Klein as she confronts family secrets. — Goodreads
“The Summer I Turned Pretty” series by Jenny Han
A coming-of-age story centered on first love, heartbreak and enduring friendships. — Geek Therapy
All titles by author-illustrator Sophie Blackall, including Hello Lighthouse and If We Were Dogs.
Early readers and chapter books
- Dog Man series by Dav Pilkey
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney
- Spy School series by Stuart Gibbs
- Wings of Fire series by Tui T. Sutherland
For those enjoying a slower pace between Christmas and New Year — or parents looking to entertain young readers — one of these titles may be the perfect pick.
Abbot Public Library hours:
- Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunday: Closed
- Monday: 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Children’s Room closes at 8 p.m.)
- Tuesday: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Closed Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.
Saltwater Books is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and online at saltwaterbookstore.com.
