Check Out: What Montgomery County Reads

Montgomery County residents love our libraries and a good read. According to Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) residents borrowed over 9 million books (physical or e-book) in 2012. Just what are we all reading? We reached out to MCPL to find out. Collection Management Manager Mary Louise Daneri had the answers.

Take a look at MCPL’s Report to the Community 2012 to learn more.

For the month of September, the most read books by genre are:

Juvenile Fiction
Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Dog Days – Jeff Kinney
Summary: Boys don’t keep diaries-or do they? The launch of an exciting and innovatively illustrated new series narrated by an unforgettable kid every family can relate to It’s a new school year, and Greg Heffley finds himself thrust into middle school, where undersized weaklings share the hallways with kids who are taller, meaner, and already shaving. The hazards of growing up before you’re ready are uniquely revealed through words and drawings as Greg records them in his diary. In book one of this debut series, Greg is happy to have Rowley, his sidekick, along for the ride. But when Rowley’s star starts to rise, Greg tries to use his best friend’s newfound popularity to his own advantage, kicking off a chain of events that will test their friendship in hilarious fashion. Author/illustrator Jeff Kinney recalls the growing pains of school life and introduces a new kind of hero who epitomizes the challenges of being a kid. As Greg says in his diary, “Just don’t expect me to be all ‘Dear Diary’ this and ‘Dear Diary’ that.” Luckily for us, what Greg Heffley says he won’t do and what he actually does are two very different things. Since its launch in May 2004 on Funbrain.com, the Web version of Diary of a Wimpy Kid has been viewed by 20 million unique online readers. This year, it is averaging 70,000 readers a day. F&P level: T

Tales From a Not-So-Popular Party Girl (Dork Diaries) – Rachel Russell
Summary: Recipe for disaster: 4 parties. Add 2 friends and 1 crush. Divide by 1 mean girl out to RUIN Nikki. Mix well, put fingers over eyes, and CRINGE! Settled in at her new school and flanked by awesome friends Chloe and Zoey, life is looking up for Nikki Maxwell, especially since her crush, Brandon, asked her to be his lab partner–a seriously awesome development. However, when Nikki overhears mean girl Mackenzie bragging that Brandon’s taking her to the Halloween dance, a bummed Nikki signs on to spend Halloween at a kids’ party with her little sister, Brianna, instead. After she finds out Mackenzie was lying and her dream of going to the party with Brandon could be a reality, Nikki has two events to juggle . . . plus plenty of other entertaining trials and tribulations along the way! www.dorkdiaries.com

Wonder – R.J. Palacio
Summary: I won’t describe what I look like. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse. August Pullman was born with a facial deformity that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid–but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. WONDER , now a #1 New York Times bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance. In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope. R.J. Palacio has called her debut novel “a meditation on kindness” –indeed, every reader will come away with a greater appreciation for the simple courage of friendship. Auggie is a hero to root for, a diamond in the rough who proves that you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out. Join the conversation: #thewonderofwonder

Titan’s Curse – Rick Riordan
Summary: When the goddess Artemis goes missing, she is believed to have been kidnapped. And now it’s up to Percy and his friends to find out what happened. Who is powerful enough to kidnap a goddess? They must find Artemis before the winter solstice, when her influence on the Olympian Council could swing an important vote on the war with the titans. Not only that, but first Percy will have to solve the mystery of a rare monster that Artemis was hunting when she disappeared-a monster rumored to be so powerful it could destroy Olympus forever.

The Sea of Monsters – Rick Riordan
Summary: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book Two: Sea of Monsters, The

Juvenile NonFiction
Garfield/Calvin & Hobbes/Tin Tin cartoon books

Car Crazy (J629.2 Gif) – Clive Gifford
Abstract: Discusses and displays various types of vehicles including race cars, hot rods, monster trucks, motorcycles and other cars, both new and historical.

Top Dog Choosing Your Pefect Breed – Kim Dennis-Bryan
Abstract: “This superbly illustrated new handbook is essential reading for anyone thinking about buying a dog. Top dog offers an extensive catalog describing more than 420 dogs from around the world, including all the breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club. Beautiful color photographs highlight the key identifying features of each breed and vividly capture the dog’s character. An accompanying text profile explains the breed’s origins and looks at its suitability as a home companion. There is also quick-reference data on each dog’s size, color, grooming requirements, temperament, and training.”–Publisher

National Geographic Little Kid’s First Big Book of Dinosaurs (J567.9 Hug) – Catherine Hughes
Abstract: This book provides pictures and brief facts about a variety of different kinds of dinosaurs.

Young Adult
Mockingjay – Suzanne Collins
Abstract: Katniss Everdeen’s having survived the Hunter games twice makes her a target of the Capitol and President Snow, as well as a hero to the rebels who will succeed only if Katniss is willing to put aside her personal feelings and serve as their pawn.

Graphic novels

Adult Fiction

Never Go Back: a Jack Reacher Novel – Lee Child
Abstract: “Never go back–but Jack Reacher does, and the past finally catches up with him. Never Go Back is #1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Child’s new novel of action-charged suspense starring “one of the best thriller characters at work today” (Newsweek). Former military cop Jack Reacher makes it all the way from snowbound South Dakota to his destination in northeastern Virginia, near Washington, D.C.: the headquarters of his old unit, the 110th MP. The old stone building is the closest thing to a home he ever had. Reacher is there to meet–in person–the new commanding officer, Major Susan Turner, so far just a warm, intriguing voice on the phone. But it isn’t Turner behind the CO’s desk. And Reacher is hit with two pieces of shocking news, one with serious criminal consequences, and one too personal to even think about. When threatened, you can run or fight. Reacher fights, aiming to find Turner and clear his name, barely a step ahead of the army, and the FBI, and the D.C. Metro police, and four unidentified thugs. Combining an intricate puzzle of a plot and an exciting chase for truth and justice, Lee Child puts Reacher through his paces–and makes him question who he is, what he’s done, and the very future of his untethered life on the open road. Praise for #1 bestselling author Lee Child and his Jack Reacher series “Child is a superb craftsman of suspense.”–Entertainment Weekly “The truth about Reacher gets better and better.”–Janet Maslin, The New York Times”– Provided by publisher.

Cuckoo’s Calling – Robert Galbraith
Abstract: Working as a private investigator after losing his leg in Afghanistan, Cormoran Strike takes the case of a legendary supermodel’s suspicious suicide and finds himself in a world of multi-millionaire beauties, rock star boyfriends, desperate designers, and hedonist pursuits.

The Burgess Boys – Elizabeth Strout
Abstract: Catalyzed by a nephew’s thoughtless prank, a pair of brothers confront painful psychological issues surrounding the freak accident that killed their father when they were boys, a loss linked to a heartbreaking deception that shaped their personal and professional lives.

The English Girl – Daniel Silva
Abstract: When a young British woman vanishes on the island of Corsica, a prime minister’s career is threatened with destruction. Gabriel Allon, master art restorer, spy, and assassin, is thrust into a game of shadows where nothing is what it seems, and the only thing more dangerous than his enemies might be the truth.