These books have the longest waitlists at Chicago’s libraries

We’ve all been there—you go to check out a book at the library or on your e-reader, only to discover that every reader within the Chicago city limits had the exact same idea at the exact same time. The title you wanted? On hold. Not just “wait a few days” on hold, but the kind that makes you briefly consider adopting patience as a personality trait.

Some books are simply too popular for the number of copies in circulation, especially if buying your own isn’t part of the plan. So we asked Chicago Public Library which titles currently have the longest waitlists—and they delivered. Among the most in-demand: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, Heart the Lover by Lily King and Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden.

“The CPL Collection Development team monitors holds activity carefully across all formats,” Stephen Sposato, collection development manager at CPL says. “When more stock is needed to support our patrons’ demand, we order it promptly.”

Below is a snapshot of the books with the longest wait times right now. Keep in mind, these lists shift constantly, depending on demand, buzz and whatever everyone’s book club just decided to read. Most titles can be borrowed for three weeks or longer—eventually. 

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The top 10 holds at CPL

Print:

1. The Correspondent: A Novel by Virginia Evans
2. Project Hail Mary: A Novel by Andy Weir
3. Yesteryear: A GMA Book Club Pick: A Novel by Caro Claire Burke
4. Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden
5. Theo of Golden: A Novel by Allen Levi
6. Heart the Lover by Lily King
7. Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
8. Kin by Tayari Jones,
9. Famesick: A Memoir by Lena Dunham
10. The Keeper by Tana French

Digital:

1. Project Hail Mary: A Novel by Andy Weir
2. The Correspondent: A Novel by Virginia Evans
3. Theo of Golden: A Novel by Allen Levi
4. Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden
5. Heart the Lover by Lily King
6. Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
7. My Friends: A Novel by Fredrik Backman
8. Yesteryear: A GMA Book Club Pick: A Novel by Caro Claire Burke
9. The God of the Woods: A Novel by Liz Moore
10. Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid

Ready to explore all that the Chicago Public Library has to offer Chicagoans? Visit chipublib.org to learn more.