Top Checkouts at the Bethel Library in 2025
Bethel readers dove into all kinds of stories this year — from wild landscapes and haunting mysteries to weddings, homecomings, and unforgettable characters. Based on circulation data, these were the most checked-out adult fiction titles of 2025, showing what our community couldn’t get enough of.
Black Woods, Blue Sky by Eowyn Ivey (16 checkouts)
Blending magical realism with gritty wilderness survival, this novel follows Birdie, a single mother in Alaska, whose life becomes entwined with the mysterious Arthur after he rescues her daughter from the woods. Their retreat to a remote cabin promises freedom and self-sufficiency — but the wilderness, and Arthur himself, hold darker truths.
Why readers loved it: evocative landscapes, emotional depth, and a story that feels both mythic and deeply human.
The Wedding People by Alison Espach (16 checkouts)
Phoebe Stone arrives at a Newport wedding intending to quietly end her life — but instead finds herself drawn into the orbit of the wedding guests. What follows is an unexpectedly funny, compassionate, and life-affirming story about connection and second chances.
Why readers loved it: heartfelt, humorous, and ultimately hopeful, with memorable characters and emotional insight.
Welcome Home, Stranger by Kate Christensen (16 checkouts)
After her mother’s death, Rachel returns to her childhood home in Maine and confronts old friendships, family memories, and the question of what it really means to belong. This thoughtful novel explores reinvention and the quiet power of coming home.
Why readers loved it: a gentle but profound homecoming story filled with warmth, reflection, and Maine atmosphere.
All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker (15 checkouts)
A gripping, emotionally charged novel that blends crime, love, and obsession, following characters whose lives are shaped by violence, loyalty, and the search for redemption. This is a dark but deeply human story that lingers long after the final page.
Why readers loved it: suspenseful yet character-driven, with powerful emotional payoff.
Bear by Julia Phillips (15 checkouts)
Set in the Pacific Northwest, Bear follows sisters Sam and Elena, who live a quiet, constrained life caring for their ill mother. When a bear begins appearing near their home, it becomes a powerful symbol of escape, danger, and the pull of something wild just beyond their reach.
Why readers loved it: tense, atmospheric, and deeply emotional, with a slow-burn sense of unease and beautifully drawn sibling dynamics.
The Cliffs by J. Courtney Sullivan (15 checkouts)
Jane Flanagan returns to her late mother’s home in Maine and begins uncovering the layered history of the house and the women who lived there before her. A multi-generational story of memory, loss, and legacy unfolds.
Why readers loved it: atmospheric, emotionally rich, and ideal for fans of generational and place-based fiction.
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon (15 checkouts)
Set in 18th-century Maine, this historical novel follows midwife Martha Ballard as she investigates a suspicious death discovered in the frozen Kennebec River. Inspired by real historical records, the novel blends mystery with vivid historical detail.
Why readers loved it: immersive setting, strong historical voice, and a compelling mystery rooted in real history.
Three Days in June by Anne Tyler (15 checkouts)
Told over the course of a wedding weekend, this warm and witty novel centers on Gail, the mother of the bride, as she navigates family tensions, surprises, and reflections on love and marriage.
Why readers loved it: short, satisfying, and full of heart — a perfect example of Anne Tyler’s gift for finding meaning in everyday moments.
This year’s most-checked-out fiction reflects Bethel readers’ love for strong characters, emotional depth, and vivid settings — especially stories rooted in place and personal transformation. Looking for your next great read? Stop by the library or place a hold on one of these community favorites!