In celebration of Castle Hill Library's 20th birthday, let's take a look into the past to see the most popular books borrowed each year since 2004.
Castle Hill Library brings together an amazing array of resources, events for everyone to enjoy, and a treasure trove of fantastic books to explore.
Since 2004, booklovers have been flocking to Castle Hill Library to discover new and old reads from all over the world.
2004
The Return of the King by J. R.R. Tolkien (1955)
2004 was a huge year for Lord of the Rings fans, many of whom ran to Castle Hill Library to get their hands on the third and final volume of the series after the movie hit the cinemas in late 2003. The epic high fantasy adventure follows the heroic quest to destroy One Ring at whatever cost. Tolkien's mythological Shire was deeply loved by those in The Hills Shire.
2005
Deception by Claire Lorrimer (2003)
This year, readers were captivated by the looming threat of aristocrat Charlotte Wyndham's past returning to haunt her and ruin her romance. How much longer can Charlotte Wyndham's idyllic life in Victorian England's nobility last before the horrors of her family's past return?
2006
The Olive Sisters by Amanda Hampson (2005)
In 2006, romance-lovers and history lovers fell head over heels for Andrienne Bennett's story. After she retreats from the city to her grandparents beautiful, abandoned olive grove, old loves and new loves transpire together in this timeless tale of love.
2007
The Last White Knight by Tami Hoag (1992)
This classic story of powerful love and surrender became a fan favourite in 2007. When a young woman determined to help the troubled girls of Horizon House is met with unfriendly publicity, she doesn't believe that a good senator is here to help.
2008
Sizzle and Burn by Jayne Ann Krentz (2008)
With its mesmerising witches, unsolved mysteries, and thrilling intimacy, it is no wonder Sizzle and Burn was 2008's most popular book at Castle Hill Library. When Raine is forced to work alongside an investigator with paranormal abilities just like her, the two of them must come together to solve a horrifying crime.
2009
Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich (2008)
This thrilling and hilarious book had readers checking under their beds for spooky creatures. Beloved author Janet Evanovich returns with Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum who partners up with Diesel to hunt down villain Wulf Grimoire and boy genius Martin Munch.
2010
Worst Case by James Patterson (2010)
The new instalment in the Detective Michael Bennett series had readers absolutely ensnared in James Patterson's mystery in 2010. From the shocking first page to the last exhilarating scene, the non-stop thriller is utterly gripping from cover to cover.
2011
Indulgence in Death by Nora Roberts (2010)
Castle Hill Library's love of crime fiction continues into 2011 with Nora Robert's adrenaline-raising, fast-paced novel which had readers squirming. Detective Eve Dallas must chase down the random hits, thrill kills, and murderers with a tase for the finer things in life.
2012
Private Games by James Patterson (2012)
Set during the splendour and emotion of the 2012 London Olympic Games, a crazed former athlete starts a murder spree, and Private investigator Peter Knight is called to the scene. James Patterson has done it again, and lands himself back on the most popular list with his exhilarating, suspenseful writing.
2013
A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy (2012)
This is the last book Maeve Binchy wrote before her sudden death, leaving her trademark warmth, humour, and kindness in her characters which makes her books live on. When Chicky Starr decides to turn an old, decaying Irish mansion into a holiday house, she encounters an array of strange but fascinating people.
2014
Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts (2013)
This year, readers were obsessed with the passion, humour, and heart of Nora Roberts novel about two people opening up to the truth. The old Bluff House at Whiskey Beach becomes a place where the two unlikely lives of Boston lawyer Eli and resident housekeeper Abra become impossibly entangled.
2015
Personal by Lee Child (2014)
The pulse-racing, exhilarating adventure of Jack Reacher returns as the 19th in the series. 2015 saw the stakes get even higher for former Military Police officer, because this time, its personal.
2016
The Obsession by Nora Roberts (2016)
For the third time, Nora Roberts lands herself back on the Castle Hill Library's most popular list for her suspenseful, nail-bitting thriller. For Naomi Bowes living with her father's past crimes, she learns that the past is never more than a nightmare away.
2017
Night School by Lee Child (2016)
In 2017, Lee Child lovers ran back to the Castle Hill Library to get a copy of his newest thriller. This time, in the 21st Jack Reacher book, Reacher is back in his army days, and must carry the fate of the world on his shoulders.
2018
Still Me by Jojo Moyes (2018)
Beloved heroine Lousia Clark from Me Before You and Me After You returned in 2018. Trying to navigate her new life in New York's high society, she is forced to ask herself who she really is and to dig deep and find the courage to follow her heart.
2019
Past Tense by Lee Child (2018)
The 23rd Jack Reacher novel was the most popular book at the library in 2019, no doubt for its electrifying and gripping adventure. Family secrets come to haunt Jack Reacher as he learns the present can be tough, but the past can be just as tense and even more deadly.
2020
Blue Moon by Lee Child (2019)
The 24th book in the Jack Reacher series and the last to be written by Lee Child alone had crime-lovers absolutely captivated in 2020. COVID-19 lockdown had readers reaching for their favourite books, many ensnared by Jack Reacher's bloodiest adventure yet.
2021
The Survivors by Jane Harper (2020)
Jane Haper's highly anticipated fourth novel was loved by readers at Castle Hill Library for its mystery, thrill, and suspense. On the rugged Tasmanian coast, deeply buried secrets which never washed away threaten to resurface.
2022
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens (2018)
This year, when the Where the Crawdads Sing film hit the movie screens, so too did readers hit the library. The profound coming-of-age story of Kya, the Marsh Girl, breathtakingly blends haunting mystery, romance, and the natural world.
2023
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (2022)
This loud-out-loud funny, shrewdly observant novel follows chemist Elizabeth Zott who falls in love with fellow researcher Calin Evans. But her life like science is unpredictable, and she must learn to live with all life throws at her.
To read any of these favourites and many more, visit the Castle Hill Library or browse the library catalogue at www.thehills.nsw.gov.au/library
