Canmore Public Library Just Shared Its Most Borrowed Books of 2025

From fantasy novels and book club favourites to travel guides and local history, the Canmore Public Library’s most borrowed titles reveal what residents were reaching for over the past year.

1. Onyx Storm

• Author: Rebecca Yarros

• Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Fiction

This fast-paced fantasy novel continues a popular series centred on dragons, military training and political power. The story follows characters navigating loyalty, survival and personal sacrifice in a high-stakes world shaped by war and shifting alliances.

2. The Shadow of the Gods

• Author: John Gwynne

• Genre: Fantasy, Fiction

Inspired by Norse mythology, this epic fantasy takes place in a brutal world shaped by fallen gods. It follows multiple characters whose lives intersect through revenge, ambition and conflict as ancient forces begin to rise again.

3. At a Loss for Words: Conversation in an Age of Rage

• Author: Carol Off

• Genre: Non-fiction, Politics

This non-fiction book examines how public conversation has changed in recent years. It explores why meaningful discussion has become more difficult and looks at how language, media and polarization influence the way people communicate.

4. Bali, Lombok & Nusa Tenggara 

• Author: Lonely Planet

• Genre: Travel

A travel guide covering Bali and surrounding Indonesian islands, this book offers practical planning advice, cultural background and destination highlights. It includes information on accommodations, transportation, food and local experiences.

5. Tower of Dawn

• Author: Sarah J. Maas

• Genre: Young-adult, Fiction

Part of a bestselling fantasy series, this novel follows a royal figure sent abroad on a diplomatic mission while recovering from past trauma. The story focuses on healing, leadership, cultural exchange and political strategy.

6. You Are Here

• Author: David Nicholls

• Genre: Romance, Humour, Psychological Fiction

This contemporary novel explores relationships, missed connections and the quiet moments that shape people’s lives. It follows characters as they reflect on love, timing and the choices that influence their future.

7. Canmore: The Story of an Era

• Author: Edna Hill Appleby

• Genre: Local History, Non-fiction

This local history book looks at Canmore’s development over time, including its coal mining roots, growth into a mountain town and the people who shaped its identity. It highlights key events, industries and community changes.

8. Lessons in Chemistry 

• Author: Bonnie Garmus

• Genre: Historical Fiction, Humour, Feminist Literature

Set in the 1960s, this novel follows a chemist whose scientific career is limited by gender bias. She unexpectedly becomes the host of a cooking television show, where she challenges social norms and encourages women to think differently about their roles.

9. The Boxcar Librarian

• Author: Brianna Labuskes

• Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

Inspired by real travelling libraries in the United States, this novel follows a woman delivering books to remote communities during the Great Depression. The story explores access to education, resilience and the power of storytelling.

10. The Katharina Code

• Author: Jørn Lier Horst

• Genre: Crime, Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

This Nordic crime novel centres on a decades-old disappearance and the renewed investigation into the case. As detectives revisit old evidence, they uncover long-hidden connections, secrets and motives tied to the mystery.

Canmore locals can reserve any of these books (and more) at the Canmore Public Library.