After Mamdani’s recommendation, downloads of Heated Rivalry at NY’s public library jump by 529%
“Take advantage of our public library’s offer of free access to Heated Rivalry on e‑book or audiobook,” Mamdani said
New York City is experiencing an unexpected cultural surge as library card applications and e-book downloads spiked following a suggestion from Mayor Zohran Mamdani to read Heated Rivalry during a major snowstorm sweeping the city.
As the city was hit with significant snowfall that made travel hazardous, Mamdani took a light‑hearted but pointed approach to public safety by suggesting indoor reading as an alternative to venturing out. During a press conference addressing the storm’s impact, he said: “The snow is coming down heavily across our city, and I can think of no better excuse for New Yorkers to stay home, take a long nap, or take advantage of our public library’s offer of free access to Heated Rivalry on e‑book or audiobook for anyone with a library card.”
The response was swift. The New York Public Library reported that e-book and audiobook downloads of Heated Rivalry surged by 529% in the days following the mayor’s comments, with thousands of new readers logging on to access the title. Chief librarian Brian Bannon noted that library card applications more than doubled compared with the same period last year as people signed up specifically to take advantage of the digital offer.
Heated Rivalry, written by Rachel Reid and part of her Game Changers series, tells the story of two rival professional hockey players whose secret romance captured mainstream attention after the TV adaptation became a cultural phenomenon. The book’s popularity had already overwhelmed traditional wait lists, but unlimited access through the library’s digital platforms allowed readers immediate entry.
Mayor Mamdani’s light-hearted but effective recommendation came during a routine snowstorm press briefing where he encouraged residents to stay safe and entertained inside rather than risk travel. His endorsement of a romance novel as a winter activity sparked amusement and widespread participation across boroughs, encouraging not only reading but also awareness of public library resources.
Library officials said the digital promotion — running through Valentine’s Day — has given a boost to interest in both the Game Changers series and the city’s library system as a whole, highlighting the role of public libraries as community hubs and cultural access points.
