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LGMA reveals most borrowed books of 2018

Details of the 20 books and authors borrowed most often from Irish public libraries in 2018 have been published by the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), which compiles the information as part of the Public Lending Remuneration (PLR) Scheme.

All 20 of the most borrowed titles were children’s books, with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling topping the list. Meanwhile, 19 of the 20 most borrowed authors in 2018 were children’s authors, with only James Patterson bucking the trend to make the list.

James Patterson topped the list of the 20 most popular authors from the adult books collection, while Irish author, Mike McCormack’s Solar Bones was the most borrowed adult book in 2018. Four of the top five most borrowed books for adults in 2018 are by Irish authors: Mike McCormack, Graham Norton, Liz Nugent and Marian Keyes.

A number of titles included in the adult top 20 are from the ‘Healthy Ireland at Your Library’ collection, which is available in all public libraries to support the Government Initiative to improve health and wellbeing.

Tom Enright, Chair of the National Libraries Development Committee said, “Encouraging children to read for enjoyment and learning is central to Our Public Libraries 2022, the national Public Library Strategy, so I am very encouraged to see so many children’s books and authors on the list.”

“The Irish public library collection has over 12 million items available to you completely free, and we are inviting everybody, young and old, to explore what’s on offer,” Tom Enright said.

“Whether you want to come in to your library to browse for a book, use the internet, make use of digital equipment, enjoy the community space and wide range of activities, or you would prefer to download an audiobook, eBook, or online newspaper or magazine from your own home, it is all open to you completely free with your library membership,” Tom Enright concluded.

 

Top 20 Authors Borrowed in Irish Public Libraries 2018

1
Roderick Hunt

2
Roger Hargreaves

3
Daisy Meadows

4
Francesca Simon

5
Julia Donaldson

6
James Patterson

7
Enid Blyton

8
Roald Dahl

9
Jacqueline Wilson

10
Dorling Kindersley (Publisher)

11
David Walliams

12
Jeff Kinney

13
Michael Morpurgo

14
Adam Blade

15
J.K. Rowling

16
Dav Pilkey

17
Holly Webb

18
Liz Pichon

19
Rachel Renee Russell

20
Dr Seuss
 

Top 20 Books Borrowed in Irish Public Libraries 2018

1
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone 
J.K. Rowling

2
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School 
Jeff Kinney

3
The BFG 
Roald Dahl

4
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 
J.K. Rowling

5
Harry Potter and the prisoner of Azkaban 
J.K. Rowling

6
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Double Down
Jeff Kinney

7
Awful Auntie
David Walliams

8
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck
Jeff Kinney

9
Wonder 
R.J. Palacio

10
James and the Giant Peach 
Roald Dahl

11
Ratburger 
David Walliams

12
Matilda 
Roald Dahl

13
The world's Worst Children 
David Walliams

14
Gangsta Granny 
David Walliams

15
Fantastic Mr Fox 
Roald Dahl

16
Demon Dentist 
David Walliams

17
Diary of a Wimpy: The Third Wheel
Jeff Kinney

18
Grandpa's Great Escape 
David Walliams

19
Diary of a Wimpy Kid:  Cabin Fever
Jeff Kinney

20
Under the Hawthorn Tree
Marita Conlon-McKenna
 

 

Adult books - Top 20 Authors Borrowed in Irish Public Libraries 2018

James Patterson 
Nora Roberts 
Danielle Steel 
Lee Child 
Anthony Horowitz 
John Grisham 
David Baldacci 
Michael Connelly 
John Boyne 
Sheila OFlanagan 
Emma Hannigan 
Roddy Doyle
Jo Nesbo
Harlan Coben
Clive Gifford
Jojo Moyes
John Connolly
Susan Lewis 
Stephen King 
Cathy Kelly
 

Adult Books - Top 20 Books Borrowed in Irish Public Libraries 2018

 
Solar Bones 
Mike McCormack
 
Holding 
Graham Norton
 
Lying in Wait 
Liz Nugent
 
Guinness World Records 2018
Guinness World Records 2018
 
The Break
Marian Keyes
 
The Midnight Line: (Jack Reacher 22)
Lee Child
 
Woman in the Window
A J Finn
 
The Long Gaze Back: An Anthology of Irish Women Writers 
Edited by Sinead Gleeson
 
Skin Deep
Liz Nugent
 
The plan 
Aoife Hearne
 
Night School: (Jack Reacher 21) 
Lee Child
 
The couple next door 
Shari Lapena
 
All the Light We Cannot See 
Anthony Doerr
 
Karl Henry's Healthy Living Handbook
Karl Henry
 
Driver Theory Test
Road Safety Authority
 
The Wrong Side of Goodbye 
Michael Connelly
 
Days Without End 
Sebastian Barry
 
Mindful Walking: Walk Your Way to Mental and Physical Well-Being
Hugh O’Donovan
 
The Whistler
John Grisham
 
Smile
Roddy Doyle