Beloved children’s authors including Julia Donaldson, David Walliams, Francesca Simon and Roald Dahl feature strongly in the latest figures revealing book and audio book loans from UK public libraries, compiled and published by Public Lending Right (PLR).

Even of the top ten authors on the national list write for children – highlighting the crucial role public libraries play in supporting early years reading and literacy.

Thriller writers are also perennial favourites, with US writer James Patterson topping the chart of most borrowed authors for the twelfth year running, and thrillers featuring heavily in the top ten most borrowed titles.

Top 10 most borrowed titles 1 July 2017 – 30 June 2018

1. Night School (Jack Reacher) by Lee Child
2. The Whistler by John Grisham
3. The Wrong side of Goodbye by Michael Connelly
4. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School by Jeff Kinney
5. The Late show by Michael Connelly
6. Camino Island by John Grisham
7. Rather Be the Devil by Ian Rankin
8. The Fix by David Baldacci
9. The Thirst: Harry Hole 11 by Jo Nesbo
10. The Midnight Line (Jack Reacher) by Lee Child

The figures also reveal some regional trends. In London, books by Margaret Atwood, Naomi Alderman and Zadie Smith feature among the Top 20 most borrowed, while in Scotland, Ian Rankin’s Inspector Rebus series remains a popular choice for library borrowers, as well as autobiographies from home-grown talent such as Judy Murray and Sir Alex Ferguson.

For further information read the full article: https://www.bl.uk/press-releases/2019/august/plr-figures