Thrillers, Self-Help, and Harry Potter Dominate Library Borrowing Trends

Thrillers, self-help books, and the enduring magic of Harry Potter have emerged as the most popular choices for readers borrowing from Libraries NI, according to data released as part of Book Week NI. The figures, covering a 12-month period from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026, highlight a strong preference for audiobooks, though physical book loans and eBooks also show distinct trends.

Freida McFadden's thrillers proved exceptionally popular in the adult fiction audiobook category, with eight of her titles making up the top 10. Jillian McFrederick from Libraries NI noted that books with "short chapters" and "catchy, racy" themes resonate most with listeners. Other popular audiobooks included Rebecca Yarros's "Fourth Wing" and Laurie Gilmore's "The Pumpkin Spiced Café."

Non-fiction audiobooks leaned heavily towards personal development, with Mark Manson's "The Subtle Art of not Giving a ..." leading the pack. "Atomic Habits" and "101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think" also ranked highly.

For younger readers, the Harry Potter series maintained its strong hold, with all seven books featuring in the top 10 audiobooks. "Matilda" by Roald Dahl and "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" by Jeff Kinney were also favorites.

Despite the rise of audiobooks, physical book loans remain significant. McFadden's "The Housemaid" was the most borrowed physical book, with over 3,000 loans. Libraries NI attributed this surge in popularity partly to the upcoming 2025 movie adaptation starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfield. Niall Williams' historical fiction novel "Time of the Child" closely followed.

In non-fiction physical loans, Mel Robbins' "The Let Them Theory" secured the top spot, followed by Virginia Roberts Giuffre's "Nobody's Girl." The broader top five included titles on self-improvement and baking, such as Mary Berry's recipes.

Junior readers favored "A Belfast Fairytale" for fiction, while "Guinness World Records 2026" led non-fiction loans.

Ebook trends showed a division between gripping fiction and self-help. Virginia Evans' "The Correspondent" topped the fiction charts, with Richard Osman having three of his books in the top 10. Andy Weir's "Project Hail Mary" also saw significant interest, boosted by a recent movie adaptation.

Mel Robbins' "The Let Them Theory" also dominated the non-fiction ebook category with over 2,000 loans. McFrederick commented that the book "struck a chord with people because they're all so stressed and so anxious." "The Psychology of Money" and "The Courage to be Disliked" were also popular.

The Harry Potter series continued to captivate young ebook readers, with over 1,500 fiction loans. Junior non-fiction interests included "The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary," "Historical Royal Palaces: Ghost in the Walls," and "101 Amazing Harry Potter Facts."