What are the most popular ebooks in the public library from 2018 to 2019 in the United Kingdom? Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman has been revealed as the UKs most borrowed ebook. This was followed by Sally Rooneys Normal People, Circe by Madeleine Miller and Adam Kays This is Going to Hurt. Other ebooks in the top 10 include Origin by Dan Brown, Still Me by Jojo Moyes, and Into the Water by Paula Hawkins.
Continuing the trend of previous years, the list of most borrowed print titles is dominated by thrillers, with James Patterson taking the title of most borrowed author for the thirteenth year running, a statement from British Library said.
“It is brilliant that, thanks to digital services, so many people can still engage with their local library and enjoy the nation”s most popular titles. E-books are a fantastic way to entertain and educate, especially as we spend more time at home,” UK Culture Minister Caroline Dinenage said in a statement.
The release coincides with a remarkable surge in ebook borrowing from public libraries as physical spaces remain closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last month, Libraries Connected had estimated a 358% increase in the number of people borrowing e-books during the first three weeks of lock-down in England.
Michael Kozlowski is the editor of the Good e-Reader News Publication and the Good e-Reader Bookstore. He has been chronicling the e-reader and publishing industry since 2007, the year the Kindle was first released. His stories have been picked up by the New York Times, Washington Post and various online news sites.