Every year we release data revealing the most popular authors and titles borrowed from UK public libraries.

Most popular authors and titles

PLR’s ‘most borrowed’ lists are based on loans data collected from a sample of UK public libraries between 1 July and 30 June each year. A grossing-up calculation is then applied at the end of the reporting year to provide a national estimate.

These lists are entirely separate from the calculation of PLR earnings for eligible contributors so include both registered and non-registered contributors.

CLICK HERE to view the full list including top adult and children’s authors, top children’s titles and top titles by print, audiobook and eBook.  A quick snapshot is provided below: 

Top 10 authors for PLR year 2021/22

1) Julia Donaldson

2) James Patterson

3) Daisy Meadows

4) David Walliams

5) Lee Child

6) Jeff Kinney

7) Ann Cleeves

8) Roald Dahl

9) David Baldacci

10) Adam Blade

(Browse the most borrowed authors archive.)

Top 10 titles for PLR year 2021/22

1) The Thursday Murder Club - Richard Osman

2) The Man Who Died Twice - Richard Osman

3) The Midnight Library - Matt Haig

4) The Sentinel - Lee Child

5) The Darkest Evening - Ann Cleeves

6) The Long Call - Ann Cleeves

7) Harry Potter and the philosopher's stone - J K Rowling

8) The Heron's Cry - Ann Cleeves

9) Shuggie Bain - Douglas Stuart

10) Trust Me - T. M. Logan

Browse the most borrowed titles archive.

Information on the most borrowed authors and books in Irish public libraries can be found on the Irish PLR website