Thrillers, self-help titles and the Harry Potter series topped the reading lists of Northern Ireland's library users over the past year, according to data released during Book Week NI. Audiobooks surpassed physical book loans for the first time, with psychological thrillers and personal development guides capturing readers' attention across all formats. According to BBC News, the findings emerge from a 12-month analysis by Libraries NI covering the period from 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2026.
Jillian McFrederick, a spokesperson for Libraries NI, identified a clear pattern in borrowing habits.
Books with "short chapters" and "catchy, racy" themes seemed to be most popular, she explained. The data reveals distinct preferences depending on the medium chosen—audiobooks, physical copies or digital formats—each attracting different reader demographics and genres.
Book Week NI 2026 is underway from 19 to 25 October, marking the 11th year of the joint initiative between BBC Northern Ireland and Libraries NI. The week celebrates reading, libraries and their role in communities across the region. All 96 libraries marked Love Your Library Day on 21 October, reinforcing the importance of these institutions to local readers.
Which audiobooks captured listeners' attention?
Audiobook downloads outpaced physical book loans this year, signalling a significant shift in how people consume literature. Freida McFadden dominated the audiobook charts with eight titles in the top 10 adult fiction selections.
The Housemaid by McFadden was the most listened to, with only Romantasy favourite Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros and The Pumpkin Spiced Café by Laurie Gilmore breaking McFadden's hold on the chart.Since her first publication in 2013, McFadden has released 36 books, establishing herself as a prolific voice in contemporary thriller fiction.
For listeners seeking non-fiction, personal development dominated. Mark Manson's The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*** topped the non-fiction audiobook rankings, followed by Atomic Habits and 101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think. These titles reflect a broader trend toward self-improvement content that McFrederick attributed to contemporary stress and anxiety levels.
Young listeners showed remarkable consistency in their preferences. All seven books in the Harry Potter series secured positions in the top 10 audiobooks for children, nearly three decades after the release of the first novel. Classic titles such as Matilda by Roald Dahl and Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney also featured prominently among junior audiobook borrowers.
How did physical book borrowing compare?
Despite the rise of audiobooks, physical copies remained in strong demand across Northern Ireland's libraries. The Housemaid topped the physical lending charts with more than 3,000 loans, a figure McFrederick linked directly to the film adaptation released in 2025.
The release of the movie adaptation, starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfield in 2025, had brought a whole new audience to McFadden's work.This demonstrates how screen adaptations can drive renewed interest in source material.
Niall Williams' historical fiction novel Time of the Child, set in 1960s Ireland, came close to matching McFadden's performance with only 15 fewer loans than the thriller. Non-fiction borrowers gravitated toward Mel Robbins' The Let Them Theory, which led the category, narrowly ahead of Virginia Roberts Giuffre's Nobody's Girl. The top five non-fiction titles reflected diverse interests, spanning self-improvement to baking, with Mary Berry's recipe collection also securing a position.
For younger readers, A Belfast Fairytale led fiction borrowing with nearly 3,000 loans, while Guinness World Records 2026 dominated the junior non-fiction category. This variety underscores how libraries serve readers across age groups and interests.
What patterns emerged in ebook borrowing?
Ebook users displayed markedly different reading habits compared to audiobook listeners and physical book borrowers. In fiction, Virginia Evans' The Correspondent claimed the top position, attracting readers seeking page-turning narratives. Richard Osman demonstrated particular appeal, with three of his titles securing places in the top 10 ebook fiction rankings. Andy Weir's Project Hail Mary also proved popular, benefiting from a film adaptation released earlier in 2026.
Self-help dominated ebook non-fiction borrowing, with Mel Robbins' The Let Them Theory recording more than 2,000 loans.
The book "struck a chord with people because they're all so stressed and so anxious", McFrederick observed. Other prominent self-help titles included The Psychology of Money and The Courage to be Disliked, indicating sustained reader interest in personal development across digital formats.
Among junior ebook borrowers, the Harry Potter series maintained its grip with more than 1,500 loans in the fiction category. Young readers' non-fiction interests ranged widely, from The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary to Historical Royal Palaces: Ghost in the Walls and 101 Amazing Harry Potter Facts, reflecting the diverse curiosity of younger library users.
What happens next?
Book Week NI continues through Sunday 25 October, with author talks, workshops and family activities scheduled at libraries across the region. These events provide opportunities for readers to engage directly with authors, discover new titles and celebrate the role libraries play in fostering reading communities. The initiative underscores how libraries remain vital cultural institutions, adapting to changing reading habits while maintaining their commitment to serving all ages and interests.
