2008/09 data

Top 250 most borrowed books from UK libraries

Find out which authors are the most popular in Britain's libraries
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James Patterson
Most borrowed author James Patterson photographed by Rankin for RandomHouse

Do you know much about James Patterson? If so, you may be one of the many who have propelled the American thriller writer to the top of the UK's lending library chart.

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As Charlotte Higgins writes today, Catherine Cookson, for years the most ­borrowed writer, has been comprehensively overshadowed by the giants of American popular fiction.

Cookson is still the 10th most borrowed author of the decade – largely due to the "astronomical" ­numbers in which her books were borrowed in the first half of the noughties, according to Jim Parker, the registrar of the Public Lending Right (PLR).

The top three adult authors for July 2008-June 2009 were all Americans: the thriller writer James ­Patterson, followed by the romantic novelists Nora Roberts and Danielle Steele. "She has fallen away completely," said Parker of Cookson. "It's partly down to the fact that when you stop producing books, you tend to fade away." Cookson died in 1998.

Thanks to the PLR, we have the full list for you - the top 250 most borrowed books from the UK's libraries for 2008/09. Can you do anything with the data?

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Data summary

UK's most borrowed books, 2008/09

Click heading to sort
RANK
TITLE
CONTRIBUTOR
PUBLISHER
YEAR

SOURCE: PLR
1 Sail James Patterson Century 2008
2 No time for goodbye Linwood Barclay Orion 2008
3 7th heaven James Patterson with Maxine Paetro Century 2008
4 You've been warned James Patterson and Howard Roughan Headline 2007
5 The outcast Sadie Jones Chatto & Windus 2008
6 Nothing to lose Lee Child Bantam 2008
7 The front by Patricia Cornwell Little Brown 2008
8 Hold tight Harlan Coben Orion 2008
9 The appeal John Grisham Century 2008
10 Friday nights Joanna Trollope Bloomsbury 2008
11 The house at Riverton Kate Morton Pan 2007
12 Horrid Henry and the football fiend Francesca Simon ; illustrated by Tony Ross Orion Children's 2006
13 Exit music Ian Rankin Orion 2007
14 The quickie James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge Headline 2007
15 Doors open Ian Rankin Orion 2008
16 Rogue Danielle Steel Bantam 2008
17 Devil bones Kathy Reichs William Heinemann 2008
18 The pirate's daughter Margaret Cezair-Thompson Headline Review 2008
19 East of the Sun Julia Gregson Orion 2008
20 A thousand splendid suns Khaled Hosseini Bloomsbury 2007
21 This year it will be different Maeve Binchy Orion 2007
22 Book of the Dead Patricia Cornwell Little Brown 2006
23 Fractured Karin Slaughter Century 2008
24 Cross Country by James Patterson Century 2008
25 Heart and soul Maeve Binchy Orion 2008
26 Songbird. Josephine Cox HarperCollins 2008
27 Double cross James Patterson Headline 2007
28 Rough justice by Jack Higgins HarperCollins 2008
29 Horrid Henry and the abominable snowman Francesca Simon ; illustrated by Tony Ross Orion Children's 2007
30 The 6th target James Patterson and Maxine Paetro Headline 2007
31 Down river John Hart John Murray 2008
32 The private patient PD James Faber & Faber 2008
33 The bone garden Tess Gerritsen Bantam 2007
34 Aliens love underpants! Claire Freedman and Ben Cort Simon & Schuster Children 2007
35 The overlook Michael Connelly Orion 2007
36 The broken window Jeffery Deaver Hodder & Stoughton 2008
37 The island Victoria Hislop Review 2006
38 A darker domain by Val McDermid HarperCollins 2008
39 The resurrectionist James Bradley Faber 2008
40 Found wanting Robert Goddard Bantam Press 2008
41 My sister Jodie Jacqueline Wilson ; illustrated by Nick Sharratt Doubleday 2008
42 Sundays at Tiffany's James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet Century 2008
43 Step on a crack James Patterson ; with Michael Ledwidge Headline 2007
44 The brass verdict Michael Connelly Orion 2008
45 A cure for all diseases Reginald Hill HarperCollins 2008
46 Honour thyself Danielle Steel Bantam Press 2008
47 Wedding Season Katie Fforde Century 2008
48 Notes from an exhibition Patrick Gale Harper Perennial 2008
49 This charming man Marian Keys Michael Joseph 2008
50 Compulsion by Jonathan Kellerman Michael Joseph 2008
51 Plague ship Clive Cussler with Jack du Brul Michael Joseph 2008
52 Careless in red Elizabeth George Hodder & Stoughton 2008
53 A prisoner of birth Jeffrey Archer Macmillan 2008
54 The business Martina Cole Headline 2008
55 Lessons in heartbreak Cathy Kelly HarperCollins 2008
56 Gypsy Lesley Pearse Michael Joseph 2008
57 Not in the flesh Ruth Rendell Hutchinson 2007
58 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows J.K. Rowling Bloomsbury Publishing PLC 2007
59 The memory keeper's daughter Kim Edwards Viking 2007
60 Remember me? Sophie Kinsella Bantam 2008
61 The return Victoria Hislop Headline Review 2008
62 Horrid Henry meets the Queen Francesca Simon ; illustrated by Tony Ross Orion 2004
63 Timebomb Gerald Seymour Bantam 2008
64 All the colours of darkness Peter Robinson Hodder & Stoughton 2008
65 Random acts of heroic love Danny Scheinmann Black Swan 2008
66 In the dark Mark Billingham Little Brown 2008
67 Bones to ashes Kathy Reichs William Heinemann 2007
68 The Navigator Clive Cussler with Paul Kemprecos Michael Joseph 2007
69 Folly Alan Titchmarsh Hodder & Stoughton 2008
70 The Other Side of the Bridge Mary Lawson Vintage 2007
71 A quiet belief in angels RJ Ellory Orion 2008
72 Portobello by Ruth Rendell Hutchinson 2008
73 Cross James Patterson Headline 2006
74 Change of heart Jodi Picoult Hodder & Stoughton 2008
75 Judge and jury James Patterson with Andrew Gross Headline 2006
76 The private lives of Pippa Lee Rebecca Miller Canongate 2008
77 Horrid Henry and the bogey babysitter Francesca Simon: ill Tony Ross Dolphin 2002
78 Scarpetta Patricia Cornwell Little Brown 2008
79 Horrid Henry's underpants Francesca Simon: ill Tony Ross Dolphin 2003
80 Playing for pizza John Grisham Century 2007
81 At risk Patricia Cornwell Little Brown 2006
82 The killing ground Jack Higgins HarperCollins 2007
83 The Savage Garden Mark Mills HarperCollins Publishers 2007
84 Bad luck and trouble Lee Child Bantam 2007
85 The whole truth by David Baldacci Pan Macmillan 2008
86 The Welsh girl Peter Ho Davies Sceptre 2008
87 Azincourt by Bernard Cornwell HarperCollins 2008
88 Firefight Chris Ryan Century 2008
89 A step too far Meg Hutchinson Hodder & Stoughton 2008
90 Run for your life by James Patterson Century 2009
91 Horrid Henry robs the bank Francesca Simon ; illustrated by Tony Ross Orion Children's 2008
92 The other queen Philippa Gregory HarperCollins 2008
93 Silks Dick Francis and Felix Francis Michael Joseph 2008
94 Horrid Henry and the mega-mean time machine Francesca Simon ; illustrated by Tony Ross Dolphin 2005
95 Name to a face Robert Goddard Bantam 2007
96 Fearless fourteen Janet Evanovich Headline Review 2008
97 Mary, Mary James Patterson Headline 2005
98 Tribute Nora Roberts Piatkus 2008
99 Horrid Henry and other stories Francesca Simon: + ill David Pace Orion Children's 1995
100 The loner Josephine Cox HarperCollins 2007
101 Faces Martina Cole Headline 2007
102 Where are you now? Mary Higgins Clark Simon & Schuster 2008
103 Addition Toni Jordan Hodder & Stoughton Genera 2008
104 The forgotten garden Kate Morton Pan 2008
105 Beneath the bleeding Val McDermid HarperCollins 2007
106 Amazing grace Danielle Steel Bantam Press 2007
107 Being Elizabeth by Barbara Taylor Bradford HarperCollins 2008
108 Sunshine and shadows Katie Flynn Arrow 2008
109 Until it's over Nicci French Michael Joseph 2007
110 A good woman by Danielle Steel Bantam 2008
111 The roar of the butterflies Reginald Hill HarperCollins 2008
112 Such sweet sorrow Katie Flynn Arrow Books 2008
113 The spook's apprentice Joseph Delaney Red Fox 2005
114 Arctic drift Clive Cussler and Cussler Michael Joseph 2008
115 Gruffalo Julia Donaldson ; illustrated by Axel Scheffler Macmillan Children's 1999
116 Horrid Henry gets rich quick Francesca Simon ; illustrated by Tony Ross Orion 2005
117 Step on a Crack James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge Headline Publishing Group 2008
118 A thousand splendid suns Khaled Hosseini Bloomsbury 2007
119 The Rose of Sebastopol Katharine McMahon Orion Publishing Co 2007
120 Half of a yellow sun Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Harper Perennial 2007
121 The chase Clive Cussler Michael Joseph 2007
122 Horrid Henry's Christmas cracker Francesca Simon ; illustrated by Tony Ross Orion Children's 2006
123 Horrid Henry's revenge Francesca Simon: ill Tony Ross Dolphin 2001
124 The miracle at Speedy Motors Alexander McCall Smith Little Brown 2008
125 The naming of the dead Ian Rankin Orion 2006
126 The final reckoning by Sam Bourne Harper 2008
127 When will there be good news? Kate Atkinson Black Swan 2009
128 Horrid Henry and the mummy's curse Francesca Simon ; illustrated by Tony Ross Orion 2004
129 Brute force Andy McNab Bantam 2008
130 The loner Josephine Cox Harper Collins 2007
131 Deadly intent Lynda La Plante Simon & Schuster 2008
132 T is for trespass Sue Grafton Macmillan 2008
133 Whitethorn Woods Maeve Binchy Orion 2006
134 The ghost Robert Harris Hutchinson 2007
135 The beach house Jane Green Michael Joseph 2008
136 Friend of the devil Peter Robinson Hodder & Stoughton 2007
137 Salmon Fishing in the Yemen Torday, Paul Orion Publishing Co 2007
138 The chameleon's shadow Minette Walters Macmillan 2007
139 The way we were Marcia Willett Bantam 2008
140 Horrid Henry's stinkbomb Francesca Simon ; illustrated by Tony Ross Orion Children's 2003
141 The hard way Lee Child Bantam 2006
142 Maisy, Charley and the wobbly tooth by Lucy Cousins Walker 2006
143 The best of fathers Anne Baker Headline 2008
144 Love & Dr Devon Alan Titchmarsh Simon & Schuster 2006
145 Then We Came to the End Joshua Ferris Penguin Books Ltd 2008
146 Unforgotten Clare Francis Pan Macmillan 2008
147 The Gruffalo's child Julia Donaldson ; illustrated by Axel Scheffler Macmillan Children's Boo> 2005
148 The sleeping doll Jeffery Deaver Hodder & Stoughton 2007
149 Journey's end Josephine Cox HarperCollins 2006
150 Playing for pizza John Grisham Arrow 2008
151 Yesterday's girl Anna Jacobs Hodder & Stoughton 2008
152 Freedom's land Anna Jacobs Hodder & Stoughton 2008
153 Mister Pip Lloyd Jones John Murray 2008
154 The quickie James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge Headline 2008
155 Heirs of Ravenscar Barbara Taylor Bradford HarperCollins 2007
156 The interpretation of murder Jed Rubenfeld Headline Review 2007
157 Clean cut Lynda La Plante Pocket 2008
158 Getting rid of Matthew Jane Fallon Michael Joseph 2007
159 Cookie Jacqueline Wilson Doubleday Children's 2008
160 Going Dutch Katie Fforde Arrow 2008
161 Clean cut Lynda La Plante Simon & Schuster 2007
162 Devil may care Sebastian Faulks Penguin 2008
163 Death message Mark Billingham Sphere 2008
164 The 5th horseman James Patterson & Maxine Paetro Headline 2006
165 The long way home by Audrey Howard Hodder & Stoughton 2008
166 The associate John Grisham Century 2009
167 The Reapers John Connolly Hodder & Stoughton 2008
168 Where's Spot? Eric Hill Puffin 1983
169 Book of the dead Patricia Cornwell Sphere 2008
170 Days of hope Lyn Andrews Headline 2007
171 Death message Mark Billingham Little Brown 2007
172 The girl of his dreams Donna Leon William Heinemann 2008
173 Dead man's footsteps Peter James Macmillan 2008
174 Horrid Henry's haunted house Francesca Simon: ill Tony Ross Dolphin 1999
175 The woods Harlan Coben Orion 2007
176 Whistleblower Tess Gerritsen Mira 2008
177 Arrows of desire Emma Blair Sphere 2008
178 Bungalow 2 Danielle Steel Transworld Publishers Ltd 2006
179 Strike back Chris Ryan Century 2007
180 The unbearable lightness of scones Alexander McCall Smith + Iain McIntosh Polygon 2008
181 Cross James Patterson Headline Publishing Group 2007
182 Sunshine and shadows Katie Flynn Arrow 2008
183 Faith Lesley Pearse Penguin Books Ltd 2008
184 Bones to ashes Kathy Reichs Arrow 2008
185 The righteous men Sam Bourne Harper 2006
186 Divine justice David Baldacci Macmillan 2008
187 This year it will be different Maeve Binchy Orion 2008
188 Mother of pearl Maureen Lee Orion 2008
189 The tiger who came to tea written and illustrated by Judith Kerr HarperCollins Children's 2006
190 Horrid Henry's nits Francesca Simon: ill Tony Ross Dolphin 2000
191 Bones Jonathan Kellerman Headline 2008
192 False impression Jeffrey Archer Macmillan 2005
193 Second chance Jane Green Penguin 2008
194 Honeymoon James Patterson and Howard Roughan Headline 2005
195 The visible world Mark Slouka Portobello 2008
196 The brutal art Jesse Kellerman Sphere 2009
197 When will there be good news? by Kate Atkinson Doubleday 2008
198 Obsession Jonathan Kellerman Michael Joseph 2007
199 Echo Park Michael Connelly Orion 2006
200 A house by the sea Elvi Rhodes Bantam 2008
201 The land of summer Charlotte Bingham Bantam 2008
202 Sword song Bernard Cornwell HarperCollins Pub. 2007
203 The kite runner Khaled Hosseini Bloomsbury 2004
204 Beach Road James Patterson Headline 2006
205 Predator Patricia Cornwell Little Brown 2005
206 The lollipop shoes Joanne Harris Black Swan 2008
207 Skeleton Coast Clive Cussler, Jack DuBrul Penguin 2007
208 Tiddler Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler Alison Green 2007
209 I've heard that song before Mary Higgins Clark Simon & Schuster 2007
210 Stone cold David Baldacci Macmillan 2007
211 Second honeymoon Joanna Trollope Bloomsbury 2006
212 The bodies left behind Jeffery Deaver Hodder & Stoughton 2008
213 Dead heat Dick Francis, Felix Francis Michael Joseph 2007
214 Don't be horrid, Henry Francesca Simon ; illustrated by Tony Ross Orion Children's 2008
215 Biscuit Bear Mini Grey Red Fox 2005
216 World without end Ken Follett Macmillan 2007
217 A penny a day Lilian Harry Orion 2008
218 Nineteen minutes Jodi Picoult Hodder & Stoughton Ltd 2007
219 The hollow Nora Roberts Piatkus 2008
220 Faith Lesley Pearse Michael Joseph 2007
221 Horrid Henry tricks the tooth fairy Francesca Simon ; illustrated by Tony Ross Orion 2004
222 I'm really ever so not well characters created by Lauren Child ; text based on the scrip Puffin 2007
223 Sisters Danielle Steel Bantam 2007
224 Thanks for the memories Cecelia Ahern HarperCollins 2008
225 Tell it to the skies Erica James Orion 2007
226 Engleby Sebastian Faulks Vintage 2008
227 On Chesil Beach Ian McEwan Jonathan Cape 2007
228 The woods Harlan Coben Orion 2008
229 The 19th wife David Ebershoff Black Swan 2009
230 Crossfire Andy McNab Bantam 2007
231 Lost! the hundred-mile-an-hour dog Jeremy Strong ; illustrated by Rowan Clifford Puffin 2008
232 Skin privilege Karin Slaughter Century 2007
233 But excuse me that is my book Lauren Child Puffin 2005
234 The water's lovely Ruth Rendell Hutchinson 2006
235 Keeping the dead Tess Gerritsen Bantam 2008
236 The last testament Sam Bourne Harper 2007
237 Kiss Jacqueline Wilson ; illustrated by Nick Sharratt Doubleday 2007
238 Killer heat Linda A Fairstein Little Brown 2007
239 The Afghan Frederick Forsyth Bantam Press 2006
240 Lonely teardrops Freda Lightfoot Hodder & Stoughton 2008
241 The dark tide Andrew Gross Harper 2008
242 Lessons in heartbreak Cathy Kelly Harper 2008
243 Name to a face Robert Goddard Corgi 2008
244 London bridges James Patterson Headline 2004
245 The final warning by James Patterson Century 2008
246 Best friends Jacqueline Wilson ; illustrated by Nick Sharratt Corgi Yearling 2005
247 A most wanted man John le Carre Hodder & Stoughton 2008
248 Bargain Bride Iris Gower Transworld Publishers Ltd 2007
249 The 6th target James Patterson & Maxine Paetro Headline 2008
250 Delia's How to cheat at cooking Delia Smith Ebury 2008

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