Worcestershire’s Most Borrowed Books of 2025

Worcestershire’s libraries have generated more than two million issues in 2025, of which just over 1,350,000 have been issues of books, with another 220,000 being issues of e-books and e-audiobooks.

Bob Mortimer was the new author to enter the list of popular page-turners, with entries in both fiction and non-fiction. The Hotel Avocado / Bob Mortimer was the fiction entry with nearly 400 loans, and And Away for non-fiction with 135.

The most popular non-fiction book for adults was The Salt Path by Raynor Winn with just over 250 loans. Miranda Hart is a new entry for this year’s most borrowed books with her autobiography I Haven't Been Entirely Honest With You, taking second place with readers borrowing the book just over 160 times. Rounding out the top three is Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen. 

Jeff Kinney was clearly the most popular children’s author among the county’s youngest readers, with two entries in the top three: Diper Overlode coming top, with last year’s number 1 read Wrecking Ball coming second. Dog Man and Cat Kid by Dav Pilkey was a new entry for this year and rounded out the top three.

Richard Osman continues to be the favourite Adult Fiction author for our library customers, taking three of the top four spots, with The Last Devil To Die proving the most popular this year with nearly 550 loans. 

Councillor Ian Cresswell, Cabinet Member for Environment and Communities at Worcestershire County Council, said: “It’s always inspiring to look back and see which books captured readers’ imaginations over the past year. The joy of reading has clearly been alive and well across Worcestershire, and that’s something to celebrate. I’d encourage everyone to explore their local library and discover the wealth of resources available. The magic of a great story is waiting for everyone to enjoy.”

To find out more about Worcestershire’s libraries and the benefits of library membership, visit the dedicated pages on the County Council website.