Most borrowed books in Dublin City Libraries 2023
Published on 24th January 2024
Curious to know which library books were the most borrowed last year? Well, read on to find out what your fellow Dublin City library members were reading in 2023.
Last year’s One Dublin One Book title is top of the list, followed by the Dublin Literary Award winner. Titles shortlisted for the award also feature strongly, and it’s great as always to see Irish writers making such a strong showing on both the fiction and non-fiction lists.
The Heartstopper series remains a firm favourite with our young adult readers, and the Less Stress More Success series continues to be their go-to choice for exam preparation. The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series and Guinness World Records remain a perennial favourite for children, along with some top picks from Irish writers such as Animal Crackers and Boot.
You can reserve books online and collect from a library of your choice. Or drop into your local library for a browse and to see what’s on offer. There’s lots of great books to choose from, and friendly, helpful library staff to advise and guide you.
Popular books without the wait
Our short loan collection is a great way to beat long reserve queues on bestsellers. Drop into your local library and see what's available and then borrow your chosen book for 10 days. This special collection of popular books cannot be renewed or reserved.
If you don’t have a library card at the moment or if you need to renew your library membership, contact your local library and they will help you; here is more information on library membership.
Or contact us at [email protected]. We’re always happy to help.
Books most borrowed by adults
Fiction
- The Coroner’s Daughter by Andrew Hughes (One Dublin One Book 2023)
- Marzahn, Mon Amour by Katja Oskamp, translated by Jo Heinrich (Dublin Literary Award winner 2023)
- Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
- Cloud Cuckoo Land (Dublin Literary Award Shortlist 2023)
- The Trees by Percival Everett (Dublin Literary Award Shortlist 2023)
- The Art of Losing by Alice Zeniter, translated by Frank Wynne (Dublin Literary Award winner 2022)
- Love Novel by Ivana Sajko, translated by Mima Simić (Dublin Literary Award Shortlist 2023)
- Em by Kim Thúy, translated by Sheila Fischman (Dublin Literary Award Shortlist 2023)
- Paradais by Fernanda Melchor, translated by Sophie Hughes (Dublin Literary Award Shortlist 2023)
- All the Broken Places by John Boyne
Nonfiction
- Spare by Prince Harry
- Poor: Grit, Courage, and the Life-Changing Value of Self-Belief by Katriona O’Sullivan
- We Don't Know Ourselves: A Personal History of Ireland since 1958 by Fintan O’Toole
- The Body Keeps Score: Mind, Brain and Body in the Transformation of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk
- Your One Wild and Precious Life: An Inspiring Guide to Becoming your Best Self at Any Age by Dr. Maureen Gaffney
- Everyday Cook : Vibrant Recipes, Simple Methods, Delicious Dishes by Donal Skehan
- Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story by Bono
- Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor
- Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman
- How to be Good with Money by Eoin McGee
Books most borrowed by young people
Fiction
- Heartstopper Volume 3 by Alice Oseman
- Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman
- Heartstopper Volume 1 by Alice Oseman
- Heartstopper Volume 2 by Alice Oseman
- Hide and Secrets by Sophie McKenzie
- Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron
- The Hobbit, or, There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien
- Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
- The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes: A Hunger Games Novel by Suzanne Collins
- This Winter by Alice Oseman
Nonfiction
- The Heartstopper Yearbook by Alice Oseman
- Less Stress More Success: Biology Revision Leaving Cert by Philip Murphy
- Less Stress More Success: Geography Revision Junior Cert by Patrick O’Dwyer
- Less Stress More Success: Irish Revision Junior Cert Higher Level by Regina Ryan
- Less Stress More Success: English Revision Leaving Cert Higher Level by Martin Kieran and Frances Rocks
- Less Stress More Success: Project MATHS Revision Junior Cert Paper 1 by Brendan Guildea and Louise Boylan
- Less Stress More Success: Irish Revision Leaving Cert Higher Level by Triona Geraghty
- Less Stress More Success: Science Revision Junior Cert by Shea Mullally
- Less Stress More Success: Business Studies Revision Junior Cert by John F. O’Sullivan
- Less Stress More Success: Project MATHS Revision Junior Cert Paper 2 by Brendan Guildea and Louise Boylan
Books most borrowed by children
Fiction
- Double Down: Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
- The Third Wheel: Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
- The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
- Cat Kid Comic Club: Perspectives by Dav Pilkey
- Hard Luck: Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
- The Deep End : Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
- Dog Days: Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
- Boot: Small Robot, Big Adventure by Shane Hegarty, illustrated by Ben Mantle
- The Long Haul: Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
Nonfiction
- Guinness World Records 2023
- Animal Crackers: Fantastic Facts about your Favourite Animal by Sarah Webb and Alan Nolan
- The Usborne Picture Dictionary by Caroline Young, illustrated by SR Sanchez
- Mo Chéad 100 Focail = My First 100 Words in Irish by Felicity Brooks; illustrated by Sophia Touliatou; translated by Máire Mhic Giolla Rua
- LEGO Harry Potter: The Magical Guide to the Wizarding World by Elizabeth Dowsett
- Little Elizabeth: The Young Princess who became Queen by Valerie Wilding, illustrated by Pauline Reeves
- Minecraft Annual 2023
- 5,000 Awesome Facts About Animals (National Geographic Kids)
- Where’s the Busy Bee? by Sam Taplin ; illustrated by Stephen Barker
- Rescuing Titanic: A True Story of Quiet Bravery in the North Atlantic by Flora Delargy