Moray libraries most-borrowed books revealed

Crime fiction continues to dominate readers' choices across the region’s eleven libraries, with all five of the most-borrowed fiction titles belonging to the genre. 

Richard Osman is Moray’s most borrowed author, with The Impossible Fortune - the fifth instalment in his Thursday Murder Club series - loaned out 86 times. The most borrowed Downloadable audio book was Nash Falls by David Baldacci, loaned out 63 times.

Julia Donaldson is the most popular children's author, writing almost all of the most borrowed kids’ books.  

In non-fiction, the most popular title this year has been Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York by Andrew Lownie, which has been borrowed 34 times.  

Moray’s Principal Librarian David Hayden said: "It's fantastic to see so many people across Moray continuing to make use of their local libraries, discovering new books and the great facilities we have to offer.  

“It’s been an exciting year in general, with various sessions running across our libraries including Edinburgh Book Festival livestreams, English and Gaelic Bookbug events and even a dedicated gaming hub in Elgin. Our Summer Reading Challenge is also ongoing, having seen around 700 young people sign up to take part, which is tremendous.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has visited over the last year, whether it’s to borrow a book, use the Business Hub or utilise our archive service. Don’t forget you can also use our online borrowing service, BorrowBox to download digital books and magazines." 

Moray’s most popular books of 2026 

Adult fiction 

1. The Impossible Fortune (Richard Osman) - borrowed 86 times 
2. The Killing Stones (Ann Cleeves) - borrowed 81 times 
3. Let Him In (Lisa Jewell) - borrowed 67 times 
4. Exit Strategy (Lee Child) - borrowed 62 times 
5. The Black Loch (Peter May) - borrowed 59 times 

Children’s fiction 

1. What the Ladybird Heard (Julia Donaldson) – borrowed 56 times 
2. What the Ladybird Heard at the Seaside (Julia Donaldson) – borrowed 54 times 
3. Oi Dinosaurs! (Kes Gray) – borrowed 53 times  
4. Gozzle (Julia Donaldson) / The Singing Mermaid (Julia Donaldson) – both borrowed 43 times 
5. Jonty Gentoo (Julia Donaldson) / Tyrannosaurus Drip (Julia Donaldson) / The Dinosaur that Pooped a Planet (Tom Fletcher) – all borrowed 41 times 

Adult non-fiction 

1. Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York (Andrew Lownie) – borrowed 34 times 
2. Nobody’s Girl (Virginia Roberts Giuffre) – borrowed 25 times 
3. The Let Them Theory (Mel Robbins) – borrowed 24 times 
4. Odyssey (Sir Stephen Fry) / Frankly (Nicola Sturgeon) – both borrowed 19 times 
5. Eat Yourself Healthy (Jamie Oliver) – borrowed 18 times 

Downloadable audio books

1. Nash Falls (David Baldacci) – borrowed 63 times
2. We All Live Here (Joho Moyes) – borrowed 36 times
3. We Solve Murders (Richard Osman) – borrowed 35 times
4. The Impossible Fortune (Richard Osman) – borrowed 34 times
5. Exit Strategy (Lee Child & Andrew Child) – borrowed 31 times