Geelong Regional Libraries have released lists of the most borrowed titles in 2022, after members borrowed almost 2 million collection items throughout the year.
The ever-popular Liane Moriarty was in top spot on the adult fiction list with her September 2021 release Apples Never Fall.
Moriarty was one of four Australian writers to make the top ten, which also included Jane Harper at number five with Survivors, Garry Disher’s The Way It Is Now at sixth and Hannah Kent in eighth with Devotion.
Geelong Library and Heritage Centre coordinator Sandi McNeilly said there were no great surprises on the list, which followed previous years by showing a high representation of crime and thriller fiction.
“I would say the results are fairly predictable; you’ve got Lee Childs, Michael Connolly, John Grisham, James Patterson and Jeffery Archer, and crime and thriller fiction is always popular,” Ms McNeilly said.
“It’s great to see so many Australian authors on there. Liane Moriarty is really popular, nearly every time she releases something she goes straight to bestseller.”
The young adult list also featured a host of familiar names such as Sarah J Maas, Morris Gleitzman and Anthony Horowitz, but top spot was taken by Heartstopper Volume One, the first instalment of Alice Oseman’s ongoing LGBTQIA+ graphic novel series.
For the youngsters, Matt Cosgrove’s Alpacas with Maracas was the most borrowed title, with Peppa Pig, Bluey and Anh Do’s Wierd! series remaining as popular as ever.
Geelong Regional Libraries CEO Vanessa Schernickau encouraged anyone with an interest in reading to join up and enjoy their collection of over 400,000 items.
Becoming a library member is free and easy; pop into your local library today or sign up online,” Ms Schernickau said.
“Once you are a member, you can borrow 40 items at a time, and remember, we do not charge late fines!”
Adult Fiction
1. Apples Never Fall – Liane Moriarty
2. Better Off Dead – Lee Child and Andrew Child
3. Dark Hours – Michael Connelly
4. The Judge’s List – John Grisham
5. Survivors – Jane Harper
6. The Way It Is Now – Garry Disher
7. Over My Dead Body – Jeffrey Archer
8. Devotion – Hannah Kent
9. Where the Crawdads Sing – Delia Owens
10. 2 Sisters Detective Agency – Candice Fox and James Patterson
Staff picks – Books you might have missed
1. The Islands – Emily Brugman
2. Loveland – Robert Lukins
3. The Night Shift – Alex Finlay
4. The Bullet That Missed – Richard Osman
5. The Furies – John Connolly
6. Bad Actors – Mick Herron
7. Master of Djinn – P. Djeli Clark
8. The Orphans – Fiona McIntosh
9. Beautiful World, Where Are You – Sally Rooney
10. The Tilt – Chris Hammer
Young Adult Fiction
1. Heartstopper Volume 1 – Alice Oseman
2. A Court of Thorns and Roses – Sarah J Maas
3. Six of Crows – Leigh Bardugo
4. You’ll be the Death of Me – Karen McManus
5. A Court of silver flames – Sarah J Maas
6. A Good girls guide to murder – Holly Jackson
7. One of us is lying – Karen McManus
8. Shadow and bone – Leigh Bardugo
9. After – Morris Gleitzman
10. Eagle Strike – Anthony Horowitz
Junior Fiction and Picture books
1. Alpacas with Maracas – Matt Cosgrove
2. Whitney and Britney Chicken Divas – Lucinda Gifford and Emma Watson 3. Give Me Some Space! – Philip Bunting
4. Bluey: Charades A Lift-the-Flap Book – Bluey
5. Peppa Pig: Peppa’s Best Sleepover – Peppa Pig
6. Splish, Splash Safety – Trafalgar Square Books (COR)
7. Planet Weird! (Weirdo 15) – Anh Do
8. Tasty Weird! (Weirdo 16) – Anh Do
9. The Very Super Bear – Nick Bland
10. Peppa Pig: Peppa’s Camper Van – Peppa Pig
