From Richard Osman’s cosy crime best-sellers to Elmer the Elephant and potty training aides for toddlers – Cambridgeshire Libraries’ most borrowed books of 2024 reflect the diverse and vibrant communities our libraries serve.
At first glance the authors Richard Osman and David McKee have little in common. Osman made his name in TV before writing a string of recent record-breaking crime best-sellers (currently being adapted by Netflix with a big-name cast), while McKee published his first Elmer the Elephant children’s picture book in 1968 and his 44th in 2022!
Both Osman and McKee have two entries Cambridgeshire Libraries list of most borrowed books for 2024, but the year’s surprising number one was ‘The Queen’s knickers’ by Nicholas Allen. Alongside ‘I really, really, need a wee’ by Karl Newson (which made it to number four), it seems books that aim to help young families with potty training and ease the transition from nappies to pants have been popular with borrowers.
Cambridgeshire Libraries’ top 10 most borrowed books 2024
- The Queen's knickers, Nicholas Allan
- The bullet that missed, Richard Osman
- Harry Potter and the philosopher's stone, J.K. Rowling
- I really, really, need a wee, Karl Newson
- Elmer and the tune, David McKee
- The Thursday murder club, Richard Osman
- Elmer and the race, David McKee
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking ball, Jeff Kinney
- Lost and found, Oliver Jeffers,
- Drew's fab jab, Greg Hodder
Cambridgeshire is currently served by 33 county council-run libraries, 12 community libraries, and three mobile libraries which visit 100 communities and villages each month.
The 2024 most borrowed books list reflects the continued value of the library service brings to varied and dynamic communities across our county – from young families reading children’s classics together at bedtime stories through to lifelong readers borrowing in-demand best sellers.
In safe and friendly surroundings at any Cambridgeshire library you can browse the shelves, sit and read, access computers and Wi-Fi for free, or get involved with a variety of events and activities, including board games clubs and craft sessions.
Cambridgeshire Libraries is also proud to host The Library Presents, one of the few library services in the country which receives Arts Council funding to deliver a programme of arts and culture across the county.
Gary Porter, Head of Libraries at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “Our Libraries are vibrant community spaces where people can come together for social connection, support, and to engage with culture and creativity.
“We know how important our 33 libraries are to Cambridgeshire residents and our most borrowed books list for 2024 hints at the wide-cross section of people that visit our libraries, and our mobile libraries every day, for books and so much more.”
Find out more about what’s on offer at Cambridgeshire Libraries: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/libraries-leisure-culture/libraries
