A début novel of cooking and chemistry, Prince Harry’s memoirs of sibling rivalry and his frostbitten todger, and Anh Do’s children’s books are among the works most borrowed from ACT libraries this year.
Lessons in Chemistry, a novel by Bonnie Garmus, was the most borrowed title from Libraries ACT this year.
“Now also a television series, the book tells the story of a chemist in the 1960s who does not get the respect she deserves,” Tara Cheyne, ACT Minister for City Services, said. “She experiences an unexpected turn and starts hosting a famous cooking show.
The novel was the most popular hard copy adult fiction book and e-book at Libraries ACT. It had around 700 reservations from hungry library members who put in a request throughout the year to read the book.”
Shortlisted for the ACT’s Book of the Year Awards, Bulldozed: Scott Morrison’s fall and Anthony Albanese’s rise by Niki Savva, a political journalist, was one of the five most borrowed non-fiction books. The most popular was Prince Harry’s Spare.
Anh Do maintained his dominance over junior fiction. Last year, he wrote all of the five most borrowed children’s books; this year, four of the five. Meredith Costain’s Diva Drama comes in at second.
Most popular books in physical format and adult fiction
- Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
- The Bookbinder of Jericho by Pip Williams
- Exiles by Jane Harper
- Dead Tide by Fiona McIntosh
- Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
Top five adult non-fiction
- Spare by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
- I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
- Did I Ever Tell You This?: A Memoir by Sam Neill
- Bulldozed: Scott Morrison’s fall and Anthony Albanese’s rise by Niki Savva
- RecipeTin Eats dinner by Nagi Maehashi
Top five junior fiction
- Legends Unite by Anh Do
- Diva Drama by Meredith Costain
- Enter the Jungle by Anh Do
- From Nerd to Ninja! by Anh Do
- Spinning Weird! by Anh Do
Top five junior non-fiction
- Minecraft Survival Handbook by Mojang
- Minecraft Annual 2023 by Mojang
- Amelia Earhart by Isabel Sanchez Vegara
- How to Build LEGO Dinosaurs by Hannah Dolan
- Jane Goodall by Isabel Sanchez Vegara
Top five ebooks
- Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
- Exiles by Jane Harper
- Bookbinder of Jericho by Pip Williams
- Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
- Dirt Town by Hayley Scrivenor
Top five audio books
- Bookbinder of Jericho by Pip Williams
- Book of Roads and Kingdoms by Richard Fidler
- Murder Rule by Dervla McTiernan
- Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman
- Exiles by Jane Harper
Now Christmas is over, and families are looking towards the New Year, Ms Cheyne reminded the community that libraries are free and open to everyone – and they are also all air conditioned.
“As the school holidays continue into 2024, parents are welcome to escape the heat and visit a library branch to discover many of the free school holiday programs. Bookings are essential, and can be accessed on the Libraries ACT website.
“I would like to thank the team at Libraries ACT for their continued service to the community in 2023. Library branches are an important way for people of all ages to keep connected.”
Selected library branches are open today; only on New Year’s Day will all branches be closed.
Library users are encouraged to visit the library website at library.act.gov.au before visiting a branch for up‑to-date opening hours.
Normal operating hours will resume for all library branches from Tuesday 2 January 2024.
