Northern Ireland Library Data Reveals Trends in Audiobooks and Popular Reading
Data from Libraries NI covering the period from 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2026 indicates a shift in reading habits across Northern Ireland, with audiobook downloads now exceeding physical book loans. Thrillers, self-help titles, and the enduring Harry Potter series emerged as top categories for library users. Author Freida McFadden saw significant success, with her work topping both physical and audiobook charts, a trend attributed in part to recent film adaptations.
Key points
- Audiobook downloads surpassed physical book loans in Northern Ireland libraries during the 2025-2026 period.
- Freida McFadden's The Housemaid was the most borrowed physical book and the most listened-to audiobook.
- The Harry Potter series remains the most popular fiction choice among younger readers nearly 30 years after its debut.
- Self-help books, including Mel Robbins' The Let Them Theory, dominated non-fiction categories across various formats.
- Library officials suggest that books with short chapters and racy themes are currently driving reader engagement.
What happened
Libraries NI released borrowing statistics for the 12-month period ending 30 September 2026, highlighting a notable preference for audiobooks over physical copies. The data, published during Book Week NI, provides insight into the reading and listening habits of library users across Northern Ireland.
Reaction
Jillian McFrederick of Libraries NI noted that readers are gravitating toward books featuring short chapters and engaging, racy themes. Regarding the popularity of self-help titles like The Let Them Theory, McFrederick suggested that such works strike a chord with people experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety.
Background
The popularity of Freida McFadden's work has been bolstered by a 2025 movie adaptation of The Housemaid, which introduced her writing to a broader audience. Meanwhile, the Harry Potter series continues to maintain its status as a staple for younger readers, with all seven books frequently appearing in top-borrowed lists.
Why it matters
The shift toward audiobooks as the primary format for library users in Northern Ireland reflects changing consumption habits, with digital accessibility and film adaptations significantly influencing reader engagement.
What we know
- Libraries NI reported that audiobook downloads exceeded physical book loans between 1 October 2025 and 30 September 2026.
- Freida McFadden's The Housemaid was the most borrowed physical book and the most listened-to audiobook in the reported period.
- The Harry Potter series remains the most popular fiction choice for younger readers in Northern Ireland libraries.
- Mel Robbins' The Let Them Theory was a top-performing non-fiction title across both physical and ebook formats.
What remains unclear
- The extent to which the 2025 film adaptation of The Housemaid directly caused the increase in physical loans for the title is attributed by Libraries NI but remains an analytical observation.
How the story developed
Libraries NI releases annual borrowing data
Libraries NI published statistics covering the 12-month period from 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2026.
Original source
