New figures from Suffolk Community Libraries reveal the titles that defined local reading in 2025, supporting the Born & Read in Suffolk campaign’s push to get the county reading more.
The newly released figures highlight the authors and genres that drew the most interest across the county’s 45 libraries.
Suffolk readers gravitated towards familiar favourites and sharp new voices in 2025, with crime fiction leading adult borrowing and comic‑style stories dominating children’s lists.
Adult fiction borrowing centred on writers who have shaped reading lists for years. Richard Osman, Elly Griffiths, Lee Child, Kate Atkinson and Anthony Horowitz all featured strongly.
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Suffolk borrowers also picked up prize‑listed and talked‑about books such as Samantha Harvey’s Orbital and Jennie Godfrey’s The List of Suspicious Things.
Paul Howarth, library content, engagement and development manager, said: “Elly Griffiths and Anthony Horowitz are writers who often come to Suffolk, so it’s great to see their books are still well read by our readers.
“We are always keen to give customers what they want but can also recommend other titles and authors so we can inspire people to try different things. The beauty of libraries is we can offer so much choice to our readers!”
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“We always keep an eye on which books are most popular so we can make extra copies available in libraries," Paul added. "Of course, there are so many books and writers out there for readers of all ages to enjoy too."
Children’s reading saw another strong year for Dav Pilkey, whose many Cat Kid Comic Club and Dog Man titles dominated. The most issued children’s books also included titles by Jamie Smart, John Patrick Green, Julia Donaldson and Jeff Kinney.
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More than four million items were borrowed across the year, including almost 1.9 million physical books and 2.2 million digital loans.
Cllr Nadia Cenci, cabinet member for communities, said: “I’m a big supporter of our libraries and it’s fascinating to see what’s popular amongst Suffolk readers. I’m going to make sure to check out some of these books myself!
“It’s a great reminder about the choice and range of books in our libraries too. Hopefully this will inspire people to get behind the National Year of Reading and check out the many books on offer from Suffolk Community Libraries.”
You can get free access to books, ebooks, audiobooks and more with a Suffolk library card. Register at any of the county’s 45 libraries or online.
Most popular adult books:
- We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
- The Frozen People by Elly Griffiths
- In Too Deep by Lee Child
- The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman
- Death at the Sign of the Rook by Kate Atkinson
- Marble Hall Murders by Anthony Horowitz
- You Are Here by David Nicholls
- The Dark Wives by Ann Cleeves
- The Secret by Lee Child
- We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes
Most popular children’s books:
- Cat Kid Comic Club: Perspectives by Dav Pilkey
- Bunny Bonanza! by Jamie Smart
- Cat Kid Comic Club: Influencers by Dav Pilkey
- Cat Kid Comic Club: On Purpose by Dav Pilkey
- Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea by Dav Pilkey
- The Impossible Pig! by Jamie Smart
- Class Action by John Patrick Green
- Machine Mayhem! by Jamie Smart
- For Whom the Ball Rolls by Dav Pilkey
- Dog Man Unleashed by Dav Pilkey
This article is part of Born & Read in Suffolk – a year-long initiative highlighting the importance of reading and writing, delivered in partnership with the National Centre for Writing and Suffolk Community Libraries, sponsored by Sizewell C and supported by Ipswich Town Football Club. Follow the campaign throughout the year in our coverage and on social media using #BornAndRead2026 or get in touch at readingmatters@newsquest.co.uk
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