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Archived Press Release
Originally created on: Wednesday 30 December, 2009
press release 30 December 2009
Top 10 library loans in 2009
Local author Peter James was a big hit with library users in Brighton & Hove this year.
Readers lapped up his crime series based on fictional Brighton detective Roy Grace, making his book Not Dead Enough the most borrowed from Brighton & Hove's libraries. The Brighton born author was also in fifth place in libraries' top ten reads for the year, with Dead Man's Footsteps.
Second most borrowed book was The Road Home, by Rose Tremain, which tells the story of a migrant worker from Eastern Europe trying to find work to support his family back home.
The top tens for CD, DVD and book loans from the city's libraries, which are run by Brighton & Hove City Council, provide a snapshot of the wide ranging tastes of library users.
Most borrowed CD was Back to Black, by Amy Winehouse, followed by Duffy's Rockferry and Invaders Must Die by The Prodigy. Also in the top ten is a violin concerto by Karol Szymanowski, along with the Beatles' classic White Album and Rolled Gold by the Rolling Stones.
Cult film Twilight topped the DVD and video hires, ahead of The Reader, starring Kate Winslet, and Abba favourite Mamma Mia!
Councillor David Smith, Brighton & Hove City Council's cabinet member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism, said: "The library top tens highlight the huge choice of books, films and music available at the city's libraries - there really is something for everyone.
"It is fascinating to see what the most popular items are - I'm sure the fact that Peter James' books are set in Brighton adds to their appeal with local readers, but I don't think there is a particular reason why Amy Winehouse topped the music list!"
He added: "We are delighted to see Twilight topping the DVD and video chart - the film is very popular with teenagers and we have been actively encouraging more youngsters to use our libraries."
Borrowing a film or CD from the library is great value for money - particularly at this time of the year when most people are feeling the pinch after Christmas spending. New film releases cost £3 a week to hire, while a huge range of titles cost just £1.50 a week, and CDs cost £1 to hire. Brighton's Jubilee Library also has an extensive world cinema section, offering a wider selection than most outlets hiring out DVDs and videos. DVDs are available from most city libraries and subscriptions are also available offering reduced rates on film and free CD hire.
Top Ten Reads
1 Not dead enough Peter James
2 The road home Rose Tremain
3 A darker domain Val McDermid
4 Engleby Sebastian Faulks
5 Dead man's footsteps Peter James
6 Child 44 Tom Rob Smith
7 The front Patricia Daniels Cornwell
8 The white tiger Aravind Adiga
9 Hold tight Harlan Coben
10 Exit music Ian Rankin
Top Ten DVDs/Videos
1 Twilight
2 The Reader
3 Mamma mia!
4 Slumdog millionaire
5 The Darjeeling Limited
6 The curious case of Benjamin Button
7 Marley and me
8 Revolutionary road
9 Gran Torino
10 Australia
Top Ten CDs
1 Back to black Amy Winehouse
2 Rockferry Duffy
3 Invaders Must Die The Prodigy
4 Rolled gold Rolling Stones
5 Aha shake heartbreak Kings of Leon
6 I am a bird now Antony and the Johnsons
7 Cast of thousands Elbow
8 White album The Beatles
9 Only By The Night Kings Of Leon
10 Concerto for violin no.1 Karol Szymanowski
For more information on the wide range of services offered by the city's libraries, visit the council's website www.brighton-hove.gov.uk or call 01273 290800.
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