Top Borrowed Digital Books from Libby's Collection in the Year 2023
In 2023, North American public libraries saw a significant surge in digital book and magazine borrowings through the Libby platform. According to Libby's figures, which are based on user feedback from millions of users in 18,000 public libraries across North America, there was a 55 percent increase in e-book and audiobook borrowings, and a 65 percent increase in digital magazine checkouts.
The top e-book borrowed in North American public libraries via Libby in 2023 was Verity by Colleen Hoover, a mystery & thriller novel. This was closely followed by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex's biography & memoir, Spare.
In the audiobook category, Verity by Colleen Hoover also topped the charts, classifying it as the top romance audiobook and science fiction & fantasy audiobook. Prince Harry's Spare was the most checked-out nonfiction audiobook. Other popular audiobooks included Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, a romance and science fiction & fantasy title, and The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah, a historical fiction audiobook.
The top juvenile fiction series borrowed was the Big Nate series by Lincoln Peirce, while the top YA fiction series were the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas and the A Court of Thorns and Roses series by the same author (not previously mentioned).
Magazine-wise, The New Yorker was the most checked-out title. Libby's new one-tap magazine checkout feature has contributed to this increase.
Among the most demanded authors on Libby in 2023 were Colleen Hoover, Rebecca Yarros, and Prince Harry. The most popular "Notify Me" pre-release title was Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross, while Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros was the most popular "Notify Me" already-published title.
The top biography & memoir e-book, aside from Spare by Prince Harry, was Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr, a historical fiction e-book. The most borrowed female author of e-books and digital audiobooks in public libraries in North America in 2023 was Colleen Hoover.
Libby's new 'Notify Me' feature, which provides pre-release info on upcoming book launches, has been a hit. The most popular titles included House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas and The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley, a mystery & thriller audiobook.
In the juvenile fiction series audiobook category, The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner was a notable addition.
Overall, 2023 saw a shift towards digital reading and listening, with a particular interest in mystery & thriller, romance, and science fiction & fantasy genres.
