Most popular books in 2001

Clare County Library holds a stock of over a quarter of a million books which are available for borrowing at its fifteen branch libraries throughout the county. 21,307 new books were added to stock in 2001. 418,366 items were loaned by the library service in 2001, an increase of 7% over the previous year.

Books written by Irish authors featured prominently among the most popular adult fiction titles borrowed by library members in 2001.
Nine of the top ten adult fiction titles were written by Irish women authors. Maeve Binchy's final novel, Scarlet Feather, topped the list. Marian Keyes had four books in the top ten, indicating her continuing popularity.

In the non-fiction category, three books about County Clare made the top four list. Two of these, The Clare Anthology and County Clare: a History and Topography, were published by Clasp Press, which has strong links to the library service. Perhaps indicating the continuing growth of the 'Celtic Tiger', three Irish books of house plans made the top ten list.

In the Children's section 'Harry Potter' books accounted for four of the five most popular titles. Author Jacqueline Wilson's books, without the help of a movie, claimed the other six spots on the top ten list.

Adult fiction:
1. Scarlet Feather by Maeve Binchy*
2. Dreaming Of A Stranger by Sheila O'Flanagan *
3. Someone Like You by Cathy Kelly *
4. Last Chance Saloon by Marian Keyes *
5. Water Melon by Marian Keyes *
6. Suddenly Single by Sheila O'Flanagan *
7. Sushi For Beginner's by Marian Keyes *
8. Rachel's Holiday by Marian Keyes *
9. Swinging On A Star by Terri Prone *
10. The Brethren by John Grisham
* Irish Author

Adult non-fiction:
1. The Clare Anthology edited by Kieran Sheedy - CLASP Press
2. Guinness World Records
3. County Clare: a History and Topography by Samuel Lewis - CLASP Press
4. The Scattering: Images of Emigrants from an Irish County edited by Anne Jones
5. 'Tis: a Memoir by Frank Mc Court
6. Plan-A-Home: Concepts for Irish Homes by Harold McGuinness
7. Complete Idiot's Guide to the Internet by Peter Kent
8. Blueprint Home Plans
9. Bungalow Bliss by Jack Fitzsimons
10. One Voice/My Life in Song by Christy Moore

Children's:
1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling J9
2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling J9
3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling J9
4. Illustrated Mum by Jacqueline Wilson J9
5. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling J9
6. Buried Alive by Jacqueline Wilson J9
7. Girls under Pressure by Jacqueline Wilson J9
8. Dare Game by Jacqueline Wilson J9
9. Double Act by Jacqueline Wilson J9
10. Lizzie Zipmouth by Jacqueline Wilson J6