The novels of Sally Rooney and Graham Norton were among the most borrowed in Irish libraries last year, it has been reported.
The pair's respective novels, Intermezzo and Frankie were very popular in libraries nationwide, have been checked out and returned more than 3,600 times each. But both finished narrowly behind Richard Osman's We Solve Murders, a mystery novel which was borrowed more than 3,800 times.
Irish-American writer Michael Connelly’s The Waiting, John Boyne’s two books Fire and Earth, Colm Toibin’s Long Island, Lee Child’s In Too Deep, Sinead Moriarty’s Good Sisters and Roisin Meaney’s Moving On complete the top 10.
Speaking about these figures, Darina Molloy, senior librarian with Mayo Libraries said that they show “how vibrant and healthy” Irish writing is, claiming that Irish fiction “flies off the shelves”.
She added: “Helping people discover a new favourite author, and guiding them toward more books they’ll love, is one of the real joys of library work".
Libraries Ireland have said that they want to encourage people to look for recommendations made by librarians for Ireland Read campaign, with a range of special events taking place across Ireland this week.
Back in January, it was confirmed that another novel by Graham Norton would be adapted into a TV series, which will star Denise Welch.
The six part series, Forever Home, will see Welch star alongside Emmerdale star Lewis Cope, and Heartstopper star Jenny Walser. Other names include The Marlow Murder Club actress Samantha Bond, as well as Downton Abbey's Amy Nutell, The Revenge Club's Douglas Henshall, as well as Inspector Morse's Kevin Whately, Invasion star Shane Zaza and Waterloo Road actor James Baxter.
"In writing Forever Home, I was initially inspired by the simple idea of packing up a home later in life, and the 'what if’ scenarios and complexities that come with later-life relationships", Norton said of the series. "The novel soon evolved into a funny, twisted ‘dark-romp’ full of farcical scenes and it’s wonderful to see the depth and richness of Carol’s story realised as a screenplay".
More on this story here.
