Read all about it . . One City tops list of borrowed titles

Published on Monday 16 April 2007 12:16

A COLLECTION of short stories by Edinburgh authors has beaten Harry Potter to become the city's most borrowed library book.

One City - which features stories by Irvine Welsh, Ian Rankin and Alexander McCall Smith - has surprised librarians by taking the top spot ahead of any of fellow Edinburgh author JK Rowling's best-selling Potter books.

But she will not be too disappointed that One City has knocked her latest bestseller into second place - for she wrote the collection's introduction.

One City was borrowed 1470 times in Edinburgh last year - 28 per cent more than Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, which is the most popular library book in Scotland.

The rest of the list, compiled by the city council, also shows a strong preference for local tales. Six out of the top ten places were taken by Edinburgh authors.

Alexander McCall Smith, author of the 44 Scotland Street books and the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency, had eight books in the top 100, equalling crime writer Quintin Jardine.

Six of Ian Rankin's popular Inspector Rebus novels were on the list, as were all six of the Harry Potter series. The third most popular was The Lincoln Lawyer, by Michael Connelly, followed by Mary, Mary by James Patterson and Friends, Lovers, Chocolate by McCall Smith.

One City was the brainchild of Welsh, who shot to fame with Trainspotting. Each of the stories features a tiger, which Welsh has admitted are an obsession of his.

It was published in December, and reprinted this year after all 25,000 copies from its first print run were snapped up.

It was produced by the One City Trust charity, which aims to raise awareness about poverty and inequality. The trust was set up by Lord Provost Lesley Hinds.

She said: "I think it's absolutely fantastic that the book has proved so popular, especially when it's competing against some very big names. We made it very cheap for people to buy, but many still prefer to use libraries . The whole idea is to raise awareness of social inclusion, as well as raising money for the One City Trust.

"I think it's great having so many Edinburgh authors on the list, but we are the city of literature." She said a follow-up was being considered after the success of One City. "I know Alexander McCall Smith is very keen to do another book," Councillor Hinds said.

Librarians said part of One City's success was that it appealed to a wide range of readers.

Margaret Young, of Stockbridge Library said: "One City is very popular. I know every library has got quite a few copies.

"It's not surprising that people like to read local authors. These are some very big names, and they're being read throughout the country."

TOP 20 BOOKS BORROWED

1 One City by Alexander McCall Smith, Ian Rankin and Irvine Welsh, with an introduction by JK Rowling - 1470 issues

2 Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince by JK Rowling - 1150

3 The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly - 813

4 Mary, Mary by James Patterson - 813

5 Friends, Lovers, Chocolate by Alexander McCall Smith - 766

6 Fleshmarket Close by Ian Rankin - 750

7 Horrid Henry and the Mega-mean Time Machine by Francesca Simon (illustrated by Tony Ross) - 681

8 Stay of Execution by Quintin Jardine - 667

9 The Take by Martina Cole - 659

10 Espresso Tales : The Latest from 44 Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith (illustrated by Iain McIntosh) - 653

11 Toxic Bachelors by Danielle Steel - 647

12 A Question of Blood by Ian Rankin - 631

13 Lethal Intent by Quintin Jardine - 594

14 The Gruffalo's Child by Julia Donaldson (illustrated by Axel Scheffler) - 589

15 Fallen Gods by Quintin Jardine - 594

16 Unnatural Justice by Quintin Jardine - 562

17 The Closers by Michael Connelly - 546

18 The World of Jacqueline Wilson by Jacqueline Wilson (illustrated by Nick Sharratt) - 520

19 Blow Fly by Patricia Cornwell - 519

20 The Broker by John Grisham – 519