Libraries reveal borrowing of erotic fiction up by 500% in 12 months

It seems that the novel Fifty Shades of Grey had ample effects on readers; borrowing of erotic fiction increased by 500% in 12 months.

17:37 14 February 2014

Based on the data released by libraries across the county, it could be said that the kinky blockbuster novel Fifty Shades of Grey continues to have a massive effects on readers.

Library data shows that the borrowing of erotic fiction has increased by whopping 500% in the last 12 months alone.

Indigo Bloom’s Destined to Feel, one of the most popular erotic fiction titles, was borrowed almost 11,700 times. Meanwhile, EL James’s best-selling novel was listed as the third most borrowed titles list.

Prior to the popularity of Fifty Shades of Grey, the most borrowed erotic fiction title was  Divine Misdemeanours by Laurell K Hamilton. However, it is worth noting that it was only borrowed 1,500 times. This is just a fraction of the figure for Destined to Feel.

Aside from the apparent effect of the Fifty Shades of Grey, others suggested that it could also be that automated library checkouts might be helping borrowers avoid any embarrassment when taking such books out.

Meanwhile, US crime author James Patterson remains to be the most borrowed author in UK libraries.

The Public Lending Right (PLR) chart of the overall most borrowed titles for 2012/2013 was topped by:

1. The Affair, Lee Child
2. A Wanted Man, Lee Child
3. Fifty Shades of Grey, EL James
4. 11th Hour, James Patterson & Maxine Paetro
5. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw, Jeff Kinney