Orbital has captivated readers since it was published in 2023
In brief:
- Libraries ACT has released a list of the most-borrowed books in 2025.
- Orbital by Samantha Harvey has ranked number one.
- This article lists Canberra’s most-borrowed books overall and by genre.
Samantha Harvey’s futuristic novel Orbital was Libraries ACT’s most borrowed book in 2025.
The 2024 Booker Prize-winning novel takes place on the International Space Station and has captivated readers since publication.
Local author Chris Hammer took second place with his mystery novel The Valley. Three of Hammer’s books ranked in the top five books written by ACT authors.
Canberrans love a great story. And with Orbital set 250 miles from Earth and The Valley in an isolated mountain community, it seems a remote location also appeals.
In total, people across Canberra borrowed more than 1.4 million items from their local libraries this year.
Non-fiction was also a big hit. Nagi Maehashi’s latest cookbook RecipeTin Eats: Tonight was the most borrowed in this genre.
Mystery and detective books remained popular as ever. Dervla McTiernan’s and Richard Osman’s books were among the top picks.
Young adult readers continued to dive into fantasy and adventure. Books like Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins and A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas were in high demand.
With everything from thrilling mysteries to real-life stories and exciting imaginary worlds, Canberrans’ passion for reading proved both diverse and prolific in 2025.
Top five titles across all formats (including audio)
- Orbital – Samantha Harvey
- The Valley – Chris Hammer
- In Too Deep – Lee Child
- The Unquiet Grave – Dervla McTiernan
- RecipeTin Eats: Tonight – Nagi Maehashi
TOP 5 READS FOR 2025 BY GENRE
Adult fiction
- Orbital – Samantha Harvey
- The Valley – Chris Hammer
- The Unquiet Grave – Dervla McTiernan
- In Too Deep – Lee Child
- Lyrebird – Jane Caro
Young Adult fiction and graphic novels
- Sunrise on the Reaping (The Hunger Games) – Suzanne Collins
- A Court of Thorns and Roses –Sarah J. Maas
- A Court of Mist and Fury –Sarah J. Maas
- Powerless – Lauren Roberts
- Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong – Brian Buccellato
Books by ACT authors
- The Valley – Chris Hammer
- Smoke – Michael Brissenden
- Legacy – Chris Hammer
- The Seven – Chris Hammer
- The Deed – Susannah Begbie
Non-fiction
- RecipeTin Eats: Tonight – Nagi Maehashi
- The Season – Helen Garner
- Memorial Days – Geraldine Brooks
- The Let Them Theory – Mel Robbins
- The Salt Path – Raynor Winn
Junior fiction & graphic novels series
- Dog Man series – Dav Pilkey
- Ninja Kid series – Anh Do
- Wings of Fire series – Tui Sutherland
- Wolf Girl series – Anh Do
- Treehouse series – Andy Griffiths
Libraries ACT branches will reopen with summer operating hours from Monday, 5 January 2026.
Keen to get your hands on one of these great reads? Remember, you can always reserve titles on the Libraries ACT website.
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