Mullingar author's novel big hit with local readers
A novel by a Mullingar author was one of the top five most borrowed books in Westmeath libraries last year.
The Island of Longing by Anne Griffin was one of the most popular books with local library users last year, according to a press release issued by Westmeath Libraries this week.
Her third novel, The Island of Longing deals with trauma, the fallout from the tragedy of a child going missing, and its impact on the family and their relationships.
“I came up with this story one morning while watching my son, who’s 17 now, leaving for school. I have this stupid ritual about goodbyes. He didn’t know it was a ritual, but it was for me,” Anne told the Westmeath Examiner in May 2023 when the novel was first published.
“So I’d give him a hug at the door, and after our driveway, he has to turn to wave to me again. I then close the door, run up the stairs and I watch him from the window, all the way up through the estate and the last time I see him is the back of his coat through a neighbour’s car window. And I was standing there one morning and the thought occurred to me, ‘What if I never see him again?’. And that was the beginning of this story.”
In 2024, Westmeath Libraries had 296,732 visitors , with over 20,000 of these happening during My Open Library hours.
Westmeath Libraries have 13,353 registered members and 138,103 physical items were issued in 2024. Library members also borrowed over 217,000 online items, including 28755 eAudiobooks and 14500 ebooks, as well as online newspapers, language classes, local history resources and more.
Popular titles
Top five Books borrowed in Westmeath Libraries by adults:
Duffy and Son by Damien Owens
Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent
The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
The Island of Longing by Anne Griffin
The Girl from Donegal by Carmel Harrington
Top five books borrowed in Westmeath Libraries by Young Adults (aged 12-18)
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
As Good as Dead by Holly Jackson
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J K Rowling
Project Maths revision: Junior Cert Higher Level Paper 1
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Top five booked borrowed in Westmeath Libraries by children (aged under 12)
Little Miss by Roger Hargreaves
The Moon Jet Read with Biff, Chip & Kipper by Roderick Hunt
Dog Man: Fetch-22 by Dav Pilkey
Kipper's Alphabet I spy by Kate Ruttle
Tom Gates [12]: Family, friends, and furry creatures by Liz Pichon.
Some of our favourite reads
Ever wondered what the staff of the library are reading and enjoying? In 2024 staff read and loved the following:
The Horse by Willy Vlautin
City Crecent: House of Blood & Earth by Sarah J Mass
Razorblade Tears by S A Cosby
A Court of Thorns & Roses series by Sarah J Mass
The Last Lifeboat by Hazel Gaynor
The Girl from Donegal by Carmel Harrington
James by Percival Everett
The Memory of Animals by Claire Fuller
All the Colours of the Dark by Chris Whittaker