Fifty Shades fans flock to the cinema - but turn their backs on the book

WHILE FANS may be rushing in their droves to the cinema to see the film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey, it seems readers could be falling out of love with the erotic novel.
The Fifty Shades of Grey movie is released todayThe Fifty Shades of Grey movie is released today
The Fifty Shades of Grey movie is released today

Thriller writer James Patterson topped the list of most borrowed authors for 2013/14, with three of his books making the top ten of most borrowed titles.

But E L James’ racy book does not feature in the top 100 most borrowed titles of 2013/14 despite it being the third most borrowed library book in the previous 12 months. The trilogy about suave businessman Christian Grey, who seduces college student Anastasia Steele, have sold more than 100 million copies.

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The film version, which stars Jamie Dornan as Grey and Dakota Johnson as Steele, opened in cinemas today and is expected to be a box office hit, with more than £1m in advanced ticket sales.

According to data from Public Lending Right, which organises payment for authors whose books are borrowed from libraries, Dan Brown’s Inferno was the most borrowed book.

Two Lee Child novels featuring the popular drifter character Jack Reacher, Never Go Back and A Wanted Man, were the second and third most borrowed books.

Child was the ninth most borrowed author.

The top ten is dominated by six children’s authors, including children’s favourite Roald Dahl, Horrid Henry creator Francesca Simon, Jacqueline Wilson and Daisy Meadows - a collective pseudonym for a group of authors behind the Rainbow Magic series - in second place.

Former Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson was the third most popular choice.

She credited her local library for developing her own love of books.