Richard Osman tops Oxfam chart as most-donated author of 2024 as charity celebrates record-breaking book sales

Best-selling author Richard Osman is the ‘most donated’ writer to Oxfam shops in 2024, as the charity celebrates a record-breaking year for book sales.

The House of Games TV presenter, who has penned five murder-mystery novels including The Thursday Murder Club, which has been made into a highly-anticipated Netflix film, now joins the ranks of authors like Dan Brown and Ian Rankin, who have previously topped Oxfam’s most-donated list across the charity’s 500 shops in the UK. As well as being most-donated, Richard is also one of Oxfam’s most sold authors - meaning his books are quick to find a new home.

Despite the cost-of-living crisis, sales of books at Oxfam have been higher than ever – growing by £1m for a second year in a row and making over £21 million to help tackle poverty and inequality across the world. It follows an Oxfam survey revealing that nearly half of Brits who consider gifting second hand (49%) said books were the gift they were most likely to buy for others at Christmas*.

Joining Osman in Oxfam’s most-donated hall of fame of 2024 includes Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series, Victoria Hislop’s The Island, Yann Martel’s the Life of Pi and Jessie Burton’s The Miniaturist.

The most-donated non-fiction books to Oxfam in 2024 are just as decorated, with Adam Kay’s This is Going to Hurt and Jamie Oliver’s cookbook Veg topping the charts - followed closely by Matt Haig’s Reasons to Stay Alive and Michelle Obama’s memoir Becoming.

Of children’s fiction, the most popular donated authors include family favourites Roald Dahl and Michael Morpurgo, alongside a surge of donations of Jacqueline Wilson books this year, who announced her new book Think Again this year.

Ian Falkingham, Oxfam’s Donated Goods Strategy Lead, said: “The joy of second-hand books is that they have their own story to tell. Once a book is donated, it opens the door for someone else to discover a new world, meet a new character or fall in love with a recipe. Clearly, from Oxfam’s book sales this year, people are falling in love with second-hand books more than ever.

“It is no surprise authors like Richard Osman, Terry Pratchett and Jacqueline Wilson are some of Oxfam’s most donated this year, when they are also some of the most loved and sold authors too.

“Every time any of their books, or any other wonderful book we are donated, is sold by Oxfam, they help raise vital funds to help tackle poverty and inequality across the globe – and for that, we are immensely grateful.”

Find your next read and help make a difference with Oxfam at your local shop here, or shop online here.

ENDS

For more information, pictures or to arrange an interview, please contact media.unit@oxfam.org.uk or call +44 (0)7748 761999.

Notes to Editors

*This figure comes from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,311 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 7th - 8th November 2024. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+)

To find your local Oxfam shop click here or head to our Oxfam Online Shop here.

About Oxfam

Oxfam is a global community of people who believe in a kinder, and radically better world, where everyone has the power to thrive not just survive. We believe we can overcome poverty by fighting the injustices and inequalities that fuel it.

Oxfam has more than 500 shops in the UK as well as the Oxfam online shop. By buying and donating through Oxfam shops or online, you can help to protect our planet, while helping raise vital funds to tackle poverty and injustice around the globe.