The Internet search engine Google which surveys the most visited pages on the world wide web recently provided an insight into what world reads online.

Amongst the highest rated searches and pages viewed was pages about the holy Quran, a guide to tropical flowers, a robotbuilding manual and a text on interest rates.

These topped an eclectic list of the most popular english titles found using Google’s growing book search tool. The list, which was announced recently is the first time the web search leader has disclosed a snapshot of what users are viewing since it launched a controversial plan to digitally scan all the world’s books two years ago.

Timed to coincide with the largest gathering of publishing executives at the Frankfurt Book Fair, the Google list revealed an interest in lesser-known backlist titles, a stark contrast to those featured in the closely watched New York Times bestseller lists and Amazon.com’s sales rankings.

The compilation provides fresh regular insights into what the world is reading online, though Google said it has no plans to launch such a service.