Auckland Libraries blog

Due to maintenance, our online library services will be unavailable on 6.05am to 6.30am,  Thursday 17 July The outages will include searching for library items in the library catalogue, logging in and managing your account, paying online and joining the library.   The outages will also affect our eCollections platforms, the Auckland Libraries app and our eLearning resources. Our apologies for this inconvenience.

Gloomy weather is the perfect backdrop for moodier reads – and what moodier place to find them than the library’s thriller section?   If you’re looking for dark, atmospheric books that feel like winter, you’ve come to the right place. Subgenres like mystery, crime and horror hold endless potential for winter escapism. Hide yourself away with these thriller book suggestions that’ll keep your mind racing all winter. 1. Carved in blood by Michael Bennett The third book in this bestselling New Zealand crime trilogy unfolds during a chilly Auckland winter, as Matariki approaches – a time of celebration and new beginnings. Hana Westerman’s family is thriving, and life finally feels peaceful. But when Hana’s ex-husband Jaye is shot in what seems like a random crime, she’s drawn back into the world of police work. Her investigation leads to a suspect with links to a Chinese crime syndicate. That’s until a call warns they’ve got the wrong man. Could the shooting be tied to Jaye’s pa...

Ever wondered what goes on down in the deep blue sea? Your library has the answers! We’re celebrating World Oceans Day – a time to recognise the importance of our moana (ocean) and all the life it holds. From the tiniest plankton to the mightiest whale, every creature has a part to play in keeping our oceans healthy.  To mark the occasion, our librarians have fished up some stories full of underwater wonder. These under-the-sea tales will help tamariki dive into marine adventures, spark curiosity about ocean life and learn how we can all help protect our precious waters. 1. Consider the octopus by Nora Raleigh Baskin and Gae Polisner Jeremy “JB” Barnes was expecting a summer of surfing, not tagging along with his mum on a ship studying the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. One big mix-up later, twelve-year-old ocean-podcaster Sidney sneaks aboard the ship. The two find themselves at the centre of a comedy of errors, scientific chaos and a mission that just might help save the ocean. ...

Titirangi Library is getting a major upgrade! A book bus will provide reduced library services during the refurbishment of the Titirangi War Memorial Hall and Library. Book bus opens 30 June From Monday 30 June , a library book bus will operate in the Titirangi Library carpark (500 South Titirangi Road), offering a reduced service throughout a 12-month construction period . Book bus opening hours: Monday to Friday: 9am–5pm Saturday: 10am–4pm (Closed for lunch daily from 12.30pm–1pm) Available services With the mobile library, you can still: pick up your requests, browse a small collection of adults' and children's books (including the Bestie collection), return items. Weekly preschool programmes will also continue nearby at Titirangi Community House . More library programmes for adults and children will run at Lopdell Precinct . Nearby libraries For full library services, including access to computers, printing and a wider range of collections, we recommend visiting: Glen Eden ...

Autumn is the perfect time to slow down, get cosy and enjoy a good book. As the days get cooler and shorter, what better way to unwind?  Our librarians have hand-picked their top seasonal book recommendations – from soulful stories and mystical adventures to eye-opening nonfiction.  Not sure what to read this autumn? Start here with these staff favourites chosen to match the season’s shifting moods. Feasts for the soul Autumn’s reflective mood makes it an ideal time to seek out stories that nourish both the heart and the mind. This reading list delivers immersive narratives that bridge human connection and the bittersweet nature of change.  Get started with: The Candy House by Jennifer Egan. A clever, moving look at how we connect with each other in the digital age. Still Life by Sarah Winman. A beautifully written story full of warmth, art, and unexpected friendships. Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell. A sweeping, time-hopping novel that weaves different lives and stories...

Love seeing your favourite books come to life on screen? 2025 is packed with exciting adaptations, from thrilling sci‐fi and fantasy epics to beloved kids’ classics and bestselling thrillers. Whether you're eager to revisit Animal Farm before its star-studded film release or curious about how The Witcher: Sword of Destiny will tie into the next season of the Netflix series, now’s the perfect time to read ahead. Last year brought us some incredible book-to-screen adaptations – check out library list  Books coming to screens in 2024 – and this year’s lineup is just as exciting. Before these stories hit cinemas and streaming services, dive into the books first and experience them the way they were originally told. Book-to-screen adaptations in 2025 1. Mickey7 by Edward Ashton Adapted into the film Mickey 17 starring Robert Pattinson, this quirky sci‐fi tale follows an “expendable” crew member on a perilous space mission. Chosen for dangerous tasks because his body can be regene...