Auckland Libraries blog

Is there anything more exciting for pop culture fans than the  Armageddon Expo ? It’s the ultimate place to celebrate your top TV, anime and video game obsessions.  Why not dive into the graphic novels and manga behind the hype?  There’s no need to spend money on a single volume when you can read the whole series for free with your library card.  We’ve put together a must-read list inspired by this year’s special guests, featuring titles connected to fan-favourite worlds like Stranger Things , Avatar: The Last Airbender , and Final Fantasy .  You’ll also find standout manga picks like Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and Jujutsu Kaisen – perfect if you’re already deep in anime or just getting started. Start here: the stories behind the hype Curious about where your favourite on-screen stories began? This list is your shortcut to exploring visual storytelling for free. Borrow eBooks online or request physical copies to pick up from your local library.   Stran...

Bestie Junior has landed in your library, and it’s packed with awesome reads chosen by librarians who know exactly what kids love.  Grown-ups have had a Bestie collection for a while… now it’s your turn! Head to the Bestie Junior display (look for a table or special shelf) and see what you can discover. Every visit might be different! How Bestie Junior works Bestie Junior is all about getting great books into kids’ hands, quickly. Each library has a slightly different mix of titles. If you spot something you like, don’t wait too long – someone else might snap it up! Here’s what makes Bestie Junior different: Borrow for 2 weeks (instead of 4), so more kids get a turn  Take  maximum 2 books  at a time across all Bestie collections No holds and no renewals , keeping the books moving  Multiple copies of popular titles, so they’re easier to find  You can return books to any library  You can still search for titles in the catalogue and place a ...

Due to maintenance, some of our online services will be unavailable on: Thursday 16 April at 6 to 6:30am. During this time, you might not be able to: Log into your catalogue account Use ePurse and web reservation services  Search and borrow items on eBook/eAudiobook platforms Our apologies for the inconvenience.

Curious to know whether the book really is better? 2026 has already kicked off with some incredible page-to-screen adaptations – and plenty more are on the way! Take your pick this year from murder mysteries and heated romances to chilling thrillers, beloved children’s classics and epic fantasy.  Revisit a literary classic like Wuthering Heights or finally pick up Project Hail Mary before its big-screen debut!  Last year brought us some incredible adaptations – check out our library list Books coming to screens in 2025 – and 2026’s line-up is just as exciting.  Before these stories hit cinemas and streaming services (or if they already have!), it’s not too late to experience them the way they were originally told. Book-to-screen adaptations in 2026 In order of on-screen release date: 1. Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell This award-winning historical novel reimagines the life of Shakespeare’s family through the eyes of his wife Agnes (Anne) Hathaway. Tender, l...

Not all romance books are created equal. Some deliver slow-burn longing, others bring chaos, fantasy kingdoms, rivals-on-ice tension or fangs and forbidden desire.  If you’ve ever wondered what kind of romance reader you are, this guide is your invitation to find out. To help you discover your niche, our librarians have picked out nine romance booklists across a wide range of subgenres, romance tropes and spice levels.  1. Sports romance  You love rivals, locker-room tension, and feelings that get messier under pressure. Heated rivalry by Rachel Reid SO hot right now. Two rival NHL players begin a secret, years-long affair that starts as pure physical chemistry and slowly turns into something neither of them planned for. Set against the pressure of professional ice hockey and public scrutiny, this is a sharp, emotional enemies-to-lovers romance with real depth. Deep end by Ali Hazelwood Scarlett, a competitive college diver, agrees to a friends-with-benefits arrangem...

The numbers are in, and Aucklanders were reading at full speed in 2025! Discover this year's chart-topping authors and favourite titles across Tāmaki Makaurau. 11 million physical books were checked out this year, plus 6 million digital loans . With 410,000 active library users across the region, it’s been a record-breaking year of borrowing. While Central City Library saw the most visitors through its doors, East Coast Bays Library claimed the title of highest-issuing branch with a remarkable 456,000 checkouts – proof that the community’s appetite for books is as strong as ever. It was a great year for homegrown talent, with several New Zealand authors making a strong showing in the Top 10. And when Aucklanders love a series, they really love it. Rebecca Yarros ’ dragon fantasy Fourth Wing reigned supreme in the adult eAudiobook chart for the second year running, with the next two books in the series snapping up the remaining Top 3 spots.  Tamariki couldn’t get enough of...