Discover the top Auckland Libraries checkouts 2023

Aucklanders have been avid readers in 2023! Discover the popular books that flew off the shelves at Auckland Council Libraries. 

This year, our most-borrowed adults' titles saw local rising star authors claiming the spotlight thanks to our game-changing Bestie collection.  

Launched during August’s We Read Auckland festival, the Bestie collection of new and recent bestsellers from Tāmaki Makaurau sparked a borrowing surge across the region. With two-week loans, increased copies and no holds, these titles are readily available to grab off the shelf. 

Local authors even knocked our usual Top 3 fiction authors – Lee Child, Michael Connolly and David Baldacci – off the top of the fiction chart! Besties offer Aucklanders immediate great reads from both local and international authors.  

In the world of children’s fiction, beloved classics like Geronimo Stilton, Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Harry Potter cast their charm. Read on to discover which titles are among young Aucklanders’ favourites in 2023. 

Check out Tāmaki Makaurau’s most-borrowed library books and take your pick in time for summer reading! 

Most-borrowed adults’ fiction 2023 

1. The doctor's wife by Fiona Sussman*
2. One of those mothers by Megan Nicol Reed* 
3. Everything is beautiful and everything hurts by Josie Shapiro* 
4. Better the blood by Michael Bennett*
5. Poor people with money by Dominic Hoey* 

*Titles included in the We Read Auckland 2023 Besties collection.

Most-borrowed adults’ fiction by Aotearoa New Zealand authors 2023

1. The doctor's wife by Fiona Sussman*
2. One of those mothers by Megan Nicol Reed* 
3. Everything is beautiful and everything hurts by Josie Shapiro* 
4. Better the blood by Michael Bennett*
5. Poor people with money by Dominic Hoey* 

Most-borrowed adults’ non-fiction 2023

1. Second changes: facing my demons and finding a better me by Hayley Holt*
2. There’s a cure for this: a memoir by Dr Emma Espiner*
3. Spare by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
4. Girls that invest: your guide to financial independence through shares and stocks by Simran Kaur*
5. Did I ever tell you this?: a memoir by Sam Neill

Most borrowed adults’ non-fiction by Aotearoa New Zealand authors 2023

1. Second changes: facing my demons and finding a better me by Hayley Holt*
2. There’s a cure for this: a memoir by Dr Emma Espiner*
3. Girls that invest: your guide to financial independence through shares and stocks by Simran Kaur*
4. Did I ever tell you this?: a memoir by Sam Neill
5. The bookseller at the end of the world by Ruth Shaw

Most-borrowed kids' fiction 2023

1. Harry Potter and the goblet of fire by J. K. Rowling
2. The golden key: the fifteenth adventure in the Kingdom of Fantasy by Geronimo Stilton
3. The super cup face-off (Geronimo Stilton #81) by Geronimo Stilton
4. Diper Överlöde (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #17) by Jeff Kinney
5. Have a heart, Geronimo (Geronimo Stilton #80) by Geronimo Stilton

Most-borrowed kids' graphic novels 2023

1. Mouse house of the future (Geronimo Stilton, reporter #12) by Geronimo Stilton
2. Mystery on the Rodent Express (Geronimo Stilton, reporter #11) by Geronimo Stilton
3. Blackrat’s treasure (Geronimo Stilton, reporter #10) by Geronimo Stilton
4. Geronimo Stilton, the graphic novel: last ride at Luna Park by Geronimo Stilton
5. Geronimo Stilton, the graphic novel: the great rat rally by Geronimo Stilton

Most-borrowed teen fiction 2023 

1. A good girl’s guide to murder by Holly Jackson
2. Eddy, Eddy by Kate de Goldi
3. A court of thorns and roses by Sarah J. Maas
4. The ballad of songbirds and snakes by Suzanne Collins
5. One of us is lying by Karen M. McManus

Most-borrowed fiction eBooks 2023 

1. Atlas: the story of Pa Salt by Lucinda Riley
2. Lessons in chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
3. The seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
4. It starts with us by Colleen Hoover
5. The midnight library by Matt Haig

Most-borrowed non-fiction eBooks 2023

1. Can’t hurt me: Master your mind and defy the odds by David Goggins
2. I’m glad my Mom died by Jennette McCurdy
3. Straight up by Ruby Tui
4. Second chances: facing my demons and finding a better me by Hayley Holt*
5. Atomic habits: tiny changes, remarkable results by James Clear

* Titles included in the We Read Auckland 2023 Bestie collection

Most-borrowed fiction eAudiobooks 2023

1. The covenant of water by Abraham Verghese
2. Fourth wing by Rebecca Yarros
3. Twisted love by Ana Huang
4. Pride and prejudice by Jane Austen
5. Dune by Frank Herbert

Most-borrowed non-fiction eAudiobooks 2023

1. 101 essays that will change the way you think by Brianna Wiest
2. The subtle art of not giving a f*ck by Mark Manson
3. I’m glad my Mom died by Jennette McCurdy
4. Atomic habits: tiny changes, remarkable results by James Clear
5. The untethered soul: the journey beyond yourself by Michael Alan Singer 

Top 100

Excited for summer reading? 

Now that you’ve seen Auckland’s favourite books, discover your librarians’ top picks! Explore more of this year’s hottest reads with Auckland Libraries Top 100!