Discover Auckland's top library checkouts in 2025

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 Dav Pilkey either, with three Dog Man titles dominating the kids’ chart and officially unseating long-time favourite Geronimo Stilton.

Read on to explore the full list of 2025’s top library checkouts and find your next great read for summer.

Top 10 adult books 2025 (physical loans)

1. The last secret agent: the untold story of my life as a spy behind Nazi enemy lines by Pippa Latour
2. The girl from London by Olivia Spooner
3. The songbirds of Florence by Olivia Spooner
4. The women by Kristin Hannah
5. A different kind of power: a memoir by Jacinda Ardern
6. In too deep by Lee Child
7. See how they fall by Rachel Paris
8. No words for this: a memoir by Alison Mau
9. The let them theory: a life-changing tool that millions of people can't stop talking about by Mel Robbins
10. Intermezzo by Sally Rooney

Top 3 adult eBooks 2025

1. The let them theory: a life-changing tool that millions of people can't stop talking about by Mel Robbins 
2. The women by Kristin Hannah 
3. Delirious by Damien Wilkins

Top 3 adult eAudiobooks 2025

1. Onyx storm by Rebecca Yarros 
2. Fourth wing by Rebecca Yarros 
3. Iron flame by Rebecca Yarros

Top 3 kids’ physical books 2025

1. Dog Man: twenty thousand fleas under the sea by Dav Pilkey  
2. Dog Man: fetch-22 by Dav Pilkey 
3. Dog Man: Big Jim begins by Dav Pilkey

Top 3 kids’ eBooks 2025

1. Karen's grandmothers by DK Yingst, Ann M. Martin 
2. Stacey’s mistake by Ellen T. Crenshaw, Ann M. Martin 
3. Kristy and the walking disaster by Ellen T. Crenshaw, Ann M. Martin

Top 3 kids eAudiobooks 2025

1. Harry Potter and the philosopher's stone by J K Rowling 
2. Harry Potter and the chamber of secrets by J K Rowling 
3. Harry Potter and the goblet of fire by J K Rowling

More 2025 library stats

What else went on at libraries this year? Explore even more fascinating facts about Auckland Council Libraries!

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Top 100

Keen for more summer reads? Try this year's staff favourites! Discover librarians' Top 100 picks