December 2025

Haere mai, welcome to our Books newsletter. Explore what's happening in the world of books, and find your next great read!

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Best of 2025

What reads and watches did library staff enjoy this year? Tell us your favourites and go in the draw to win a reader's bundle.

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Most Popular in 2025

Want to find out which books that other Christchurch people loved? These are the most popular titles of 2025!

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Best of 2025 for Kids and Teens

Our selectors have picked the best books of 2025 for tamariki and rangatahi. Have a browse and find a great read!

Best of 2025 & Have Your Say

New For You

New For You is a monthly selection of new books, topical titles, and hidden gems - chosen especially for you by our book buyers!

Staff List

New For You - Aotearoa New Zealand - December 2025

Have a taste of home-grown books! Some of our best New Zealand new arrivals for this month. Fiction, Biography, Non-Fiction, and more.

Staff List

New For You - Contemporary Fiction - December 2025

Explore modern life in all its fictional glory with this selection of new contemporary fiction titles.

More New For You

New on the blog

Blog Post

Best Aotearoa book cover of 2025 – Sick Power Trip

Todd Atticus talks about how he designed the book cover for Sick Power Trip by Erik Kennedy,

Blog Post

The Far Edges of the Ancient World by Owen Rees

Troy reviews The Far Edges of the Ancient World by Owen Rees, a fascinating exploration of borders and 'backwaters' of the ancient world.

More new blog posts

New Titles

New Titles shows you all the latest arrivals in your library - and the new books that are coming soon.

Fiction

"The Seven Rings" by Roberts, Nora, 1950-

"The Unravelling of Julia" by Scottoline, Lisa, 1955-

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Non-Fiction

"All the Way to the River" by Gilbert, Elizabeth, 1969-

"Overland to the Island" by Bulloch, Hannah

"Mr Ward’s Map" by Cox, Elizabeth (Historian)

View All

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Mānuka Stories - Summer reading challenge for ages 0 to 18

It's on! Embrace the challenge this summer and win prizes. When the mānuka blooms, it’s time to read.

Event

Mānuka Storygrove exhibition at Tūranga
Series

Dec 16th, All day

Tūranga

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On your visit to Tūranga, follow the trail of blooms to find the Mānuka Storygrove – a hidden grove of summertime wonder.

Event

Summer Teen Book Club at Tūranga
Series

Jan 7th | 3:00pm - 4:00pm

Tūranga

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Join us in January for a relaxed, welcoming book club for teens! We’ll gather in a cosy space to chat about books & share reading ideas.

More about Mānuka Stories

Simon Winchester is coming to Christchurch

Bestselling writer, journalist and broadcaster Simon Winchester OBE (UK/USA) chats about his latest book, The Breath of the Gods: The History and Future of the Wind at a WORD Christchurch event at The Piano on Friday 6 March 2026.

Book your spot

Staff picks

Māori Lit Blog Reading Challenge #1

Here is a few titles to get involved with the MāoriLitBlog Reading Challenge.

What you waiting for? December 2025

Donna wants to read novels by Khadro Mohamed & Josie Shapiro, memoirs by Kathy Burke & Evan Dando, plus 🧐fiction & non-fiction😘.

More staff picks

New library tote bags now available at your library. Our "Stories come to life at the library" bags are $9 each.

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December 2025

New For You

New on the blog

New Titles

Fiction

Non-Fiction

Mānuka Storygrove exhibition at TūrangaSeries

Summer Teen Book Club at TūrangaSeries

Simon Winchester is coming to Christchurch

Staff picks

Mānuka Storygrove exhibition at Tūranga
Series

Summer Teen Book Club at Tūranga
Series