Fiction reading guide
Whatever kind of fiction you’re into, there’s a great story here for you.
Books for teens with dyslexia
Dyslexia friendly books with a special font, thick, cream pages and widely spaced lines; high interest but a lower reading age.
Booklists
Māori fiction for Rangatahi
Collection of YA fiction and graphic novels written by and/or starring Māori characters and culture, for teens.
Neurodiversity - Our Voices - Teens
First crushes & budding romances; solving mysteries alongside friends; and navigating the stresses of high school & daily life.
Short Reads - Teens
Sometimes you just need a quick read - a short book that you can pick up and polish off fast.
Disability - Our Voices - Teens
Titles about navigating the teen years and finding your place in the world.
New Zealand Fiction - Teens
A varied list of books by Aotearoa writers. Our authors write from multiple perspectives, across all kinds of genres.
War - Teens
War! What is it good for? Absolutely nothing - except literature. Books set in wartime that shed light on the events of our past.
If You Like - Percy Jackson
Are your Rick Riordan reserves running dry? These books are full of old gods, magic quests and epic storytelling.
New Zealand Stories - Teens
Explore our own backyard with this varied list by New Zealand authors. Multiple perspectives, all kinds of genres, many award winners.
Korea - Our Voices - Teens
안녕하세요 / 안녕 Curated by Kowoon, explore Korean culture! From K-Pop romances to science-fiction, fiction and graphic novels.
Pasifika - Our Voices - Teens
Navigate Pasifika fiction & short stories, hear voices sing out through poetry, & delve into non-fiction. Discover Pasifika perspectives.
Mystery - Teens
Mystery is lurking everywhere from! Find books with amateur detectives searching for clues, and stories blending horror and drama.
Romance - Teens
Read messy love-triangle stories or sweeping historical epics; bittersweet romantic tragedies or hilarious meet-cute mishaps.
If You Like - Harry Potter
If you've gobbled up the books, here's a list that might fill that Hogwarts-sized hole in your heart.
Race - Teens
A collection of young adult fiction and graphic novels features stories involving social or racial conflict.
Classic Novels - Teens
If you need a 'classic' read for NCEA or just want some great books that have stood the test of time - all published before 1960.
Books for teens with dyslexia
Dyslexia friendly books with a special font, thick, cream pages and widely spaced lines; high interest but a lower reading age.
New for Rangatahi
New for Rangatahi
Printable lists
If you like... YA romance
Read messy love-triangle stories or sweeping historical epics, meet-cute mishaps and more. Printable author list [212KB PDF].
Ngā Pounamu Māori - Taiohi Collection
Fiction titles from our expanding Rangatahi Collection within the Ngā Pounamu Māori - Young Adults Collection. Printable list [330KB PDF]
If you like... Rainbow reads
Stories about relationships, family, romance, activism, and struggle with a range of LGBTQIA+ characters. Printable author list (302KB PDF)
If you like... YA Mystery fiction
Mystery is lurking everywhere from the school hallways to the shadows of the local woods. Printable author list (702 KB pdf).
If you like... YA Fantasy fiction
Encounter magic and myth, journey with legendary heroes, or protect the world from monsters or oppression. Printable author list (282KB pdf)
If you like... YA Dystopian fiction
Travel into grim futures not-so-far-removed from the world as we know it. Printable author list (306KB pdf).
If you like... YA contemporary and realistic reads
Stories firmly rooted in the issues that affect us today. Funny, heartbreaking, realistic, engrossing. Printable author list (275KB pdf).
If you like... YA Adventure & action fiction
Hardy men in the wilderness, bad guys in mean streets, tough heroines, and spies doing spy stuff. Printable author list (351KB PDF)
Family ties - YA Papanui display
Books with a family connection, whether it be secrets or dysfunction.
2025 Kirkus Reviews - Best Young Adult Books of the Year
Kirkus Reviews is an American book review magazine founded in 1933. Published twice a month, they review over 10,000 books a year.
2025 National Library of NZ - Best Children's & YA books
The Services to Schools' team shares the books that "spark curiosity, invite conversation and offer new ways of seeing."
Liam's 20 Best Graphic Novel Reads of 2025
Twenty of Liam's favourite manga and graphic novel books and series read this year.
Family ties - YA Papanui display
Books with a family connection, whether it be secrets or dysfunction.
2025 Kirkus Reviews - Best Young Adult Books of the Year
Kirkus Reviews is an American book review magazine founded in 1933. Published twice a month, they review over 10,000 books a year.
2025 National Library of NZ - Best Children's & YA books
The Services to Schools' team shares the books that "spark curiosity, invite conversation and offer new ways of seeing."
Liam's 20 Best Graphic Novel Reads of 2025
Twenty of Liam's favourite manga and graphic novel books and series read this year.
More Reading Ideas
Genre reading guide
Find new reads from your favourite genres with these librarian recommendations for teens.
Request reading recommendations
Not sure what to try next? Try our reading guides, or tell us your preferences and we'll make a custom reading list just for you!
Non-fiction on AWA Libby
Browse eAudiobooks and eBooks in Libby.