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
Rotuma Quiz
How much do you know about Rotuma? Try our multi-choice quiz to find out! (Answers on page 2 - 129 KB PDF)
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)
Reflections on Architecture
Architecturally-themed graphic novels, poetry, books, films, non-fiction and children's books to go with the Reflection Lounge at Open Chch.
The Bug Hunter's Booklist
Entomologist Dr Morgane Merien picks favourite books for insect and nature explorers.
Our Insect Neighbours - a closer look at their hidden world
Kia ora fellow entomologists, take a peek at these books recommended by Dr Morgane Merien as part of the Our Insect Neighbours exhibition.
Read for a spell... Papanui YA display
Books for teens and young adults based in a world with magic.
Reflections on Architecture
Architecturally-themed graphic novels, poetry, books, films, non-fiction and children's books to go with the Reflection Lounge at Open Chch.
The Bug Hunter's Booklist
Entomologist Dr Morgane Merien picks favourite books for insect and nature explorers.
Our Insect Neighbours - a closer look at their hidden world
Kia ora fellow entomologists, take a peek at these books recommended by Dr Morgane Merien as part of the Our Insect Neighbours exhibition.
Read for a spell... Papanui YA display
Books for teens and young adults based in a world with magic.
More Reading Ideas
Te Hōtēra Kārara - Bug Hotels, & more - 5-15 years - (su)
Jul 9th | 10:00am - 12:00pm
Learn about how to grow food at home, design and then make your own bug hotel & journal to record your guests & how well your plant grows.
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!
Genre reading guide
Find new reads from your favourite genres with these librarian recommendations for teens.