South Taranaki LibraryPlus

08/09/2026

🥁 BorrowBox Beat 🥁

This week's pick is At Night All Blood Is Black by David Diop.

When Senegalese soldiers Alfa and Mademba enter the trenches of the First World War, their friendship becomes a lifeline amid unimaginable horrors. But after Mademba dies from a devastating wound, Alfa is left consumed by grief, guilt, and an obsession that begins to unsettle even his fellow soldiers.

A powerful and haunting novel, this International Booker Prize winner explores friendship, colonial history, and the devastating psychological toll of war. As Alfa's world unravels, readers are drawn into a story that is both heartbreaking and unforgettable.

💬 "Without his more-than-brother, Alfa is alone and lost amidst the savagery of the conflict."

Available now on .

07/09/2026

06/09/2026

📚 The Monday Mini's

✨ Mini #1 – One day in winter by Shari Low
Four people wake up expecting an ordinary December day. Instead, family secrets, life-changing decisions, and unexpected twists set their lives on a collision course with destiny. A compelling story of love, courage, and second chances. ❄️

✨ Mini #2 – One day a taniwha by Tīhema Baker
Sleep-deprived new father Hepa is struggling to keep everything together when a mysterious presence begins appearing in both his dreams and waking life. A gripping New Zealand psychological novel that blurs the line between nightmare and reality. 🐚

✨ Mini #3 – Little wonder by Sophie Chen Keller
A gifted young pianist and his devoted mother are separated in the chaos of Beijing Railway Station. What follows is a moving journey of loss, hope, resilience, and the enduring pull of family. 🎹

06/09/2026

📕 Cover Crush Sunday

The Unknown by Riley Sager

A cover that practically hums with menace. The stark red backdrop, the sprawling black tree, and the shadowed figure at its roots create the feeling of standing at the edge of a secret you were never meant to uncover.

Some stories invite you in. This one dares you to step closer.

Beneath those twisted branches lies a mystery wrapped in uncertainty, where every answer seems to lead somewhere darker. It's the kind of cover that stops you scrolling and leaves you wondering what waits in the shadows.

Sometimes the most frightening thing is not what you know... but what remains unknown.

🌲 Lost in the darkness, waiting to be discovered.

05/09/2026

🕵️ The Tension Shelf

Interrogation Notes: The body and the blood

Suspect: Molly Crighton

What they're not telling you:

• A cathedral organist doesn't simply fall to her death without questions being asked.
• Beneath the stained glass and stone walls, old rivalries and carefully guarded secrets are beginning to crack.
• Someone is determined to keep the truth buried, and they've already shown how easily murder can be mistaken for an accident.

Evidence Collected:

"Someone who has proven they can turn murder into an 'accident'."

Panic Level: 🔎 Under Suspicion

A meticulous police administrator. A disgraced investigative journalist. A suspicious death inside one of the city's most revered institutions. As the pair dig deeper into the cathedral's hidden tensions, they discover that some secrets are worth killing for.

04/09/2026

🌿 The Friday Flow with Cath

✨ The Smallest of Joys: How to Create Your Own Magic, Let Your Best Be Enough & Find Contentment Exactly as You Are by Diane Shiffer ✨

I'm especially looking forward to this one. Diane Shiffer has become a social media favourite for millions of followers through her gentle reminders to slow down, embrace life's imperfections, and find joy in everyday moments. Her messages feel like a warm conversation over a cup of tea, and this book promises more of the wisdom that has resonated with so many people.

Filled with reflections on self-acceptance, gratitude, kindness, and finding beauty in ordinary days, The Smallest of Joys offers an antidote to the pressure of always doing more and being more. With humour, warmth, and practical encouragement, Diane invites readers to embrace their quirks, appreciate small comforts, and treat themselves with the same compassion they offer others.

What to expect: • Gentle, uplifting advice for everyday life
• Reflections on gratitude, mindfulness, and self-kindness
• Encouragement to slow down and savour simple pleasures
• The comforting wisdom that "good enough" really can be enough

If you're looking for a book that feels like a deep breath, a cosy blanket, and a reminder to be kinder to yourself, this could be the perfect read.

📚 Reserve your copy and have a lovely joyful weekend - C

03/09/2026

📲🖤 Libby Vibe Check

Mood: "Found family, second chances, and danger closing in"
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Three women linked by a difficult past. Three lives thrown into turmoil when old secrets refuse to stay buried. Pivot brings together connected stories filled with danger, trust, resilience, and romance, as Meri, Melanie, and Michelle fight for their futures while unexpected love finds its way back into their lives.

Vibe check highlights:
• Strong found-family friendships forged through shared hardship
• High-stakes suspense featuring kidnappings, conspiracies, and hidden secrets
• Second-chance romances that bring heart to the action

Read it now on

02/09/2026

Whakanui Te Marama o Te Reo Māori i ngā wharepukapuka o Taranaki ki te Tonga.🙌

Celebrate with South Taranaki LibraryPlus
Te Marama o te Reo Māori (Māori lanuguage month)📣

Attend activities near you!

02/09/2026

📚 The Knowledge Nook 🐔
This week's pick: A Healthy Home Flock by Nikki Husted

Whether you're dreaming of keeping chickens or already have a flock ruling the backyard, this practical guide is packed with expert advice to help your feathered friends thrive.

From spotting early signs of illness to building a chicken first aid kit, preventing common health problems, and understanding nutrition, Nikki Husted shares clear, easy-to-follow guidance for chicken keepers of all experience levels. Filled with colour photographs and real-world advice, it's an invaluable resource for raising happy, healthy birds.

💬 "Keep your backyard chickens happy, thriving, and free from illness with this essential guide to problem prevention, health care, and confident flock management."

📖 Perfect for lifestyle block owners, poultry enthusiasts, and anyone considering adding a few hens to the family.

📚 Available to reserve now.