Starling are thrilled to be launching their latest collection of young poets’ work at The Open Book! We'll be celebrating the new issue with readings from several of its authors – come along and join us in hearing new work from young Aotearoa authors, and have a browse of the Open Book shelves while you're at it.

Come along and get cosy at our beautiful bookstore after hours! We’ll provide endless tea, biscuits, comfy seating, and gentle atmospheric music so you can get into the reading groove. You’ll also have exclusive access to browse and buy from our shelves, as well as first dibs on our newest arrivals.

The Open Book welcomes you to get cozy in our second-hand bookshop after hours for Auckland Pride 2025! Meet some new people, find some new queer book titles, and enjoy sharing the space where the book community and the rainbow community intersect! 🌈

~1,500 clearance books - all $5 each or five for $15

Plus 10,000 other second-hand books on the shelves at their normal reasonable prices 

So many cheap books! Plus snacks and sparkling counter repartée.

Saturday 25 January 2025 from 10am

Mingle with the cool kids at the 2024 edition of The Open Book Christmas Party. BBQ, readings by artists who have graced our stage this year, happiness, conversation, sunshine. Maybe a singalong. Maybe Santa. Maybe not Santa.

Come join us at The Open Book, where Lois Cox and Hilary Lapsley, writing as Jennifer Palgrave, will read from their latest crime novel, 'Where the River Goes'. Free entry, with drinks and snacks provided. Sunday 24 November, 3pm.

~1,500 clearance books - all $5 each or five for $15

Plus 10,000 other second-hand books on the shelves at their normal reasonable prices 

So many cheap books! Plus snacks and sparkling counter repartée.

Saturday 2 November 2024 from 10am

Come along and get cosy at our beautiful bookstore after hours! We’ll provide endless tea, biscuits, comfy seating, and gentle atmospheric music so you can get into the reading groove. You’ll also have exclusive access to browse and buy from our shelves, as well as first dibs on our newest arrivals.

The bookstore will be open to ticket holders from 5pm to 8pm on Thursday 17th October. Come along any time during the reading party - late entrance is not a problem!

Where: The Open Book, 201 Ponsonby Road
When: Thursday 17 October 5–8pm

Tickets available from our website
Bookings are essential because spaces are limited!

26 Words respond to 26 Words from Page 26

26 Words New Zealand is a group of writers who write and respond to prompts using a tight format of, but not restricted to, 26 words, 260 words, or a Centana (100 word poem) - in this case 26 words from page 26 of a book selected by The Open Book.

This event will be a reading of the work resulting from this 26;26;26 exercise, and is a part of The Open Book’s on-going Ears Wide Open series, bringing poetry, music and local voices to the Ponsonby community, at no cost to you!

All are welcome! And, as usual, wine and snacks will be provided.

To learn more about 26 Words New Zealand, visit their UK’s counterpart website here: https://www.26.org.uk/

The Open Book is thrilled to welcome back Starling for the Issue 18 Tāmaki launch party at 3pm on Sunday 1 September!

We'll be celebrating the new issue with readings from several of its authors – come along and join us in hearing new work from young Aotearoa authors, and have a browse of the Open Book shelves while you're at it. We look forward to seeing you there!

Quarterly clearance sale number 26, coming right up!

~1,500 clearance books - all $5 each or five for $15

Plus 10,000 other second-hand books at their normal reasonable prices 

So many cheap books! Plus snacks and sparkling counter repartée.

Wander the rooms and worlds of The Open Book to the sweet sounds of Baroquers. Fiddling sisters Dr Kirsten Locke and Rachel Dasler, along with our regular Christmas carols host 'harpsichordist' Amy Mansfield and cellist Kate Saunders, accompany you by means of baroque sonatas and suites by Albinoni. Your music-filled browsing will be followed by readings and some mid-winter conviviality.

👂 This event is a part of our on-going Ears Wide Open series, bringing poetry, music and local voices to the Ponsonby community.

Our second clearance sale for the year is scheduled!

~1,500 clearance books - all $5 each or five for $15

Plus 10,000 other second-hand books at their normal reasonable prices 

So many cheap books! Plus snacks and sparkling counter repartée.

Saturday 27 April 2024 from 10am

Join us for the Auckland launch of Starling magazine Issue 17!

Celebrate Takahe's latest online magazine and hear readings from some of their Tāmaki Makaurau contributors!

Anna and Sophie, Open Book escapees, read poems old and new!

Join us for this queer book meet-up with a twist! Bring along your favourite queer books to share with other readers in a mini show and tell or, if you’re more of a library fiend, bring along a list of titles. At the end, you’ll leave with a big list of new LGBTQIA+ titles to explore!

Mingle with the cool kids at the 2023 edition of The Open Book Christmas Party. BBQ, readings by artists who have graced our stage this year, a singalong, happiness, conversation, sunshine. Maybe Santa. Maybe not Santa.

Our final market for the year! Happening to coincide with the Ponsonby Christmas Market, you will be absolutely flush with choice when you visit Ponsonby on Saturday 2 December.

~ come along and be the first to experience new works in development by Leilani Tamu & Poata Alvie McKree

Help us launch this new fully te reo Māori youth fiction book into the world on Sunday! Roa Ltd has produced a creative re-telling of the history of Te Riri ki Waikato - The New Zealand Wars in Waikato with Mahuripounamu. This launch event is a family friendly affair. Bring your kids and young people to hear author Raukura Roa read part of Mahuripounamu, plus one of their previously published books for tamariki.

Held on the first Saturday of each month, our Backyard Markets are a celebration of small makers, creatives and businesses. At this small curated market, you’ll find a rotating calendar of talented stallholders that you won't want to miss! Our next market is on Saturday 3 June, 10am to 2pm.

Spring cleaning? No. Spring book buying?? Yes.

~1,500 clearance books - all $5 each or five for $15

Plus 10,000 other second-hand books at their normal reasonable prices 

So many cheap books! Plus snacks and sparkling counter repartée.

Saturday 28 October from 10am

Held on the first Saturday of each month, our Backyard Markets are a celebration of small makers, creatives and businesses. At this small curated market, you’ll find a rotating calendar of talented stallholders that you won't want to miss! Our next market is on Saturday 3 June, 10am to 2pm.

Join us and Paula Morris (Associate Professor, English and Drama, and Director, Master of Creative Writing) at a reading of Hiwa: Contemporary Maori Short Stories. Colleen Maria Lenihan, Pamela Morrow and K.T. Harrison will share their stories with us.

Not one to miss - pencil it into your calendars ✏️🗓️

Choose to listen or join in as local poets take to the mic at The Open Book. This casual, welcoming open mic event is a chance for you to hear budding poets share their work, or to share your own.