The Chain

 By:  Sir Bradley Wiggins  

Location: NF 920 WIG

Genre: Bikes. 

"Searing and insightful… harrowing… compelling."

"It's not a light read but, blimey, it is brilliant

"The Chain" is a raw and deeply moving sports autobiography. In this memoir, Bradley Wiggins discards his public persona to confront childhood trauma, addictions, and personal struggles. It details his journey of self-discovery, breaking free from his past, and finding peace with his true identity

Think you know Bradley Wiggins? Think again.

Join Bradley Wiggins on a remarkable journey of self-discovery during which he faced his greatest ever opponent – the demons inside his head. He has cast aside his fragile shell and is the person he always wanted to be. Finally, he is happy in his own skin. He has broken the chain.

Bradley Wiggins is the greatest British cyclist of his generation. A national hero on both track and road, he won five Olympic gold medals, eight world titles and the Tour de France.

But his is a story mired in contradiction, controversy, and confusion. Sat on a throne after winning gold at London 2012, just ten days after becoming the first Briton to win the Tour de France, here was a man with the world at his feet. Sporting hero. People’s champion. Legend. Everyone knew who ‘Wiggo’ was. Everyone, that is, but him.

Bradley’s own truth was one of a chaotic and disturbing upbringing characterised by abandonment and abuse. The bike had been his escape but he knew that the second he got out of the saddle he was a shadow-man with no self-belief and even less self-worth.

With zero confidence in his value as a human being, attention was his worst nightmare. Bradley’s answer was to wear a mask. He became ‘Sir Wiggo’, the loveable rogue, the disguise slowly suffocating the real him, crushing the last few remnants of self-esteem.

Bradley descended into a deep personal despair marked by drug addiction. It was his lowest point, and one which, he freely admits, could have resulted in his death.

Bradley’s saviour has been himself. Incredibly he found the strength to embark on a remarkable journey of self-discovery during which he faced his greatest ever opponent – the demons inside his head. In so doing he reached an understanding of what and who he is.

The result is this powerful memoir, The Chain.

It is a journey he now wants to share. He wants others to understand they are not alone in their mental battles; that embracing honesty and openness is the key to personal happiness.

Bradley Wiggins has cast aside his fragile shell. Now, as the person he always wanted to be, he has become an inspiration to us all. Forget the jerseys, the medals. Finally, Bradley Wiggins is who he is, in his own skin. He has broken the chain.

Mike McRoberts- Speaking My Language

 By: Mike McRoberts  

Location: NF 20 MCR

Genre: Bio- Te Reo, Memoir

In this personal memoir, Mike McRoberts opens up about his journey to reconnect with te ao Māori (the Māori world). He shares his experience of learning te reo Māori and encourages other New Zealanders to take steps toward understanding and treasuring the language and culture. 

Speaking My Language is an invitation into the private world behind one of Aotearoa’s most recognisable broadcasters. Mike McRoberts, long associated with composure and professionalism on screen, uses this book to explore the less visible layers of his life: a childhood in Ōtautahi marked by limited access to te ao Māori, a career that placed him firmly in the public gaze, and an internal longing to reclaim a language that should always have been his. The result is a compelling and generous account that blends personal narrative with cultural reflection, offering insight into the challenges and rewards of language revitalisation.

The book traces McRoberts’ upbringing in a mixed-heritage family at a time when te reo was seldom heard outside select communities. His early years reveal a deep disconnection that shaped his identity long before he could articulate its effects. That sense of absence follows him into adulthood, even as he builds a successful career in journalism. The polished presenter familiar to viewers existed alongside a quiet tension every time he uttered a simple greeting in te reo. This tension becomes a catalyst for change as he decides, later in life, to begin a deliberate journey towards reconnection.

McRoberts leads readers through the emotional and intellectual terrain of learning te reo Māori. He reflects on classroom experiences, encounters with tikanga, and the guidance of teachers and mentors who shape his understanding. The people he meets along the way are not simply supporting characters but integral parts of his transformation. Their presence underscores the communal nature of the language journey and the importance of relationships in rebuilding identity. The narrative makes space for vulnerability, acknowledging moments of discomfort and self-doubt, as well as the joy found in small milestones.

The book’s strength lies in its ability to hold personal story and cultural context together. McRoberts weaves his lived experiences with broader reflections on history, belonging and the ongoing revitalisation of te reo. The structure, anchored in whakataukī and shaped by Māori modes of storytelling, reflects the kaupapa at its heart. Rather than presenting his life chronologically, he builds a thematic account that mirrors the organic, often nonlinear nature of cultural rediscovery. This style gives the work an immediacy that suits its subject, allowing emotion, memory and insight to sit comfortably alongside one another.

McRoberts writes with clarity, warmth and a sense of humility. His style is conversational without losing depth, providing enough context for readers unfamiliar with te ao Māori while still speaking directly to those who recognise the nuances of his journey. The pacing allows his reflections to resonate without lingering too long on any one moment. It is an accessible text, yet layered enough to reward attentive reading.

As a contribution to contemporary New Zealand literature, Speaking My Language is significant. It offers a perspective shared by many Māori who grew up separated from their reo and are now working to reclaim it. It also serves as a bridge for non-Māori readers seeking to understand the emotional and cultural weight of language revitalisation. The book adds to the growing body of writing that situates identity, indigeneity and personal growth within the evolving landscape of Aotearoa.

Ultimately, McRoberts presents a narrative rooted in courage and hope. It affirms that reconnecting with one’s heritage is both a personal undertaking and a collective responsibility. Speaking My Language stands as a thoughtful, engaging and meaningful contribution to the stories of contemporary Māori experience.

Reviewer: Chris Reed

HarperCollins

The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances

 By: Glenn Dixon  

Location: FIC DIX

Genre: Fantasy

A young Roomba vacuum sets out to save the humans of her house from a rising technological power in this compelling, original novel.

Loved it. Laughed and cried. Beautifully written, clever plot, great characters. Highly recommended.- Kate

I loved it. 
I thought it would be a conventional cute Sci-Fi story but what started with elements of a cozy tale quickly evolved into a dystopian and bleak future possibly at our door. Margret

The writing was great, with a solid balance between heart and fear and humans and machines. 

In a near future, where even the smallest of appliances are sentient, a young Roomba vacuum sets out to save the humans of her house from a rising technological power in this compelling, original novel.

In a self-running, smart house, a young and sentient Roomba listens as her owner, Harold, reads aloud to his dying wife, Edie. Mesmerized by To Kill a Mockingbird and craving the human connection she witnesses in Harold's stories, the little vacuum renames herself Scout and embarks on a journey of self-discovery.

But when Edie passes away, Scout and her fellow sentient appliances discover that there are sinister forces in their midst. The omnipresent Grid, which monitors every household in the City, seeks to remove Harold from his home, a place he's lived in for fifty years.

With the help of Adrian, a neighborhood boy who grows close to Scout and Harold, as well as Kate, Harold and Edie's formerly estranged daughter, the humans and the appliances must come together to outwit the all-controlling Grid lest they risk losing everything they hold dear.

Automatic Noodle

 By: Annalee Newita  

Location: FIC NEW

Genre:  Sci Fi

If you’re into speculative fiction with a strong emotional core and bonus points for mouthwatering food writing, Automatic Noodle is worth your time.

It was short, sweet, cozy, but powerful. The characters are full of hope and love despite living in a world hostile to their kind and having to endure segregation. 

Having such passionate descriptions of food as the conductive thread of the story was brilliant, and the tastes felt as vivid as the characters. 
It is beautiful writing- Margot

You don’t have to eat food to know the way to a city’s heart is through its stomach. So when a group of deactivated robots come back online in an abandoned ghost kitchen, they decide to make their own way doing what they know: making food—the tastiest hand-pulled noodles around—for the humans of San Francisco, who are recovering from a devastating war.

But when their robot-run business starts causing a stir, a targeted wave of one-star reviews threatens to boil over into a crisis. To keep their doors open, they’ll have to call on their customers, their community, and each other—and find a way to survive and thrive in a world that wasn’t built for them.

The Wonderful Disgrace

 By: Angourie Rice and Kate Rice     

Location: FIC RIC

Genre: Romance

Expect the unexpected in this funny, edgy, and highly anticipated second novel from best-selling authors Angourie and Kate Rice.

Amy Middleton has all her plans in place for the school ball - the perfect dress, the perfect date, the perfect night.

But fate, it seems, has other plans, as the night unravels in a perfect storm of misunderstandings, manipulations, over-exposure, and the utterly unexpected.

A funny, edgy, multi-layered dark comedy of errors from best-selling authors Angourie and Kate Rice.

Review by Nahi

My wonderful disgrace was funny and full of chaotic shenanigans that reminded me a bit of my high school days. the writing style was pretty good and Iloved that this story was told through all these different mediums, including journal entries, text messages, newsletters etc. I did appreciate how amidst all the fun and the chaos, the story tackles some incredibly serious topics and asks important questions about what it means to grow up and think about your future.

All in all, my wonderful disgrace does a great job at representing the high school experience and how wild it can be.

Hamza's Wild World

 By: Hamza Yassin  

Location: NF 590 YAS

Genre: Animal Facts

Hamza’s Wild World book is a joy from start to finish - packed to the brim with facts galore about a multitude of animals, birds, sea creatures, insects and their habits and habitats. Full of fascinating information to build up the skills of a naturalist and activities to develop awareness and skills too.

Interviews with people who work with wildlife add another dimension and expertly highlighting potential careers for the young to consider

This book is aimed at younger readers 7-12 but it feels much more - a family book or a book for young and old. As someone who works in education I cannot recommend this book enough - a great non- fiction book to dip into, share with others and learn so much from

Louise Forshaw’s illustrations add another level of fun and magic

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Naturalist and wildlife cameraman Hamza Yassin regales us with animal facts in this fun read.

The book is well written and easy to dip in and out of. There is a wide variety of information, which is presented in an interesting way. Both my 5- and 10-year-old enjoyed hearing the fun facts and some of the sillier ones prompted great fits of giggles!

I was really impressed by the fact that the book has a dyslexia-friendly layout, making it a good pick for children who love animals but struggle to read.

A recommended read for animal lovers young and old.

God Storm

 By: Solitaire Townsend    

Location: FIC TOW

Genre: Mythology

A Female Gladiator's Vow. A Stolen Child. A Storm to End Empires

In a petrol-fuelled Roman Empire which never fell, Arrow, a gladiatrix turned governess must rescue the child she has loved as her own, a girl who could tear down the world.

When Livy is abducted during a devastating Godstorm, Arrow must unleash years of the gladiator training she'd sworn to forget in order to save her. Defying her owner, a heartless Consul, Arrow turns to her ex-lover and the illegal druid underworld in a desperate attempt to rescue the girl she has come to think of as her own.

Her search will take her across Londinium, a city of petrol-powered chariots, to the pagan Old Town, and eventually the edge of the known the Amazon, where destiny and destruction intertwine

Facing battle and betrayal Arrow must reclaim her past as a killer—or risk everything for the child who calls her "mother."

She is the Sword.

This was an amazing and refreshing debut.
If you are looking for a vaguely historical slightly sci-fi novel that feels like a fantasy but isn’t, this book does that. It also has a resultantly steampunk vibe and a beautiful found family narrative with the best, most heartbreaking portrayal of motherhood that I have read so far.
Furthermore, it is a scathing commentary on our modern society, its classism, it’s dependence on fossil fuels and is wonderfully critical of colonialism.- GIL

'This startling alternative history takes us to a newly-imagined world... The result is a vivid, ferocious adventure.' Kim Stanley-Robinson

'A highly original, vividly-imagined fantasy Roman Empire where oil is power' Ruth Downie