Biography and memoir reading guide
Inspiring true stories of artists, inventors, icons, and influencers, as well as everyday individuals.
Life stories that speak of struggle, survival, and overcoming great adversity. From rags to riches stories, through to medical triumphs, overcoming discrimination, human and animal rescues, and tales of survival - these are the stories that move, motivate, and make us who we are.
Biography and memoir reading lists
Curated lists of biography and memoir titles
Biography - Historical love stories
Romance with a slice of history - stories of devotion, secrecy, and enduring love. Tangled lives and loves that history threw together.
Biography - Music
From inspirational to downright dysfunctional, there’s no denying these musicians have lived intriguing lives.
Biography - Sports
Stories of sporting legends and endurance champs that are awe-inspiring. Learn what motivates them to push their bodies to the limit.
Biography - Need for Speed
Making trains, planes and automobiles go faster; discover the designs that made it possible to rocket around tracks and through the sky.
Biography - Scientists
Meet people whose thirst for learning has inspired them to discover new truths about how the world works.
Biography - Women in Science
Women have been behind great breakthroughs in science. Others have explored scientific fields, telling their own stories in the process.
Biography - On Authors
Inspiring and illuminating, these literary biographies reveal the person behind the pen.
Biography - Fashion and Showbiz
A look at the lives of the people who entertain us and bring style to our lives.
Survival Stories
Harrowing tales of human survival - of earthquakes, fires, and natural disasters, as well as unthinkable man-made cruelty and genocide.
Sexuality Stories
From pioneering feminists and gay icons, to tales of transition and self-discovery - stories to help us understand and celebrate who we are.
Family Stories
These are the real life stories of families - families from many different races, backgrounds, and creeds.
Animal Stories
From heroic rescue dogs, to lions in one’s flat - unforgettable rescue, service, and companion animals that have changed human lives forever
Medical triumphs
Heart-rending stories of illness - both mental and physical - and the inspiring roads to recovery these patients were able to take.
Inspirational People
People who awe and inspire - their stories simultaneously humble us, and urge us to reach for the stars.
Illustrated biographies
Illustrated Biographies - Artists and Art
Graphic novels focusing on seminal artists and art movements - striking illustrations, unique glimpses into the lives of important artists.
Illustrated biographies - Famous people
A glimpse into the lives of celebrities, world leaders, political figures, sports stars, and other (in)famous people.
Illustrated Biographies - Music
Telling the story of musicians through the art of graphic novels is the perfect marriage of art and music.
Illustrated Biographies - LGBTQIA+
These biographies are written by LGBTQIA+ people from different places, times and ages. Stories of what it’s like to be here and queer.
Illustrated Biographies - Travel
A collection of the best biographical graphic travel novels available in our collection - a chance to travel without leaving your seat!
Illustrated biographies - Life, love and loss
Authors and cartoonists tell of their unique experiences with love, life, and loss in these beautifully illustrated graphic memoirs.
Illustrated Biographies - War and Conflict
If you enjoy true stories about people's lives during war or political and social upheaval, you may enjoy one of these graphic biographies.
Illustrated Biographies - Medical and mental health
Graphic novel stories of people who have faced and survived severe afflictions, either as sufferers or as carers.
Biographical eResources
Find out more about the lives of people of note with biographical eResources.
Reading around the World - Fifty Countries, Fifty books!
Simone is part way through a challenge to read a book from every country in the world! What has she learned and what books did she love?
Most Popular 2024: Non-fiction for adults
Sam Neill's memoir takes out the top spot in 2024's most popular non-fiction, and NZ biographies and memoirs make a strong showing.
This is the F#$%ing news by Paddy Gower: Libby eAudiobook
Borrow the eAudiobook This is the F#$%ing news by Paddy Gower today. No wait list!
Biographical eResources
Find out more about the lives of people of note with biographical eResources.
Reading around the World - Fifty Countries, Fifty books!
Simone is part way through a challenge to read a book from every country in the world! What has she learned and what books did she love?
Most Popular 2024: Non-fiction for adults
Sam Neill's memoir takes out the top spot in 2024's most popular non-fiction, and NZ biographies and memoirs make a strong showing.
This is the F#$%ing news by Paddy Gower: Libby eAudiobook
Borrow the eAudiobook This is the F#$%ing news by Paddy Gower today. No wait list!
Find great reads:
Biography authors:
Award-winning biography
find award winning biographies
Find non-fiction on your favourite topic
Whatever kind of non-fiction you're into, find lists, new authors to try, and staff picks.
New For You
New For You - Biographies - December 2024
New biographies and memoirs of the famous, the interesting and everyday people.
New For You - Biographies - November 2024
New biographies and memoirs of the famous, the interesting and everyday people.
New For You - True Crime - October 2024
Our selectors have hand-picked the top new additions to the collection in espionage, crime, murder, and everything in between.
New For You - Biographies - October 2024
New biographies and memoirs of the famous, the interesting and everyday people.
