Reading recommendations - Non-fiction
History, biographies, science and more - find your next favourite factual read at the library.
Explore our section devoted to non-fiction. You'll find staff picks and recommended reading in a range of topics, award-winners, popular authors and more.
Can't find what you're looking for? Request a custom reading list.
Looking for something less factual? Try our Fiction Reading Recommendations.
WORD Christchurch Festival 2024
Revisit WORD Christchurch 2024 - read our event reports, and find works by WORD writers in our collection.
Kīngitanga
Books and online resources about Kīngitanga, how it came to be and information on previous Kuini, Kīngi and significant events
Movie and Q&A: Goodnight Oppy
Sep 24th | 5:30pm - 7:45pm
Screening of a heartwarming documentary that chronicles the remarkable journey of NASA's Opportunity rover on Mars, with Dr. Vandi Verma.
Dawn Raids Reading: Pacific Underground at 30 - WORD 2024
Maatakiwi reports back on Dawn Raids reading and the following panel of the Pacific Underground production team & Oscar Kightley.
New non-fiction
New, on order, and recent non-fiction that library borrowers have given 5-star ratings.
Top rated Biography, History and New Zealand, and new and on order non-fiction
Top rated Cooking, Health, Music, Science and Travel titles
Non-fiction reading guides
Find recreational non-fiction with hand-picked lists of recommended titles, authors to try, and more.
non fiction reading guides
Arts and literature reading guide
Find fun reads that shed light on your favourite music, theatre or literature. Reads that inform and entertain just like great works of art.
Biography and memoir reading guide
The true stories of artists, inventors, icons, and influencers, as well as everyday people.
Personal development reading guide
Want to lead a more healthy, sustainable life, or try new challenges and hobbies? Great reads to help you be your best self.
More non-fiction reading guides
Popular science reading guide
Popular science takes science and makes it engaging and interesting to read. We recommend some great popular science titles and authors.
True crime reading guide
Truth can be stranger than fiction and just as gripping - read tales of murder, investigations, trials, and the wrongfully imprisoned.
World and travel reading guide
Be transported. Find reads that take you to exotic cities, feast on the foods of a foreign culture, or be inspired by real life adventurers.
For teens
Non-Fiction reading guide
Explore true stories and find resources on issues affecting youth.
Popular non-fiction authors:
Award winners
For books that are a cut above - find shortlisted and award-winning titles of international and New Zealand literary prizes.
Award winners
Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize
The shortlist for this year's international prize for popular science writing has been announced.
Hugo Award winners 2024
Find the best in Science Fiction & Fantasy with the winners and finalists of the Hugo Awards 2024.
CWA Gold Dagger for Non-fiction
British Crime Writers Association award for a non-fiction work on a real-life crime theme or a closely-related subject.
Women's Prize for Non-Fiction
The Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction is an annual book prize inaugurated in 2024 that celebrates exceptional narrative non-fiction by women.
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!
New titles
All the latest titles, including non-fiction ordered and arriving on library shelves soon.
New For You
New For You - September
New For You is a monthly selection of new books, topical titles, and hidden gems - chosen especially for you by our book buyers!
