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.

Author talk: Dr Samah Sabawi
Online archival database, ArchivesSpace, expands
Pou Kohikohinga in Residence at Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre
Observing the Natural World: Dr Morgane, Canterbury Museum
Author talk: Dr Samah Sabawi
Online archival database, ArchivesSpace, expands
Pou Kohikohinga in Residence at Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre
Observing the Natural World: Dr Morgane, Canterbury Museum
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
Biography and memoir reading guide
Personal development reading guide
More non-fiction reading guides
Popular science reading guide
True crime reading guide
World and travel reading guide
For teens
Non-Fiction reading guide
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
Women's Prize for Non-Fiction
2025 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards
Reference and User Services Association: Notable books
Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction
Women's Prize for Non-Fiction
2025 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards
Reference and User Services Association: Notable books
Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction
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New titles
All the latest titles, including non-fiction ordered and arriving on library shelves soon.