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.
Te Hokinga a mai… Te Rā – the Māori Sail
"Undoubtedly the biggest question on everyone’s lips is where does Te Rā come from and who made it? ... I feel Te Rā belongs to all of us."
Biography and Memoir newsletter
From celebrity memoirs to the lives of key figures in history, try our Biography and Memoir newsletter for extraordinary life stories.
Short Reads
Books under 250 pages long, for when you want something short and sweet - novellas, short stories and non-fiction.
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-winning non-fiction
Award winning non-fiction
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!
Email newsletters
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Non-fiction newsletters
Biography and Memoir newsletter
From celebrity memoirs to the lives of key figures in history, try our Biography and Memoir newsletter for extraordinary life stories.
History and Current Events Newsletter
Selected titles on power players, the story behind the news, and significant periods in history.
Nature and Science newsletter
Discover surprising and wondrous information about the world we live in our bi-monthly newsletter.
New titles
All the latest titles, including non-fiction ordered and arriving on library shelves soon.
New For You
New For You
New For You is a monthly selection of new books, topical titles, and hidden gems - chosen especially for you by our book buyers!
The Passionless People Revisited
As a younger person I have been very interested in reading about Aotearoa's economic and political history, specifically toward the gravitational changes…
Read more of this comment about The Passionless People Revisited…