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.
NoveList Plus
Find new authors & reading options using your favourite writer, book or genre as a starting point. Your next great read is just clicks away.
Craft snippets: Crafting in Antarctica with Christine Powell
Former Antarctic worker Christine Powell talks about her life and creative endeavours while on the ice; knitting, quilting and a documentary
Entertain: Richard Till: memorable & manageable festive food
Nov 26th | 6:00pm - 7:30pm
This workshop will give you ideas, inspiration & the confidence to host something special. $48.15 including booking fee (members).
Cross Party Lines: WORD Christchurch Festival 2026
Tom reports from the live WORD Christchurch show of Cross Party Lines, the podcast created by Phil Goff and Chris Finlayson.
NoveList Plus
Find new authors & reading options using your favourite writer, book or genre as a starting point. Your next great read is just clicks away.
Craft snippets: Crafting in Antarctica with Christine Powell
Former Antarctic worker Christine Powell talks about her life and creative endeavours while on the ice; knitting, quilting and a documentary
Entertain: Richard Till: memorable & manageable festive food
Nov 26th | 6:00pm - 7:30pm
This workshop will give you ideas, inspiration & the confidence to host something special. $48.15 including booking fee (members).
Cross Party Lines: WORD Christchurch Festival 2026
Tom reports from the live WORD Christchurch show of Cross Party Lines, the podcast created by Phil Goff and Chris Finlayson.
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
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
American National Book Awards
The finalists for 2026 have been announced in Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Translated literature and Young people’s literature.
The Baillie Gifford Prize 2026 shortlist
The shortlist of the most prestigious non-fiction prize in the United Kingdom has been announced\.
Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize
The winner for this 2026 international prize for popular science writing has been announced.
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.
American National Book Awards
The finalists for 2026 have been announced in Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Translated literature and Young people’s literature.
The Baillie Gifford Prize 2026 shortlist
The shortlist of the most prestigious non-fiction prize in the United Kingdom has been announced\.
Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize
The winner for this 2026 international prize for popular science writing has been announced.
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.
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: October 2026
New For You is a monthly selection of new books, topical titles, and hidden gems — chosen especially for you by our book buyers!