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.
Māori Land Court Drop In Advisory Clinic, part of a series
Staff from the Māori Land Court will be available to give advice on a range of topics from succession applications to land trusts.
Rangahau-ā-Iwi: Ngāi Tahu
Feb 3rd | 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Interested in Iwi history and research? Come along to our Iwi Research event where the focus at this session will be Ngāi Tahu.
Christchurch Photo Hunt 2025 - The Winners
Explore the winners and highly commended photos and collections in the 2025 Christchurch Photo Hunt.
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.
Māori Land Court Drop In Advisory Clinic, part of a series
Staff from the Māori Land Court will be available to give advice on a range of topics from succession applications to land trusts.
Rangahau-ā-Iwi: Ngāi Tahu
Feb 3rd | 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Interested in Iwi history and research? Come along to our Iwi Research event where the focus at this session will be Ngāi Tahu.
Christchurch Photo Hunt 2025 - The Winners
Explore the winners and highly commended photos and collections in the 2025 Christchurch Photo Hunt.
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
Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction
Recognises the best non-fiction for adult readers published in the US during the previous year. Find out the shortlist for the 2026 award.
Prime Minister's Awards for Literary Achievement
These awards recognise writers who have made a significant contribution to NZ literature in 3 categories: Poetry, Non-fiction, and Fiction.
Pikihuia Award winners
Winners in the biennial Pikihuia awards for Māori writers in English or te reo Māori have been announced.
Nobel Prize in Literature
The 2025 winner of this prestigious award is Hungarian writer László Krasznahorkai.
Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction
Recognises the best non-fiction for adult readers published in the US during the previous year. Find out the shortlist for the 2026 award.
Prime Minister's Awards for Literary Achievement
These awards recognise writers who have made a significant contribution to NZ literature in 3 categories: Poetry, Non-fiction, and Fiction.
Pikihuia Award winners
Winners in the biennial Pikihuia awards for Māori writers in English or te reo Māori have been announced.
Nobel Prize in Literature
The 2025 winner of this prestigious award is Hungarian writer László Krasznahorkai.
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 - December 2025
New For You is a monthly selection of new books, topical titles, and hidden gems - chosen especially for you by our book buyers!