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.
Troy's best of 2023
Troy: This is a (not exhaustive) list of some of the books I read this year that I think are pretty neat, and maybe you will too.
Most Popular 2023: Non-fiction for adults
University of Canterbury professor Julia Rucklidge takes out the top spot in 2023's most popular 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!
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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 - November 2023
New For You is a monthly selection of new books, topical titles, and hidden gems - chosen especially for you by our book buyers!
