Best of 2023: Our top non-fiction picks!

Our list of the top 100 non-fiction books for 2023 is here! It includes the best in memoirs and biographies, poetry, local history, science, social history, art and more. We’ve highlighted an exciting mix of new books made up of hidden gems, popular bestsellers, literary prize winners and acclaimed local talents. There’s plenty to choose from for every kind of reader.

2023 Non-fiction Highlights — Browse the full list
Browse the full list with all our picks, or browse just the topic you enjoy!

We were thrilled to watch the ongoing success of many homegrown authors who have generously graced our physical and online spaces this year, including Redmer Yska for Katherine Mansfield’s Europe: Station to Station, Arihia Latham (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha) for her sublime debut poetry collection Birdspeak, and the rousing collection of diverse voices found in the anthology A Kind of Shelter Whakaruru-taha. Here are some more Aotearoa specific highlights that you’ll find within our 2023 best of non-fiction list!

For celebrity biographies there’s no prizes given for which ex-Royal’s book topped most bestseller lists this year, but not far behind a Kiwi talent shone through with Sam Neill’s Did I Ever Tell You This?. We’d recommend listening to the eAudiobook version voiced by the actor for the full experience.

In the world of art there’s plenty of talent to admire in the visually stunning and comprehensive volumes Pacific Arts Aotearoa, and Urgent Moments: art and social change. Then, take an integral look into how Māori artists have adapted age-old techniques in their contemporary practices, forming clay workers collective Ngā kaihanga uku

In Science and Environment, American author John Valiant’s Fire Weather is a must-read and recently won the prestigious Baillie Guifford Prize for Non-Fiction. But for local stories on lifetimes spent in the outdoors and helping conservation efforts, look to Dave Towns’ Ahuahu: a conservation journey in Aotearoa New Zealand and Kennedy Warne’s Soundings: diving stories in the beckoning sea. There’s also The Forgotten Forest by Robert Vennell for those wanting to take an illustrated walk through the bush via the page.

Looking under the health umbrella, local author Kristen Phillips wrote a touching memoir, Dad, You’ve Got Dementia, and Dr Emma Espiner’s (Ngāti Tukorehe, Ngāti Porou) There’s A Cure For This highlighted significant problems within our medical system and important improvements that can be made for Māori.

Rugby League in New Zealand by Ryan Bodman sums up a national pride, complete with full page photographs of unforgettable games by legendary players. And don’t miss Our Land in Colour: a history of Aotearoa New Zealand 1860-1960 to see a century’s worth of historic photographs seen for the first time in full colour. Find all these local titles, plus their internationally acclaimed counterparts in our best of 2023 selection. Happy reading!

Introducing our brand new Kurapae collection

Sneak peek of a Kurapae title - Māori Made Easy, by Scotty Morrison

Are you tired of waiting in long reserve queues for the most popular, sought-after books? Our new Kurapae collection, launching Tuesday 28 February, may be the answer for you — read more below! The word “Kurapae” is te reo Māori and translates as “Treasure found by chance.”

Kurapae webpage - 'Treasure found by chance'

What is it?

Sneak peek of a Kurapae title - Māori Made Easy, by Scotty Morrison

Sneak peek of some Kurapae titles!

The Kurapae collection consists of highly in-demand book titles. These are some of the hottest, most talked about, most wanted books around — the kind of titles that you might not normally chance upon when browsing because they have long wait lists; the kind of titles you would normally have to reserve.

This new collection is our replacement for the old Bestseller collection, only these titles are free to borrow!

How does this new service work?

  • You can borrow a maximum of two Kurapae titles at a time for two weeks
  • Kurapae titles cannot be reserved — they are available on a first-come, first-served basis
  • Kurapae titles cannot be renewed
  • As mentioned above, Kurapae titles are free to borrow!

Borrowed a Kurapae copy but have an existing reserve?

If you have an existing reserve on one of these popular titles and you have borrowed a Kurapae copy, then please ask one of our friendly librarians about cancelling your existing reserve. Alternatively you can view your library account online (or via the WCL Mini app) and cancel the reserve, or you can email us at enquiries@wcl.govt.nz. This both frees up the item for other patrons in the queue, and avoids a non-collection charge for a book you have read! (Please return the items on time so other patrons can enjoy these titles too!)

Where can I find this new collection?

The Kurapae collection is located in five branch libraries:

Please note: Kurapae titles cannot be reserved or moved to another library for pick-up.

Just to give you a flavour of the treasures in store here are some photos of some more Kurapae titles:

“Bestseller Collection” being retired

Illustration of a book with a bestseller sticker and a sad smileon itFor many years, Wellington City Libraries has provided a collection of popular titles called the Bestseller Collection. Titles could be borrowed by library members for a small fee, allowing readers to access titles that they would otherwise have to wait in a reserve queue for. The Bestsellers are being retired this weekend, to make way for a new collection, due to be rolled out in early 2023.

The new collection will contain popular titles that are free to borrow on a first come, first served basis. We look forward to telling you more as plans firm up!

If you currently hold a Bestsellers concession card, this can be used to borrow from the DVD collection in our libraries, or the CD and Vinyl collections found at Te Awe Brandon Library.

If you have any questions about this change, please talk to staff at your local library, or email enquiries@wcl.govt.nz, and we’ll be happy to help.