Non-fiction
Category: Memoir
The books here are listed alphabetically by authors' surnames.
A wonderful memoir about rediscovering the night, enjoying the safety, comfort, solitude and inspiration it offers when sleep is elusive.
The extraordinary true story of a woman who moved her house from Hertfordshire to Norfolk!
A beautifully told memoir on what it is like to be an immigrant in Britain and become one of our most loved and respected journalists.
Combining history and travel writing with the memoir of a young man's apprenticeship to become a master thatcher. Brilliant!
A poignant and powerful account from a witness of war.
A personal investigation into a new generation's search for faith in an age of uncertainty.
Part memoir, part social history, inspired by George Ewart Evan's book from 1956, this is a mesmerising account of Suffolk village life.
The books we read at school, the conversations they spark and why they matter. A great way to look again at the books we've loved over the years.
While the threat of climate change is dire, David Attenborough also encourages us to marvel at the natural world. His message leaves the reader feeling determined, energised and empowered.
The story of Virginia Woolf, Sylvia Townsend Warner and Rosamond Lehmann as they moved to the country and how rural life changed them.
Exploring flight with birds, bats, insects and humans.
A brilliantly warm, funny, insightful and informative account of a friendship, and living well with dementia.
This memoir brings you up short as you confront the challenges faced by Malorie Blackman in her path to being the astonishing writer she is.
Part memoir, part life lessons, part introduction to faith, this is an entertaining and wide ranging read from the popular tv vicar!
A memoir of being in a relationship with someone who is neurodivergent. It's fun and enlightening, and talks of family life in Dorset as well as giving an insight into a career in the media.
An incredible memoir from the novelist and journalist, Brooks about finding a way to grieve the sudden lost of her husband.
A powerful, challenging and incredibly moving memoir of a young boy's release from his locked-in body through reading and writing.
By 'the bloke off BBC Look East', this is an entertaining and informative memoir of life as a local reporter.
A memoir, diary and investigation into how we can all enjoy and bring back more of the natural world.
A wonderful glimpse into how each of the Reacher novels came into being!
A fantastic read which shows us the kindness and compassion of people dealing with the small boats.
A beautiful book exploring how writers through the generations have been inspired to walk through the Suffolk landscape.
The former children's laureate looks back on all he's learned about sharing the joy of reading.
The rewilding of a family farm told as a diary with beautiful illustrations from the author.
A beautiful heartwarming, awe-inspiring tale of a woman and a hare.
For fans of the award-winning novelist, this is an entertaining glimpse into his home life and behind-the-scenes of the literary world in which he mixes.
A very readable and enlightening memoir and a guide to getting more from our reading experience.
An extraordinary story of a couple's survival when their boat capsizes in the middle of the ocean. A beautiful book!
Exploring the lives of women working and living in the natural environment and the qualities they need to survive and thrive.
A wonderful, rich, multi-faceted peek into the life of Eileen O'Shaughnessy, wife of George Orwell who contributed much more than has previously been acknowledged.
Countering the Right to Roam argument, this book stresses the value of engagement with nature rather than access.
Part nature writing, part travel writing, meeting the people trying to save birds and wildlife in peril.
An extraordinary book - a completely engrossing and compelling read about how this disease has affected our global society.
A mental health nurse shares her experience of working with young people exposed to gang life in London.
An original approach to a memoir of family which is both entertaining and moving.
A beautiful account of the life and work of the artist and printmaker Angela Harding.
A positive outlook on our future source of food, energy and housing through creative use of the land available.
Something for everyone with personal recollections of farming and family life, fascinating facts about Christmas traditions, rare breeds and life on tv!
A wonderfully moving and informative memoir about a new life in Shetland, responding to motherhood, illness and the natural environment.
The novelist's son died suddenly at just 25. Here she shares her feelings of loss, and her grief, hope and rebellion.
A former teacher and journalist decides to buy a couple of miniature cows, and ends up building a herd of Wagyu cattle.
A wonderfully inspirational account of the gift of music and how it should be available to all of us.
A bestseller in Denmark, this is a memoir of a woman who seeks to see all the butterflies in one season.
A beautifully told account of buying a house and garden in Suffolk, and the author's thoughts on gardens in literature, art and society.
The TV personality Penny Lancaster shares an uplifting, inspiring story of her life.
Tips on how to cope with winter - memoir, research and travelogue. Very interesting, and helpful!
The entrepreneurial spirit could be the answer to society's troubles, if we change our outlook and motivation.
Musings on what we mean by gardens and what they could become, by the much-loved nature writer.
A stunningly beautiful, moving and thought-provoking celebration of our rivers, and a call to action.
A quirky, entertaining and enlightening view of women's careers in the 1950s through to the early 90s.
A beautifully presented and thoughtful account of a writer's life which is both practical and inspiring.
A memoir about doing nothing! Fascinating.
A brilliantly compelling account of finding a passion for working at sea as one of the industry's few female fishermen.
A compelling and affirming memoir of overcoming tragedy and trauma while progressing a hugely successful career in magazine journalism.
A very affecting but ultimately inspiring story of a child raised by parents who were addicted to alcohol and drugs, determined to make something of her life.
A powerful and uplifting book, giving each man’s story of family and friendship, purpose and hope after they each lost their daughters to suicide.
The amazing story of a young, newly married couple who welcomed a homeless man into their house - and he stayed for 45 years.
A personal view on the importance and value of books, and libraries.
A beautifully written account of caring for the last days of a loved one.
A rather lovely book where the actress Caroline Quentin shares her wonder in the natural world through words and illustration.
BBC newsreader Sophie Raworth shares her passion for running in this engaging and inspiring memoir.
Travelling to Norway, James Rebanks meets a woman who lives alone on an island harvesting the down from ducks.
A wonderful read telling the story of the life of this extraordinary designer, and she shares the lessons she's learnt along the way.
Part memoir, part travelogue, part food diary - but especially interesting to anyone intrigued by the writer's life.
How simple acts of kindness can change the world, a memoir and interviews with scientists, researchers, activists, proving the point!
An open and honest account of a mental breakdown, and recovery with the Wordsworths in the Lake District.
An inventive, mesmerising memoir about training as a competitive swimmer, and what that teaches for life for us all.
The memoir of Ipswich Town chairman David Sheepshanks, revealing a broad and fascinating career in business and leadership.
A gripping read about an extraordinary life reporting at the frontline of world events over several decades!
A solo sailing voyage from Land's End to Greece - inspiring and uplifting. Loved it!
When a medical student is involved in a life-changing accident, what does she do next?
An open, honest and, nonetheless, engaging account of a sad childhood spent away from home, in the care of abusive teachers.
A very readable, inspiring, and practical, appeal to follow your dream in life.
Rory Stewart tracks his entry into politics and ministerial roles while sharing his insight into Parliament. Brilliant, enlightening, worrying but ultimately hopeful.
The follow-up to 'Love, Nina', this is the diary of Nina Stibbe at 61, taking time out from her marriage, back among her literary friends in London.
Two men have been sleeping in the trees at Regent's Park for five years. The author takes them food and befriends them. Astonishing and beautiful book!
Written as a series of letters giving the perspective of a displaced person and how we might all respond.
The incredible story of growing up in a missionary family among the addicts and homeless in Spain.
A fascinating and moving account of the life of this respected biographer, beautifully written.
A memoir of childhood from this award-winning author.
A charming, wry memoir from the lovely Stanley Tucci with recipes, cocktails and scripts of conversations!
A memoir of famlly and loss, grief and suicide, and also determination, courage and belief.
A powerful account of how nurses look after us all, and what we can learn from them. Inspiring, disturbing and challenging.
An honest and revealing memoir of an unusual childhood from the journalist and BBC Radio 4 Today programme presenter, Justin Webb.
An amusing and charming account of life running a second-hand bookshop in a small town in America.
Recalling the lives and times of female journalists who broke down barriers in Fleet Street in the 1970s and 1980s.
The life of a teacher presented as a perfect mix of humour, poigancy, angst, frustration and inspiration. Had me laughing out loud!
A memoir revealing how books and writing saved an unloved, adopted child and turned her into a talented, successful, much-loved author.
Taking a walk along the edges of Britain and Ireland and discovering myths, folklore and local stories.
From a Suffolk third generation baker, this is a personal account of the history and magic of bread - how it's made, sold and enjoyed!
A wonderfully enthusiastic and accessible introduction to birdwatching, and the author Hamza Yassin.
A fascinating story of a life well lived by the judge of tv's 'The Great British Sewing Bee'.
A very engaging account of life on and off the pitch by this, England's most capped player.