Non-fiction
Category: Social issues
The books here are listed alphabetically by authors' surnames.
The extraordinary true story of a woman who moved her house from Hertfordshire to Norfolk!
Combining history and travel writing with the memoir of a young man's apprenticeship to become a master thatcher. Brilliant!
A diary of nursing on a Covid ward. It is a description of selfless, tireless, dedicated caring and it's inspiring, encouraging and uplifting.
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.
A brilliantly warm, funny, insightful and informative account of a friendship, and living well with dementia.
A little known period in the history of Cambridge when women were held at the mercy of a powerful few.
A collection of traditional sayings and superstitions about cooking, gardening, housekeeping and health for adults and children - and explaining how and why they have relevance today.
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.
A fun and thought-provoking perspective on finding joy in the everyday - from watching the sunrise to punching the button on a vending machine!
A call to action - we all have a part to play. Inspiring, uplifting and challenging.
Throughout history we've been taught that humans are inherently selfish and motivated by self-interest. But is it really the case?
An incredible memoir from the novelist and journalist, Brooks about finding a way to grieve the sudden lost of her husband.
Packed with thought-provoking material, written by the head of news and current affairs at Channel Four, Dorothy Byrne.
A memoir, diary and investigation into how we can all enjoy and bring back more of the natural world.
A fascinating look into the history of humanity through the games we've played!
The former children's laureate looks back on all he's learned about sharing the joy of reading.
A brilliant book telling the extraordinary story of the people, places, concept and designs behind Isokon.
Some people are great at facilitating discussions and aiding decisionmaking. What can we learn from them?
A refreshingly wry and entertaining memoir, investigating motivations and morals in a challenging period of time with big questions for us all.
Exploring the lives of women working and living in the natural environment and the qualities they need to survive and thrive.
An uplifting and inspiring read which proves as a reminder to value the time and skill taken to produce things of use and beauty.
Countering the Right to Roam argument, this book stresses the value of engagement with nature rather than access.
A compelling and convincing argument about how we should revisit our attitude towards acquiring 'things' and following fast fashion.
An extraordinary book - a completely engrossing and compelling read about how this disease has affected our global society.
An extraordinary catalogue of stories about the amazing ways in which animals show intelligence, empathy and kindness towards us.
An encouraging and practical guide to stop being ruled by the clock.
A mental health nurse shares her experience of working with young people exposed to gang life in London.
A positive outlook on our future source of food, energy and housing through creative use of the land available.
The official biography of the film star, fashion icon and humanitarian, written by her son with journalist and biographer Wendy Holden.
A brilliant book about why it's important to stop working and living life at a breakneck pace.
A remarkable collection of biographies of women who have set sail from the 20th century.
A wonderfully inspirational account of the gift of music and how it should be available to all of us.
A hotel opened its doors to the homeless of Shrewsbury during Covid. This is an account of what happened.
The TV personality Penny Lancaster shares an uplifting, inspiring story of her life.
A perfect gift at coming-of-age, looking at the younger lives of people through history.
A stunningly beautiful, moving and thought-provoking celebration of our rivers, and a call to action.
A readable and inspiring guide on how the arts can help us emotionally, mentally and medically to be healthy, happy people!
A challenging, emotional but ultimately uplifting book which urges us all to make a difference.
A quirky, entertaining and enlightening view of women's careers in the 1950s through to the early 90s.
How we make things, why it matters and how we can do it better.
A brilliantly compelling account of finding a passion for working at sea as one of the industry's few female fishermen.
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 history of the House of Windsor, looking at the clothes that shaped them.
Travelling to Norway, James Rebanks meets a woman who lives alone on an island harvesting the down from ducks.
How simple acts of kindness can change the world, a memoir and interviews with scientists, researchers, activists, proving the point!
Why do we all feel so tired?! This book provides the answers and some solutions, with essays presented in a very readable, accessible A-Z format!
Who really cares for the countryside? Shocking, informative and brilliantly written.
A gripping read about an extraordinary life reporting at the frontline of world events over several decades!
Wonderfully informative and inspiring account of Orwell's appreciation of the natural world, leading us to explore many other facets of his life and ours.
When a medical student is involved in a life-changing accident, what does she do next?
A very readable, inspiring, and practical, appeal to follow your dream in life.
Why failing is important, and how we should learn to embrace it!
A very readable and practical guide to resisting visual manipulation all around us and instead make our visual landscape inspiring and empowering.
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.
How we built it, how it can help us, and how we can control it. A very readable, reassuring and enabling approach to the subject!
Discovering the relationship of artist and sitter through the artworks themselves.
A very enjoyable account of how one young man took a walk round Britain to get his life back on track.
Capitalism is dead and we are being ruled by the techno feudal overlords. Readable, accessible and a little bit terrifying.
An entertaining, but ultimately disturbing, investigation into conspiracy theories. We must all play our part in finding and telling the truth.
Why is everyone so rude? And what does this mean for our society, and for our future?
A powerful account of how nurses look after us all, and what we can learn from them. Inspiring, disturbing and challenging.
Why the Rule of Life outlined by St Benedict is relevant for us today.
The life of a teacher presented as a perfect mix of humour, poigancy, angst, frustration and inspiration. Had me laughing out loud!
A practical and encouraging guide to overcoming the fear and getting what you want out of life.