Non-fiction

Category: Social issues

The books here are listed alphabetically by authors' surnames.

by Tom Allan
Combining history and travel writing with the memoir of a young man's apprenticeship to become a master thatcher. Brilliant!
by Anthea Allen
A diary of nursing on a Covid ward. It is a description of selfless, tireless, dedicated caring and it's inspiring, encouraging and uplifting.
by Robert Ashton
Part memoir, part social history, inspired by George Ewart Evan's book from 1956, this is a mesmerising account of Suffolk village life.
by Carol Atherton
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.
by Ruth Binney
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.
by Rutger Bregman
Throughout history we've been taught that humans are inherently selfish and motivated by self-interest. But is it really the case?
by Dorothy Byrne
Packed with thought-provoking material, written by the head of news and current affairs at Channel Four, Dorothy Byrne.
by Charles Duhigg
Some people are great at facilitating discussions and aiding decisionmaking. What can we learn from them?
by Philippa Forrester
Exploring the lives of women working and living in the natural environment and the qualities they need to survive and thrive.
by Patrick Grant
A compelling and convincing argument about how we should revisit our attitude towards acquiring 'things' and following fast fashion.
by Christina Lamb
A hotel opened its doors to the homeless of Shrewsbury during Covid. This is an account of what happened.
by Alice Loxton
A perfect gift at coming-of-age, looking at the younger lives of people through history.
by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross
A readable and inspiring guide on how the arts can help us emotionally, mentally and medically to be healthy, happy people!
by Michael Mansfield
A challenging, emotional but ultimately uplifting book which urges us all to make a difference.
by Ysenda Maxtone Graham
A quirky, entertaining and enlightening view of women's careers in the 1950s through to the early 90s.
by Ashley Mullenger
A brilliantly compelling account of finding a passion for working at sea as one of the industry's few female fishermen.
by Tim Owen Mike Palmer and Andy Airey
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.
by John Simpson
A gripping read about an extraordinary life reporting at the frontline of world events over several decades!
by Rebecca Solnit
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.
by Matthew Syed
Why failing is important, and how we should learn to embrace it!
by Marine Tanguy
A very readable and practical guide to resisting visual manipulation all around us and instead make our visual landscape inspiring and empowering.
by Emma Tarlo
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!
by Nigel Toon
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!
by Jake Tyler
A very enjoyable account of how one young man took a walk round Britain to get his life back on track.
by Yanis Varoufakis
Capitalism is dead and we are being ruled by the techno feudal overlords. Readable, accessible and a little bit terrifying.
by Danny Wallace
An entertaining, but ultimately disturbing, investigation into conspiracy theories. We must all play our part in finding and telling the truth.
by Danny Wallace
Why is everyone so rude? And what does this mean for our society, and for our future?
by Christie Watson
A powerful account of how nurses look after us all, and what we can learn from them. Inspiring, disturbing and challenging.
by Rowan Williams
Why the Rule of Life outlined by St Benedict is relevant for us today.
by Ryan Wilson
The life of a teacher presented as a perfect mix of humour, poigancy, angst, frustration and inspiration. Had me laughing out loud!