See some of the best non-fiction books of 2022 so far, as well as more great titles coming this year.
The best non-fiction books of 2022 from Dr Julie Smith, James Patterson, Julia Gillard and more.
Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? by Dr Julie Smith
If you liked Atomic Habits, consider Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? a must-read. Full of simple, straightforward advice, this book provides plenty of tools to help you change your life for the better. By TikTok sensation and clinical psychologist Dr Julie Smith, the book is warm and informal, making it an approachable read for everyone.
SELF-HELP • PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Patting the Shark by Tim Baker
Tim Baker was living the dream. A beautiful family, a lifetime of exotic travel, and a beach-side home. But it all came toppling down when he received a surprise diagnosis: stage four, metastatic prostate cancer. Tim’s account is raw and vulnerable as it brings awareness to the disease that affects one in seven men in Australia.
MEMOIR • POIGNANT
Diana, William, and Harry by James Patterson
Twenty-five years after her tragic death, bestselling author James Patterson tells the story of Princess Diana’s life as a mother and global icon. The heartbreaking, true account shines a light on the strength of her love for her sons – a trait that remains an enduring inspiration for the entire world today.
TRUE STORIES • ROYAL FAMILY
Embrace Kids by Taryn Brumfitt and Zali Yager
Imagine a world where young people don’t feel held back by their bodies. That’s what Taryn Brumfitt and Dr Zali Yager set out to inspire in writing Embrace Kids, a body-positive handbook for parents, children, and teens. Coinciding with Brumfitt’s new documentary of the same name, the book helps parents understand their own journey and instil self-love in their children.
FAMILY & HEALTH • PSYCHOLOGY • PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Smart, Stupid and Sixty by Nigel Marsh
From the bestselling author of Fat, Forty and Fired and TED talk speaker Nigel Marsh comes Smart, Stupid and Sixty. Chronicling Nigel’s own experience of turning sixty, the book offers both humour and poignancy in its observations on the ‘third trimester’ of life.
MEMOIR • PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
POWER by Kemi Nekvapil
Blending inspiring stories with author Kemi Nekvapil’s reflective coaching practices, POWER provides the tools to navigate challenges ranging from discrimination to self-doubt. Having grown up in foster care, Kemi was forced to learn to make her own choices and use her voice without apology.
SELF-HELP • PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Mezcla by Ixta Belfrage
From the co-author of Ottolenghi FLAVOUR comes this fun, flavour-packed cookbook dedicated to everyday eating with special occasion energy. In Spanish, mezcla means mix and that’s exactly what these recipes do by reinventing ‘fusion’ flavours. The book includes several quick, flavourful recipes that are sure to become a staple in your cooking rotation.
COOKBOOK • FOOD & DRINK
The Scrap Iron Flotilla by Mike Carlton
When the British asked Australia for help at the outbreak of World War II, the government sent five destroyers to help bolster the British Royal Navy in the Mediterranean. The Nazis dismissed them as a load of scrap iron, but the destroyers played a pivotal role in escorting troop and supply convoys throughout the war.
HISTORY • WARFARE
Time Wise by Amantha Imber
Learn how to level up your life with advice from behavioural scientist and podcast host Amantha Imber. Drawing on the habits of the world’s most highly effective people, Time Wise is a toolkit of proven strategies that will help you improve your productivity in every sector of your life. Whether you’re a CEO or a university student, this research-backed guide will help you achieve more in less time.
BUSINESS • MANAGEMENT • PRODUCTIVITY
His Name is George Floyd by Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa
Written by two award-winning reporters, this book is the only definitive biography of George Floyd. By zooming in on the portrait of this one life, the authors deliver a powerful exploration of institutional racism and a public reckoning of unprecedented breadth and intensity.
BIOGRAPHY • TRUE STORIES
Reckoning by David Hill
Reckoning is a heartbreaking account of the abuse that author David Hill and other Forgotten Children survived at the Fairbridge Farm School in New South Wales. Part memoir, part oral history, the book recounts the shocking systemic abuse of innocent children. The book catalysed a battle for justice, which resulted in the Fairbridge kids being awarded a record $24 million in compensation by the NSW Supreme Court.
NON-FICTION PROSE
How Civil Wars Start by Barbara F. Walter
Most of us don’t know it, but we are living in the world’s greatest era of civil wars. Since 1946, over 250 armed conflicts have broken out around the world, and that number continues to rise today. How Civil Wars Start outlines why they happen and how to avoid them in the hopes of providing a path back toward peace.
SOCIETY & CULTURE • LAW • POLITICS
How to Prevent the Next Pandemic by Bill Gates
In 2014, Bill Gates gave a now-famous TED talk that warned of the arrival of pandemics in the near future – a prediction that was recently proven correct with the outbreak of COVID-19. Drawing on his studies of pandemics and firsthand experience with the Gates Foundation, the book outlines what we can all do to help prevent another pandemic.
MEDICINE • ECONOMICS • SCIENCE
The Palace Papers by Tina Brown
Bestselling author Tina Brown provides an explosive insider look at the Royal Family over the last twenty years. Based on unprecedented sources and research, the book takes readers behind palace walls to tell the real story of the Windsors since the death of Diana.
BIOGRAPHY • ROYAL FAMILY
Coming Soon
Not Now, Not Ever by Julia Gillard
Ten years on from Julia Gillard’s famous misogyny speech, Not Now, Not Ever explores the history and culture of misogyny and gender in the media and politics. With contributions from several experts and artists, the book explores a roadmap for the future with next-generation feminists Sally Scales, Chanel Contos and Caitlin Figueiredo. Out 5 October 2022.
BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT • FEMENISM • POLITICS
Bryce Courtenay: Storyteller by Christine Courtenay
Told by the late Bryce Courtenay’s wife, Christine Courtenay, this long-awaited memoir of the Australian author reads like one of his epic fictions. With a look back at Courtenay’s personal story, the book chronicles his 34-year career in advertising and the bestselling writing that followed it. Out 1 November 2022.
BIOGRAPHY • MEMOIR • AUSTRALIAN AUTHOR
Investing with She’s on the Money by Victoria Devine
From the podcaster and bestselling author of She’s on the Money, Victoria Devine comes this guide to building wealth through investing. Covering topics like superannuation, the stock market, and property investment, the book sets out to provide women with the guidance and education to build future wealth in no time. Out 20 September 2022.
SELF-HELP • FINANCE • INVESTING
The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama
The Light We Carry is a powerful, insightful follow-up to Michelle Obama’s bestselling memoir Becoming. Opening a frank dialogue with readers, Michelle considers the questions that many of us grapple with in everyday life. With the same humour and compassion that made Becoming a bestseller, this book shares the habits she has developed to overcome obstacles. Out 16 November 2022.
SELF-HELP • MEMOIR • PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Logan Martin: Journey to Gold by Logan Martin
In Logan Martin: Journey to Gold, the Olympic gold medallist and X-Games champion shares his inspiring journey to the top of the BMX freestyle podium. This testament to his dedication and self-discipline provides a peek into Logan’s life – from his smooth confidence to attention-grabbing tattoos. Out 18 October 2022.
BIOGRAPHY • BMX • ATHLETE
Fifteen Seconds of Brave by Melissa Doyle
In this intimate and insightful book, award-winning journalist Melissa Doyle shares the stories of the most resilient people she has met throughout her 25-year-long career. Calling on her years of reporting from the front lines of triumph and tragedy, Melissa lays out the hard-won wisdom that the survivors she’d met shared with her throughout her career. Out 1 November 2022.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT • TRUE STORIES
Want more non-fiction? Check out this book list featuring non-fiction must-reads of 2022.
In honour of International Women’s Day, we asked some of our inspiring women authors to share the books they love.
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Bryce Courtenay: Storyteller is a memoir of Australia’s most beloved writer, written by his wife Christine Courtenay. Bryce Courtenay wrote twenty-one books in twenty-three years, and this candid, loving tribute reveals the man behind the books. But where should you start with Bryce’s work?
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