Uplifting nonfiction

If the current state of the world is filling you with anxiety, turn to these books for a reminder that there's good to be found, and good to be done. Whether you're looking for practical advice to make positive change, or need a reminder of the good things happening in Australia and across the globe, these books will help give you hope.

Cover image for We Can Do Better
Paperback

We Can Do Better

Maja Göpel, David Shaw (trans.)

After her previous book, Rethinking Our World, eloquently untangled the complex world we live in, Maja Göpel delivers the encouragement and the tools we need to go into action…

$32.99

In stock at 8 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 8 shops

Cover image for Not the End of the World
Paperback

Not the End of the World

Hannah Ritchie

The first book from an outstandingly talented science communicator - and the shot of hope we all need right now

$36.99

In stock at 7 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 7 shops

Cover image for Together We Can
Paperback

Together We Can

Claire O'Rourke

Inspiring stories about people around Australia who are taking action on climate change, helping create a better future for our children and for the planet, while at the same time…

$34.99

In stock at 2 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 2 shops

Cover image for If You Live To 100, You Might As Well Be Happy
Hardback

If You Live To 100, You Might As Well Be Happy

Rhee Kun Hoo, Suphil Lee Park (trans.)

This comforting Korean bestseller offers guidance for attaining ordinary happiness at any age and shows us that life is a story worth reading until the very last page.

$36.99

In stock at 8 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 8 shops

 Read review
Cover image for Give While You Live
Paperback

Give While You Live

Peter Winneke

What's your legacy? How much is enough? How do we get to more and better giving?

$39.99

In stock at 8 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 8 shops

 Read review
Cover image for Utopia for Realists: And How We Can Get There
Paperback

Utopia for Realists: And How We Can Get There

Rutger Bregman

We live in a time of unprecedented upheaval, with questions about the future, society, work, happiness, family and money, and yet no political party of the right or left is…

$22.99

In stock at 5 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 5 shops

Cover image for Urban Jungle: Wilding the City
Paperback

Urban Jungle: Wilding the City

Ben Wilson

Our modern-day cities might seem to represent our separation from the natural world. In fact, as Ben Wilson reveals in this captivating re-examination of urban landscapes around the world, nature…

$35.00

In stock at 3 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 3 shops

Cover image for The Laughter Effect
Paperback

The Laughter Effect

Ros Ben-Moshe

Turbocharge your humour, laughter and joy with this transformative body-mind guide by laughter wellness and positivity expert Ros Ben-Moshe

$34.99

In stock at 2 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 2 shops

Cover image for I Didn't Do the Thing Today
Paperback

I Didn’t Do the Thing Today

Madeleine Dore

An antidote to our obsession with busyness, author Madeleine Dore explores the joys of releasing ourselves from the burden of productivity guilt.

$35.99

Available to order, ships in approx 4 weeksAvailable to order

Cover image for The Dreaming Path
Paperback

The Dreaming Path

Paul Callaghan, Uncle Paul Gordon

The Dreaming Path has always been there, but in the modern-day world, it can be hard to find. There are so many demands on us - family, health, bills, a…

$24.99

In stock at 6 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 6 shops

Cover image for Women Who Run With The Wolves
Paperback

Women Who Run With The Wolves

Clarissa Pinkola Estes

‘Everyone should read this book’ Maya Angelou ‘Estes points to storytelling, our ancient narratives, as a way for women to reconnect to the Wild Woman all women have within themselves…

$35.00

In stock at 3 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 3 shops

Cover image for Kindness
Paperback

Kindness

Kath Koschel

Part stirring memoir and part empowering call to action, Kindness is a timely reminder that there is always light to be found, if only we look hard enough.

$32.99

Available to order, ships in 3-5 daysAvailable to order

Cover image for The Big Switch: Australia's Electric Future
Paperback

The Big Switch: Australia’s Electric Future

Saul Griffith

The climate action plan to create new jobs and a healthier environment: electrify everything.

$29.99

In stock at 4 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 4 shops

 Read review
Cover image for How to Talk About Climate Change in a Way That Makes a Difference
Paperback

How to Talk About Climate Change in a Way That Makes a Difference

Rebecca Huntley

A self-help book for the climate era, for readers of Ross Garnaut, Tim Flannery, Hugh Mackay

$34.99

In stock at 2 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 2 shops

Cover image for The Space Between the Stars
Hardback

The Space Between the Stars

Indira Naidoo

A deeply moving and uplifting exploration of the power of nature - even urban nature - to heal the deepest hurts.

$34.99

In stock at 4 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 4 shops

Cover image for The Anthropocene Reviewed
Paperback

The Anthropocene Reviewed

John Green

Mind-expanding essays on modern life and the human experience in the first non-fiction work by #1 internationally bestselling author John Green - one of the world's most beloved novelists.

A…

$24.99

In stock at 3 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 3 shops

Cover image for The Joy of Small Things
Paperback

The Joy of Small Things

Hannah Jane Parkinson

Drawn from the popular Guardian column these everyday exultations and inspirations will get you through dismal days.

$22.99

Available to order, ships in 3-5 daysAvailable to order

Cover image for The Korean Book of Happiness
Hardback

The Korean Book of Happiness

Barbara J. Zitwer

An accessible, entertaining foray into a beguiling country through cultural wisdom, travel anecdotes, etiquette and recipes.

$32.99

In stock at 2 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 2 shops

Cover image for The Kindness Revolution
Hardback

The Kindness Revolution

Hugh Mackay

Generous, erudite, optimistic and candid…Hugh Mackay encourages us to find the best in ourselves and in our society in both good and troubled times.

$34.99

In stock at 2 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 2 shops

Cover image for My Efficient Electric Home Handbook
Paperback

My Efficient Electric Home Handbook

Tim Forcey

Everything you need to know to transform your home - old, new or rented - for an efficient, comfortable, cheaper electric future.

$29.99

In stock at 8 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 8 shops

Cover image for H is for Hope
Hardback

H is for Hope

Elizabeth Kolbert, Wesley Allsbrook (illus.)

Climate change resists narrative and yet we must see clearly what's happening in our world. Millions of lives are at stake, and upwards of a million species. We must act

$34.99

In stock at 7 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 7 shops

Cover image for Renewal: Five Paths to a Fairer Australia
Paperback

Renewal: Five Paths to a Fairer Australia

Sophie Cousins

A progressive, solutions-driven examination of how we can collectively reshape and rebuild a better and fairer Australia in the midst of a global pandemic, climate change and urgent questions of…

$29.99

Available to order, ships in 3-5 daysAvailable to order

Cover image for Sweet in Tooth and Claw
Paperback

Sweet in Tooth and Claw

Kristin Ohlson

A revelatory work about the many connections and helping behaviours among plants, fungi, microbes, and animals, and the implications of this reality for the way we manage our forests, wilderness…

$32.99

Available to order, ships in 3-5 daysAvailable to order

Cover image for What We Owe the Future: The Million-Year View
Paperback

What We Owe the Future: The Million-Year View

William MacAskill

We are remarkably early in the story of human civilisation.

$32.99

Available to order, ships in 3-5 daysAvailable to order