The six books that make up the first ever Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction shortlist are diverse in subject matter but united in their originality.

So, stop what you are doing and take a seat, because the inaugural Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction shortlist is here!

The six books cover a broad range of subjects – from life writing, religion, art and history, to AI, social media and online politics. What links them is an originality of voice and an ability to turn complex ideas and personal trauma into inventive, compelling and immersive prose.

The 2024 shortlist takes readers to new places and introduces new perspectives, offering an alternative lens through which we can examine our past, present and impending future.

Our magnificent shortlist is made up of six powerful, impressive books that are characterised by the brilliance and beauty of their writing and which each offer a unique, original perspective. The readers of these books will never see the world – be it through art, history, landscape, politics, religion or technology – the same again.

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb, Chair of Judges, Broadcaster and Writer

The shortlist consists of works that either challenge prevalent ideas or reclaim narratives from our past, whilst breaking new ground in non-fiction writing. So without further ado, introducing the 2024 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction shortlist…

The full list in alphabetical order by author surname is:

The 2024 Women's Prize for Non-Fiction shortlist

Shortlist 6 - titles