The Women’s Prize for Non Fiction Shortlist 2025

The @Womens_Prize for Nonfiction Shortlist is out and I give you my thoughts and reactions and I unbox it. I will be reading the shortlist over the next few months and @louisesavidgemuses4135 and I will be joining forces to rank both Women’s Prize shortlists and predict our winners in June. #booktube #womensprize #books

Books Mentioned…

A Thousand Threads by Neneh Cherry
The Story of a Heart by Rachel Clarke
Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton
Agent Zo by Clare Mulley
What The Wild Sea Can Be by Helen Scales
Private Revolutions by Yuan Yang

Me Elsewhere…

[louisesavidgemuses]

You know me so well 😂😂😂 Hope you enjoy reading these as much as I did - you have some total gems in store. Look forward to discussing these with you in June ❤❤❤

[amivanzyl]

A prologue actually starts the story (often it focuses on context before the first chapter), while a prelude is usually more of an introduction to the tone and feel of the story. Both terms come from theatre and a prologue is spoken, whereas a prelude was often a short musical performance. I don't think they're used very discriminately any more but would be interesting to hear how these books use them!

[emmaeIIe]

I watched all of your mum's videos about the books on the nonfiction shortlist. She described them so well that I decided to read a few, which I managed to reserve at my local library. I also don't particularly enjoy reading books about World War II, but Agent Zo sounds quite intriguing... and fresh (different from the French resistance).

[Ali-AvidReader]

I think it’s a great list! Looking forward to yours next week!

[cecilialau_]

I had watched your mum’s video first and it was so fun to hear you predict before the reveal - you were brill! 🙌
I cannot recommend it highly enough to listen to Neneh Cherry on audio. It was a really special experience even more so by her using the Swedish words for grandmother etc. Really want to read Private Revolutions too.
I loved Ootlin (f me, it’s a heartbreaking read) and also want to read By the Fire We Carry at some point. But what a fab shortlist!

[CharlieBrookReads]

I love this shortlist. The judges did a brilliant job picking them especially as the longlist was good. 4 of the books I gave 5 ⭐️’s 📚❤ Thank you for reading the first lines, it’s fun to hear them side by side.

[debrahills]

I like this list! I just finished reading Raising Hare and loved it. I think I’ll
head to I’ll head to Neneh Cherry next…

[SaraHaug-wg]

I am super motivated to read this list, I think it looks so good!

[cindyhaiken]

Well done in guessing which books Louise would be rooting for and this is a great entry point into this year’s shortlist. I’ve read all six and definitely have some I am rooting for more than others. Like you and others, I am very disappointed not to see Ootlin and I was also rooting hard for The Eagle and the Hart. But this is a strong shortlist from a terrific longlist. Now onto fiction!

[janebowell]

🎉🎉 Such an exciting list ! Thank you for the super vlog and box opening, Simon. Now I m popping over your mum’s reaction.

[still-reading]

I'm behind watching, but you ask for suggestions of nonfiction by women, so here are two of mine. I read a lot of history and nature books, so I'll recommend Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Anne Dillard, which won the Pulitzer for nonfiction in 1975, and Penelope's Bones: A New History of Homer’s World through the Women Written Out of It, (titled Mythica in the UK) by Emily Hauser. Both are readable and fascinating.

I loved this video! Your enthusiasm is so fun to watch.

[jenisalwaysreading]

You are in for such a treat with Neneh’s book! I was looking forward to it the least but now I’m rooting for it to win 😂

[fozzymup]

I want to read Raising Hare soon, but I'm interested in a few of them! Best Wishes 💕

[booksandbags]

I read nine books, and four of my wishlist books made the shortlist. I need to read What the Wild Sea Can Be and complete the long list, but I've enjoyed every book so far. I hope your experience is just as enjoyable.

[dunkbiscuit]

Read Raising Hare and Agent Zo. Both excellent

[taneesewilson]

I agree Simon and excited to read this Non fiction SL as well. Can’t read TSOAH as too close to home but I’m sure it’s very good. Anyway, time to get reading!😁📚

[umituysal]

Hello from a cold morning in Turkey! I actually quite surprised that the peepshow couldn't make the shortlist

[SarahSazSarah]

I have just read ‘A Story Of A Heart’ - I think it might just be the best book I have ever read!!

[sarahwallace]

I'm pleased to see 'Raising Hare' and 'What The Wild Sea Can Be' - but no 'Ootlin'! I'm really surprised at that.

[gilliansawers]

Saw a fox 🦊in my garden for the first time yesterday must have been sun bathing as it ran away when I spotted it in broad daylight!