Best selling Non-fiction from Penguin Random House
On this page you'll find a ranking of the best Penguin Random House products in this category. To give you a quick overview, we've already ranked the most important information about the products for you.
1. Penguin Random House Invisible Women
The Sunday Times number one bestseller with over half a million copies sold, "Invisible Women" uncovers the shocking gender bias that affects our everyday lives. Caitlin Moran describes it as "hell yes. This is one of those books that has the potential to change things - a monumental piece of research."
Imagine a world where your phone is too big for your hand, your doctor prescribes a drug that is wrong for your body, or in a car accident, you are 47% more likely to be injured. If any of that sounds familiar, chances are you're a woman.
From government policy and medical research to technology, workplaces, and the media, "Invisible Women" reveals how a world built for and by men systematically ignores half of the population, often with disastrous consequences. Caroline Criado Perez brings together an impressive range of case studies, stories, and new research from across the globe that illustrate the hidden ways in which women are forgotten and the profound impact this has on us all.
Discover more in Caroline's new podcast, "Visible Women." The Sunday Times calls it "a book that changes the way you see the world," while Jeanette Winterson describes it as "revelatory, frightening, hopeful.".
2. Penguin Random House Matrescence
A New Statesman and Daily Mail Book of the Year
"The best book I've ever read about motherhood." - Jude Rogers, Observer
"I kept scribbling in the margins: 'We need to know this stuff!'" - Joanna Pocock, Spectator
A radical new examination of the transition into motherhood and how it affects the mind, brain, and body. During pregnancy, childbirth, and early motherhood, women undergo a far-reaching physiological, psychological, and social metamorphosis. There is no other time in a human's life course that entails such dramatic change, other than adolescence. Yet, this life-altering transition has been sorely neglected by science, medicine, and philosophy. Its seismic effects go largely unrepresented across literature and the arts. Speaking about motherhood as anything other than a pastel-hued dream remains, for the most part, taboo.
In this groundbreaking, deeply personal investigation, acclaimed journalist and author Lucy Jones brings to light the emerging concept of 'matrescence.' Drawing on new research across various fields—neuroscience and evolutionary biology, psychoanalysis and existential therapy, sociology, economics, and ecology—Jones shows how the changes in the maternal mind, brain, and body are far more profound, wild, and enduring than we have been led to believe. She reveals the dangerous consequences of our neglect of the maternal experience and interrogates the patriarchal and capitalist systems that have created the untenable situation mothers face today.
Here is an urgent examination of the modern institution of motherhood, which seeks to unshackle all parents from oppressive social norms. As it deepens our understanding of matrescence, it raises vital questions about motherhood and femininity, interdependence and individual identity, as well as about our relationships with each other and the living world.
3. Penguin Random House How to Win At Chess
Learn chess from international master and YouTube's best chess teacher Levy Rozman, also known as GothamChess, in this refreshing and entertaining guide for beginners and advanced players. "How to Win at Chess" teaches you everything you need to know about the game, including all the important moves and strategies to start strong and think several steps ahead.
Full of Levy Rozman's characteristic charm and humor that have made him popular with millions of fans, the first half of this unique guide introduces aspiring players (0-800 Elo rating) to the four key areas to consider when playing chess: openings, endgames, tactics, and strategy. The second half builds on these core skills for more experienced players (800-1300 Elo rating).
Packed with practical and easy-to-understand tips to improve your game, "How to Win at Chess" includes over 500 illustrative game guides to help you visualize the board better, as well as chapter-specific QR codes for exclusive bonus content on Chessly, Rozman's teaching platform. Whether you want to become a casual chess player or train to become a grandmaster, "How to Win at Chess" is the perfect interactive introduction to the world of chess.
4. Penguin Random House The World for Sale
"The World for Sale" is an insightful non-fiction book that sheds light on the complex and often unknown mechanisms of global commodity trading. The authors, Javier Blas and Jack Farchy, take readers on a journey through the world of commodity traders who operate behind the scenes and control the supply of energy, food, and metals. In a time when energy crises and food shortages are on the rise, it becomes clear how these traders earn billions through strategic deals and risky decisions. The book not only offers fascinating insights into the world of commodities but also highlights the far-reaching impacts of these trades on the global economy and politics. The gripping narrative and in-depth analyses make it an essential work for anyone looking to understand the dynamics of the international economy.
5. Penguin Random House Allen Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking
Read this book and you'll never smoke another cigarette again. Allen Carr has discovered a method of quitting that will enable any smoker to stop easily, immediately, and permanently. Allen Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking is the one that really works. It is the world's bestselling book on how to stop smoking, with over nine million copies sold worldwide.
The unique method includes no scare tactics and no weight gain. The psychological need to smoke disappears as you read, allowing you to feel great as a non-smoker. Join the 25 million men and women that Allen Carr has helped stop smoking.
Testimonials: "Giving up smoking was one of the biggest achievements of my life. I read Allen Carr's book and would recommend it to anybody trying to kick the habit." - Michael McIntyre.
6. Penguin Random House Breakneck
"Breakneck" is a captivating account of China's impressive progress, offering a new perspective on the country's rise. Technology analyst Dan Wang, who has lived in China for the past six years, describes the complex relationship between China and the West. In this book, China is portrayed as an engineering state boldly undertaking megaprojects, while the USA is depicted as a law firm that often blocks everything. Wang analyzes the economic and political dynamics that have shaped China's ascent and highlights the social costs associated with this development, such as the impacts of the zero-Covid policy and the one-child policy. Through his explorations of China's vibrant cities and factories, Wang combines political and economic analyses with journalistic reporting to illuminate the ambitions of the Communist Party and their effects on the population. In a time when the USA and China are preparing for a new Cold War, "Breakneck" provides valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of the engineering state and urges readers to take China's global ambitions seriously.
7. Penguin Random House Surrounded by Idiots
"Surrounded by Idiots" is an insightful guide by Thomas Erikson that explores the four types of human behavior and offers strategies for effective communication in various areas of life. The book is aimed at readers who want to enhance their interpersonal skills in both professional and personal settings. With a clear focus on family, parenting, and partnerships, the author provides valuable insights that enable understanding and addressing the different behaviors of people. The paperback format and the comprehensive page count of 400 make it a handy and informative companion. Published in 2025, this work not only offers theoretical foundations but also practical tips to avoid misunderstandings and build harmonious relationships. The book's English language allows a wide readership to benefit from its insights. "Surrounded by Idiots" is thus an essential tool for anyone looking to expand their communication skills and improve the dynamics of their interpersonal relationships.
8. Penguin Random House Everything I Know About Love
'Alderton is Nora Ephron for the millennial generation' Elizabeth Day
'With courageous honesty, Alderton documents the highs and the lows - the sex, the drugs, the nightmare landlords, the heartaches and the humiliations. Deeply funny, sometimes shocking, and admirably open-hearted and optimistic' Daily Telegraph
'A sensitive, astute and funny account of growing up millennial' Observer
'The book we will thrust into our friends' hands . . . that will help heal a broken heart. Alderton's wise words can resonate with women of all ages. She feels like a best friend and your older sister all rolled into one and her pages wrap around you like a warm hug' Evening Standard
'I loved its truth, self awareness, humour and most of all, its heart-spilling generosity' Sophie Dahl
'Steeped in furiously funny accounts of one-night stands, ill-advised late-night taxi journeys up the M1, grubby flat-shares and the beauty of female friendships, as Alderton joyfully booze-cruises her way through her twenties' Metro
'Alderton proves a razor-sharp observer of the shifting dynamics of long term female friendship' Mail on Sunday
'It's so full of life and laughs - I gobbled up this book. Alderton has built something beautiful and true out of many fragments of daftness' Amy Liptrot.
9. Penguin Random House The Interior Design Handbook
The bestselling Swedish phenomenon. What looks good and why? Design consultant Frida Ramstedt runs Scandinavia's leading interior design blog. In this book, she distills the secrets of successful interior design and styling to help you create a home that works best for your space, taste, and lifestyle. Filled with practical tips, rules of thumb, and tricks of the trade, The Interior Design Handbook will help you think like a professional designer. Frida has created this guide to interior design, featuring useful information that has taken years to learn, all in one place. Beautifully illustrated with handy line drawings, The Interior Design Handbook gets down to the nitty-gritty of successfully putting a room together. Take it to bed, and you'll be utterly engrossed and enlightened.
10. Penguin Random House The Anxious Generation
"The Anxious Generation" by Jonathan Haidt is a profound examination of the troubling development of mental health among adolescents in the digital age. In this non-fiction book, Haidt analyzes the alarming increases in depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide among teenagers that have been observed since the early 2010s. He highlights the role of smartphones, social media, and large technology companies in this crisis and provides a well-founded analysis of the impacts on childhood. Haidt argues that the shift from a playful childhood to a virtual world has catastrophic consequences, particularly for girls. The book is not only a critical engagement with the challenges facing today's youth but also a call for healthier and freer growing up. It is aimed at parents, educators, and anyone concerned about the future of the next generation.
