22 Books to Read in 2022

As an English major, I have a deep love for the power of books. They tell stories that bring people together, teach people about themselves, and push for change. The written word can bring so many rich, valuable voices to the forefront of our world, providing important insight into the lives we live today.

I set aside a Saturday evening to search through book lists and review sites in order to bring you twenty-two of the most interesting-looking new releases of 2022. I took a deep dive into the internet to put together a catalog of diverse stories, voices and genres. The list that I have compiled here are books that sparked my interest, and, at times, pushed me outside of my comfort genres and zones to find voices that I have not encountered before. There’s everything from lighthearted YA novels to hard-hitting historical fiction, and I hope that it serves a wide variety of audiences.

In honor of Women’s History Month, I’ve included titles from women of varied backgrounds, passions, and storytelling styles. Danyel Smith writes about the history of black women in pop music, Isabel Allende tells the story of a woman whose life is bookended by pandemics, Laura Gao highlights her experience as a Wuhanese-American in the form of a graphic novel, and Jane Holloway edits an anthology of poetic works about the meaning of home. Wherever your interests may lie, I hope that you’ll have the chance to explore new voices and celebrate the stories that they have to tell.

As a disclaimer, I have not read any of these books yet, simply because the majority of them have not been released. Their inclusion on this list was based on an interest in their synopses and any pre-reviews or current reviews that existed on various book platforms. If you are interested, I encourage you to delve deeper and do some exploring of your own. I hope that you’ll discover something new and, perhaps, find a new book to engage with and love. Wishing you happy reading!

Nonfiction:

“Dark and Magical Places: The Neuroscience of Navigation” by Christopher Kemp
Available Now (as of Jan. 20, 2022)

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Inside our heads we carry around an infinite and endlessly unfolding map of the world. Navigation is one of the most ancient neural abilities we have—older than language. In “Dark and Magical Places,” Christopher Kemp embarks on a journey to discover the remarkable extent of what our minds can do… A book for anyone who has ever felt compelled to venture off the beaten path, “Dark and Magical Places” is a stirring reminder of the beauty in losing yourself to your surroundings. And the beauty in understanding how our brains can guide us home.

“Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop” by Danyel Smith
Available Apr. 19, 2022

Synopsis from Penguin Random House:

A weave of biography, criticism, and memoir, “Shine Bright” is Danyel Smith’s intimate history of Black women’s music as the foundational story of American pop. Smith has been writing this history for more than five years. But as a music fan, and then as an essayist, editor (Vibe, Billboard), and podcast host (Black Girl Songbook), she has been living this history since she was a latchkey kid listening to ‘Midnight Train to Georgia’ on the family stereo.

Fiction:

“No Land to Light On” by Yara Zgheib
Available Now (as of Jan. 4, 2022)

Synopsis from Goodreads:

“Exit West” meets “An American Marriage'' in this breathtaking and evocative novel about a young Syrian couple in the throes of new love, on the cusp of their bright future…when a travel ban rips them apart on the eve of their son’s birth … Achingly intimate yet poignantly universal, “No Land to Light On” is the story of a family caught up in forces beyond their control, fighting for the freedom and home they found in one another.” 

“True Biz” by Sara Nović
Available Apr. 5, 2022

Synopsis from Penguin Random House:

A transporting novel that follows a year of seismic romantic, political, and familial shifts for a teacher and her students at a boarding school for the deaf, from the acclaimed author of “Girl at War”… This is a story of sign language and lip-reading, disability and civil rights, isolation and injustice, first love and loss, and, above all, great persistence, daring, and joy. Absorbing and assured, idiosyncratic and relatable, this is an unforgettable journey into the Deaf community and a universal celebration of human connection.

“Night of the Living Rez” by Morgan Talty
Available Jul. 5, 2022

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Set in a Native community in Maine, “Night of the Living Rez” is a riveting debut collection about what it means to be Penobscot in the twenty-first century and what it means to live, to survive, and to persevere after tragedy… In a collection that examines the consequences and merits of inheritance, “Night of the Living Rez” is an unforgettable portrayal of a Native community and marks the arrival of a standout talent in contemporary fiction.

Historical Fiction:

“Violeta” by Isabel Allende (translated by Frances Riddle)
Available Now (as of Jan. 25, 2022)

Synopsis from Goodreads:

This sweeping novel from the New York Times bestselling author of “A Long Petal of the Sea” tells the epic story of Violeta del Valle, a woman whose life spans one hundred years and bears witness to the greatest upheavals of the twentieth century… Told through the eyes of a woman whose unforgettable passion, determination, and sense of humor will carry her through a lifetime of upheaval, Isabel Allende once more brings us an epic that is both fiercely inspiring and deeply emotional.

“Woman of Light” by Kali Fajardo-Anstineu
Available Jun. 7, 2022

Synopsis from Penguin Random House:

A dazzling epic of betrayal, love, and fate that spans five generations of an Indigenous Chicano family in the American West, from the author of the National Book Award finalist “Sabrina & Corina”…the wildly entertaining and complex lives of the Lopez family fill the pages of this multigenerational western saga. “Woman of Light” is a transfixing novel about survival, family secrets, and love—filled with an unforgettable cast of characters, all of whom are just as special, memorable, and complicated as our beloved heroine, Luz.

“Horse” by Geraldine Brooks
Available Jun. 14, 2022

Synopsis from Penguin Random House:

A discarded painting in a junk pile, a skeleton in an attic, and the greatest racehorse in American history: from these strands, a Pulitzer Prize winner braids a sweeping story of spirit, obsession, and injustice across American history…Based on the remarkable true story of the record-breaking thoroughbred Lexington, “Horse” is a novel of art and science, love and obsession, and our unfinished reckoning with racism.

Science Fiction:

“Mickey7” by Edward Ashton
Available Now (as of Feb. 2, 2022)

Synopsis from Macmillan Books:

Mickey7 is an Expendable: a disposable employee on a human expedition sent to colonize the ice world Niflheim. Whenever there’s a mission that’s too dangerous—even suicidal—the crew turns to Mickey. After one iteration dies, a new body is regenerated with most of his memories intact. After six deaths, Mickey7 understands the terms of his deal…and why it was the only colonial position unfilled when he took it.

Note: Soon to be adapted into a movie by Bong Joon Ho (dir. “Parasite”), starring Robert Pattinson.

“Sea of Tranquility” by Emily St. John Mandel
Available Apr. 5, 2022

Synopsis from Penguin Random House:

“The award-winning, best-selling author of “Station Eleven” and “The Glass Hotel” returns with a novel of art, time, love, and plague that takes the reader from Vancouver Island in 1912 to a dark colony on the moon five hundred years later, unfurling a story of humanity across centuries and space…A virtuoso performance that is as human and tender as it is intellectually playful, “Sea of Tranquility” is a novel of time travel and metaphysics that precisely captures the reality of our current moment.”

Personal Growth:

“Toxic Positivity” by Whitney Goodman
Available Now (as of Feb. 1, 2022)

Synopsis from Penguin Random House:

In this refreshingly honest guide, sought-after therapist Whitney Goodman shares the latest research along with everyday examples and client stories that reveal how damaging toxic positivity is to ourselves and our relationships, and presents simple ways to experience and work through difficult emotions. The result is more authenticity, connection, and growth—and ultimately, a path to showing up as you truly are.

“Find Your People” by Jennie Allen
Available Now (as of Feb. 22, 2022)

Synopsis from Penguin Random House:

In a world that’s both more connected and more isolating than ever before, we’re often tempted to do life alone, whether because we’re so busy or because relationships feel risky and hard. But science confirms that consistent, meaningful connection with others has a powerful impact on our well-being. We are meant to live known and loved…In “Find Your People,” you’ll discover exactly how to dive into the deep end and experience the full wonder of community.

Young Adult:

“Daughter of the Moon Goddess” by Sue Lynn Tan
Available Now (As of Jan. 11, 2022)

Synopsis from Goodreads:

A captivating debut fantasy inspired by the legend of Chang'e, the Chinese moon goddess, in which a young woman’s quest to free her mother pits her against the most powerful immortal in the realm… “Daughter of the Moon Goddess” begins an enchanting, romantic duology which weaves ancient Chinese mythology into a sweeping adventure of immortals and magic—where love vies with honor, dreams are fraught with betrayal, and hope emerges triumphant.

“You, Me, and Our Heartstrings” by Melissa See
Available July 19, 2022

Synopsis from Barnes and Noble:

“Noah, a cello prodigy from a long line of musicians, wants to stick to tradition. Daisy, a fiercely independent disabled violinist, is used to fighting for what she wants and likes to take risks. But the two surprise each other when they play. They fall perfectly in tune… Daisy is tired of her disability being the only thing people see about her, and all of the attention sends Noah’s anxiety disorder into high speed. They can see their dream coming closer than it’s ever been before. But is the cost suddenly too high?”

“The Lies We Tell” by Katie Zhao
Available Aug. 9, 2022

Synopsis from Barnes and Noble:

From the author of “How We Fall Apart” comes a tense and thrilling YA about what it means to not feel safe in the places we call home… “The Lies We Tell” is a social activism/we all belong here anthem crossed with a thriller and with a rivals-to-romance relationship set on a college campus.

Memoir:

“The Beauty of Dusk” by Frank Bruni
Available Now (As Mar. 1, 2022)

Synopsis from Simon & Schuster:

From New York Times columnist and bestselling author Frank Bruni comes a wise and moving memoir about aging, affliction, and optimism after partially losing his eyesight… The result is a poignant, probing, and ultimately uplifting examination of the limits that all of us inevitably encounter, the lenses through which we choose to evaluate them and the tools we have for perseverance. Bruni’s world blurred in one sense, as he experienced his first real inklings that the day isn’t forever and that light inexorably fades, but sharpened in another. Confronting unexpected hardship, he felt more blessed than ever before. There was vision lost. There was also vision found.

“Messy Roots” by Laura Gao
Available Now (As of Mar. 8, 2022)

Synopsis from Goodreads:

“After spending her early years in Wuhan, China, riding water buffalos and devouring stinky tofu, Laura immigrates to Texas, where her hometown is as foreign as Mars–at least until 2020, when COVID-19 makes Wuhan a household name. In “Messy Roots,” Laura illustrates her coming-of-age as the girl who simply wants to make the basketball team, escape Chinese school, and figure out why girls make her heart flutter. Insightful, original, and hilarious, toggling seamlessly between past and present, China and America, Gao's debut is a tour de force of graphic storytelling.”

Mystery:

“The Violin Conspiracy” by Brendan Slocumb
Available Now (as of Feb. 1, 2022)

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Ray McMillian loves playing the violin more than anything, and nothing will stop him from pursuing his dream of becoming a professional musician…And when he makes the startling discovery that his great-grandfather's fiddle is actually a priceless Stradivarius, his star begins to rise. Then with the international Tchaikovsky Competition—the Olympics of classical music—fast approaching, his prized family heirloom is stolen…But now his family and the descendants of the man who once enslaved Ray's great-grandfather are each claiming that the violin belongs to them. With the odds stacked against him and the pressure mounting, will Ray ever see his beloved violin again?

“Summer’s Edge” by Dana Mele
Available May 31, 2022

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Emily Joiner was once part of an inseparable group—she was a sister, a best friend, a lover, and a rival. Summers without Emily were unthinkable. Until the fire burned the lake house to ashes with her inside…. Eerie events culminate in a stunning accusation: Emily’s death wasn’t an accident. And all the clues needed to find the person responsible are right here. As old betrayals rise to the surface, Chelsea and her friends have one night to unravel a mystery spanning three summers before a killer among them exacts their revenge.

Graphic Novel:

“How to Take Over the World” by Ryan North
Available Mar. 15, 2022

Synopsis from Penguin Random House:

Taking over the world is a lot of work. Any supervillain is bound to have questions: What’s the perfect location for a floating secret base? What zany heist will fund my widely ambitious plans? How do I control the weather, destroy the internet, and never, ever die?

In this introduction to the science of comic-book supervillainy, [Ryan North] details a number of outlandish villainous schemes that harness the potential of today’s most advanced technologies… You don’t have to be a criminal mastermind to share a supervillain’s interest in cutting-edge science and technology. This book doesn’t just reveal how to take over the world–it also shows how you could save it.

“Squire” by Sara Alfageeh and Nadia Shammas
Available Now (As of Mar. 8, 2022)

Synopsis from Sara Alfa Illustration:

Squire is a young adult graphic novel set in a[n] alternate history Middle East/North Africa. This YA comic follows 14-year-old Aiza, who trains to become a knight for a war-torn empire while hiding her true background as a girl from conquered lands…. Now, ravaged by famine, Bayt-Sajji finds itself on the brink of war once again. This means Aiza can finally enlist to the competitive Squire training program….

Hiding her Ornu status in order to blend in, Aiza must navigate friendships, rivalries, and rigorous training under the merciless General Hende. As the pressure mounts, Aiza realizes that the “greater good” Bayt-Sajji’s military promises might not include her, and that the recruits might be in more danger than she ever imagined.

Poetry:

“No Place Like Home” (Anthology, edited by Jane Holloway)
Available Now (as of Feb. 1, 2022)

Synopsis from Walden Pond Books:

Poets from around the world celebrate the universal appeal of the comforts of home in this unique anthology. Whether inhabited or remembered, whether solitary or teeming with family, whether a refuge from the world or a connection to a community, home is essential to the self. The poems in this anthology invite us into urban apartments and cozy cottages, stately mansions and hermits' huts…Wherever you happen to dwell or whatever your idea of domestic bliss, you are sure to find visions that resonate in “No Place Like Home.