Every year January acts as a catalyst for me to reflect on the past year to help consider how I want to construct the year ahead. This is no different when it comes to books. I took a look at some of both my personal favorite authors as well as some fan favorites that are continuously being checked out from the library to see what we can expect in 2022. I also included a few debut authors whose book-blurbs looked promising.
As a quick side note, I want to mention that since these are so new/not yet released you won’t be able to access them from our library right away. You can always request a purchase here if you want a book we do not currently offer.
I have organized this list by age level, youngest to oldest, so that there are a few titles from each collection (picture book, youth chapter book, young adult, adult fiction and adult non-fiction). So, without further ado….
22 Most Anticipated New Releases of 2022:
Just Help! How to Build a Better World by Sonia Sotomayor
Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor has several books currently out and available at the library. One of which is the adorable Just ask! : be brave, be different, be you picture book. In this second book, releasing January 25th, 2022, we see how even young children can make meaningful impacts on their homes, communities, and world.
She Persisted in Science by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger
Another installment in the She Persisted series (which can be found here) will be released March 1, 2022. Each of these books focuses on 13 female pioneers in different fields of work, highlighting how their work has impacted history. Pick this up to read about the heroes our textbooks left out.
Hey You! by Dapo Adeola
This special picture book has a total of 18 different black illustrators that contributed their art to this work. This picture book brings light and hope to young children while honestly speaking about the experiences and systemic racism Black children will grow up facing. Brimming with love and hope this is one you will for sure want to read. Out February 1, 2022.
Cat Kid Comic Club: On Purpose by Dav Pilkey
(cover not yet released)
One of the most popular series in our children’s collection is Dog Man by Dav Pilkey. Kids go bananas for the silly illustrations and light-hearted humor in these graphic novels. Cat Kid Comic Club is a spin off from the original Dog Man series, so fans of the original will eat up these new characters. This is the third installment and will be release on April 5, 2022.
Good-Bye Stacey, Good-Bye: A Graphic Novel (the Baby-Sitters Club) by Ann M Martin
Another modern classic in the children’s section is the Baby-Sitter’s Club graphic novel series. With bright, modern illustrations set to the classic tales of the original chapter book series, these books are easy to pick up and hard to put down. If your youngster is eager for the next installment, tell them they only have to wait until February 1st, 2022!
Miss Quinces by Kat Fajardo
This is author Kat Fajardo’s first middle-grade graphic novel and it looks adorably quirky and fun. We follow Sue as she begrudgingly visits her extended family in Honduras for the summer where she then finds out she is expected to have a quinceañera – her worst nightmare! How will she make it through? Find out, April 5th, 2022.
The Unforgettable Logan Foster by Shawn Peters
One of the few debut authors I have included on this list, Shawn Peters is making a splash before his first book is even released. Early access readers have given this great reviews and the plot sounds so fun for older elementary and middle grade. We are following Logan Foster, a young boy hoping to be adopted by parents he really connects with even though so far he has had no such luck. That is, until he starts to suspect his foster parents are superheroes. Best part? This book came out January 4th, 2022 so you can pick it up in stores now!
Amari and the Great Game by B.B. Alston
This is the sequel to one of my favorite books of 2021, Amari and the Night Brothers. This book was so much fun, think Men in Black meets Percy Jackson but with a strong, young female lead. The first book was a strong start to what will surely be a modern classic of a series. If you haven’t already, be sure to read it before March 30, 2022 so you can pick this sequel up immediately!
Maizy Chen’s Last Chance by Lisa Yee
When young Maizy Chen follows her mom to Last Chance, Minnesota to help take care of her ailing grandfather, it isn’t quite what she expected. Between taking care of the family restaurant, navigating a potential family rift, and receiving anonymous racist notes she has a lot on her plate. Find out how she handles it all in this coming of age tale set to release February 1, 2022.
Silverborn: The Mystery of Morrigan Crowe by Jessica Townsend
(cover not yet released)
I will take literally any excuse to talk about this series because it is maybe my favorite of all time. Sadly I have to wait all the way until October 12th, 2022 for the fourth book but at least I know it is on the way! If you have never heard of this series, I will just say this: this is the only book I would actually compare to the Harry Potter series. The magic system, the magical school, the friendships, the dangerous villain – even just the quality of the writing are all very reminiscent of Harry Potter. So if you haven’t already, go right now and start the series with Nevermoore: The Trials of Morrigan Crowe so you will be ready in October!
Ain’t Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds and Jason Griffin
Jason Reynolds is hands down one of the best writers currently working. You might know him from Stamped: racism, antiracism, and you or Long Way Down. This new book was released earlier this week (January 11th, 2022) and is a collection of poetry pertaining to the experience of being Black in America today paired with illustrations from Jason Griffin. As always, I am sure this will be something entirely new and all it’s own in regards to form and style which makes me very excited to pick this one up.
A Thousand Steps Into Night by Traci Chee
One of the most highly acclaimed young adult novels of the past year and a half was Traci Chee’s We Are Not Free, a historical fiction novel based around the Japanese internment camps of WWII. However, her new release, A Thousand Steps Into the Night, will actually be her return to writing young adult fantasy. Drawing inspiration from her Japanese heritage, this book has demons, quests, curses, gods, and more. Check it out when it is released March 1st, 2022.
Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn
Another sequel to a 2021 knockout, this young adult fantasy featuring secret societies, magic, and an ode to King Arthur’s round table – what more could you want? Set to be released November 8th, 2022 Bloodmarked will continue to follow Bree as she navigates new found powers amidst an escalating war.
All My Rage by Saba Tahir
Known for her popular young adult fantasy series, Ember in the Ashes, Saba Tahir is definitely one to watch. On March 1, 2022 she will be releasing a new young adult contemporary novel covering topics such as young love, family, loss and more. Early reviews are already calling this one both “heart-wrenching” and “unforgettable”.
All the White Friends I Couldn’t Keep by Andre Henry
If you, like many, spent the last two years exploring the topics of anti-racism, privilege, and oppression then I have another book to add to your repertoire of resources. Andre Henry is a singer-songwriter and All the White Friends I Couldn’t Keep is his first published book. Pick it up March 22, 2022 to either start or continue your reflection on racial issues in America.
Half Baked Harvest Every Day: Recipes for balanced, flexible, feel good meals by Tieghan Gerard
If you don’t follow Half Baked Harvest on Instagram or her blog, you are missing out. Both of her previous cookbooks are New York Times best sellers, and an impressive number of Hollywood celebrities personally follow her. At my family Christmas gift exchange this year there were four copies of her cookbook gifted among the six of us, if that tells you anything. Her newest book comes out February 22, 2022 and focuses on healthy (albeit delicious) meals.
The Lazy Genius Kitchen: Have What You Need, Use What You Have, and Enjoy it Like Never Before by Kendra Adachi
If you follow our staff blog posts you might recognize this author from our November post about “Books We’re Thankful For”. I picked up The Lazy Genius Way in 2020 and I have been obsessed ever since. Her newest book comes out March 22, 2022 and focuses on how to use your kitchen in a way that makes sense for you and the season of life you are currently in. To be clear, this is not a cookbook. In fact, I think reading this book will help you make decisions such as which cookbooks are right for you, what appliances you really need, and where to store your spices so you can actually see everything you have. Let Kendra help you identify priorities you didn’t realize you had so you can get to cooking, and (hopefully) actually enjoy it.
Hello, Molly! by Molly Shannon
Perfect for any fan of Saturday Night Live, this memoire is by and about Molly Shannon. While you may know her as a talented and funny actress, you may be surprised to learn about the tragic loss of her mother and sister at a very young age. Exploring the after effect of that fateful accident, this memoir explores her early life as well as into her later years working with big names such as Will Ferrell and Tracy Morgan. Pick it up to learn more about her on April 12th, 2022.
Book of Night by Holly Black
You may know Holly Black from her popular young adult series, The Cruel Prince, her children’s series, The Spiderwick Chronicles, or one of her other 30 books. However, May 3rd 2022 you will get to see a new side of her writing as she is publishing her very first adult fantasy book. Set in a world where shadow magic can be traded for a steep cost, we follow a reluctant hero down dangerous paths.
Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover
Colleen Hoover has been publishing books for many years now but it wasn’t until early 2021 that she became a mega star in the book world. Social media, specifically TikTok, spread the word about how great her books are and in the blink of an eye she was selling out at Barnes and Nobles all over America. If you have already read through all 22 of her full backlog and are itching for more, Reminders of Him will be available January 18th, 2022.
The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James
If you love scary stories and/or paranormal thrillers, you are probably already familiar with the work of Simone St. James. This book in particular will appeal to fans of true crime, as our protagonist interviews a woman famously tied to the murder of two separate men. Uncover what really happened that fateful night years ago in this thrilling new novel out March 15, 2022.
House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas
Fans of young adult fantasy will recognize the name Sarah J. Maas from her wildly popular series Throne of Glass and A Court of Thorns and Roses. She recently made her debut into adult fantasy with this series, Crescent City. The first installment, House of Blood and Ash, was published in March of 2020 and includes all of the fantastical world building, spicy romance, and intricate plot we have come to expect from Maas. The sequel, House of Sky and Breath will be released on February 15th, 2022.
So there you have it, this concludes my list of 22 most anticipated books of 2022! I hope you found something that piqued your interest so you have something fun to look forward to this year.
