This week’s theme over at ThatArtsyReaderGirl for Top Ten Tuesday is the most anticipated reads for the first half of the year. And I hope that I do better than last year in reading all the books on this list. I ended up reading 8.5/14 books from last year’s similarly titled post here, and 4.5/10 from a post for the second half of last year.
Here is hoping I get to a 100% this year and also complete those pending from last year’s lists!
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So without further ado, here are my
Most Anticipated Reads of the First Half of 2022
Honor
Honor
by Thrity Umrigar
Women’s Fiction
Algonquin Books (January 4, 2022)
Book Description: In this riveting and immersive novel, bestselling author Thrity Umrigar tells the story of two couples and the sometimes dangerous and heartbreaking challenges of love across a cultural divide.
Why This Book: I have been meaning to read Umrigar since forever and somehow have not done so. While this book might devastate me in its own way, I know I want to read it.
You Don’t Know Us Negroes and Other Essays
You Don’t Know Us Negroes and Other Essays
by Zora Neale Hurston and edited by Henry Louis Gates Jr. and M. Genevieve West
Essays (463 pages)
Amistad (January 18, 2022)
Book Description: Spanning more than 35 years of work, the first comprehensive collection of essays, criticism, and articles by the legendary author of the Harlem Renaissance, Zora Neale Hurston, showcasing the evolution of her distinctive style as an archivist and author.
Why This Book: I read Hurston’s Barracoon (well, most of it) in 2020, and was awed by her powerful writing. So I know I need to read this one.
Magnolia Palace
Magnolia Palace
by Fiona Davis
Historical Fiction (349 pages)
Dutton (January 25, 2022)
Book Description: Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue, returns with a tantalizing novel about the secrets, betrayal, and murder within one of New York City’s most impressive Gilded Age mansions.
Why This Book: Davis‘ The Lions of Fifth Avenue was one of my favorite reads of 2020, and well, that is why!
A Brief History of Timekeeping
A Brief History of Timekeeping
by Chad Orzel
Nonfiction/Physics of Time (336 pages)
BenBella Books (January 25, 2022)
Book Description: (excerpted): For those interested in science, technology, or history, or anyone who’s ever wondered about the instruments that divide our days into moments: the time you spend reading this book may fly, and it is certain to be well spent.
Why This Book: Time is certainly fascinating, and this book marks the science of marking time, literally! Given that I enjoy history and to while away my time reading books, why not read this book about keeping time!!
The Little French Bookshop
The Little French Bookshop
by Cecile Pivot
Women’s Fiction (240 pages)
Hodder & Stoughton (Kindle – February 3, 2022 & Paperback – July 26, 2022)
Book Description:
A letter writing workshop.
Five strangers.
Countless secrets bursting in between the pages.
When French bookseller Esther loses her father, she decides to place an ad in a newspaper, inviting struggling readers to join her secret letter writing workshop.
Why This Book: Letters and bookshops and France. What more can I ask for? Oh yes, secrets included too, like icing on the cake!!
Meet Me in the Margins
Meet Me in the Margins
by Melissa Ferguson
Contemporary Romance (320 pages)
Thomas Nelson (February 15, 2022)
Book Description: Melissa Ferguson’s latest—a love letter to books, readers, and romance—will leave fans laughing out loud and swooning in the same breath.
Why This Book: Hidden book nooks, mystery editors who leave notes in margins, romance in a book within this sweet rom-com – all these are reasons enough to go find myself a secret nook to go read this book!!
Alias Anna
Alias Anna: A True Story of Outwitting the Nazis
by Susan Hood & Greg Dawson
Middle Grade Nonfiction/Verse Novels (368 pages)
HarperCollins (March 22, 2022)
Book Description: The moving true story of how young Ukrainian Jewish piano prodigies Zhanna (alias “Anna”) and her sister Frina outplayed their pursuers while hiding in plain sight during the Holocaust. A middle grade nonfiction novel-in-verse by award-winning author Susan Hood with Greg Dawson (Zhanna’s son).
Why This Book: One of my periods in history to read about, plus one of my favorite ways to read a book – verse novels, and then this is a true story about two girls who survived despite the odds. Of course, I need to read this.
The Lost Book of Eleanor Dare
The Lost Book of Eleanor Dare
by Kimberly Brock
Historical Fiction (480 pages)
Hodder & Stoughton (April 12, 2022)
Book Description: The fate of the world is often driven by the curiosity of a girl.
In this sweeping tale from award-winning author Kimberly Brock, the answers to a real-life mystery may be found in the pages of a story that was always waiting to be written.
Why This Book: Set in post WWII times (and I seem to read so many of these books and love them all), this book is a wonderful meld of history, mystery, and more through a cool fictional tale binding women of a family across generations. Wow, that was one long sentence, but it is why I want to read this book too!
Blast Off
Blast Off!: How Mary Sherman Morgan Fueled America Into Space
by Suzanne Slade and illustrated by Sally W. Comport
Children’s Nonfiction/Women’s Biographies, STEM (48 pages)
Calkins Creek (April 12, 2022)
Book Description: Here is the never-before-told, inspirational story of Mary Sherman, the world’s first female rocket scientist, who overcame gender barriers and many failures to succeed.
Why This Book: Reading about inspirational women is always, well, inspiring! And this one is especially cool, as I had not known of Mary Sherman’s story
Inspired
Inspired : Understanding Creativity: A Journey Through Art, Science, and the Soul
by Matt Richtel
Nonfiction/Psychology (400 pages)
Custom House (April 19, 2022)
Book Description: A groundbreaking new investigation into the mysteries of creativity and how to maximize your creative potential, from Pulitzer Prize–winning New York Times reporter and bestselling author of An Elegant Defense Matt Richtel.
Why This Book: Simply because it is what it is….
Book Lovers
Book Lovers
by Emily Henry
Contemporary Women’s Fiction (384 pages)
Berkley (May 3, 2022)
Book Description: An insightful, delightful new novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Beach Read and People We Meet on Vacation. One summer. Two rivals. A plot twist they didn’t see coming…
Why This Book: Aside from the title and that cover, the complete book description totally tempts all book lovers to read this book.
The Boardwalk Bookshop
The Boardwalk Bookshop
by Susan Mallery
Women’s Fiction/Friendship
MIRA (May 31, 2022)
Book Description: When fate brings three strangers to a charming space for lease on the California coast, the Boardwalk Bookshop is born. Part bookstore, part gift shop, part bakery, it’s a dream come true for Bree, Mikki and Ashley. But while their business is thriving, their personal lives are…not.
Why This Book: It has been a long while since I read Mallery’s books; and this one seems like it is set right in my neighborhood (about an hour away, at the most). Books, baubles, and bakes all in one package are the ‘why this book’ on this anticipated reads list!
As Seen On TV
As Seen on TV
by Meredith Schorr
Contemporary Women’s Fiction (352 pages)
Forever (June 7, 2022)
Book Description: Fans of the Hallmark Channel and Gilmore Girls will adore this delightful rom‑com about a city girl who goes in search of small-town happiness, only to discover life—and love—are nothing like the TV movies.
Why This Book: The title is clever; the concept is cute; and then the reference to Gilmore Girls seals the deal for me!
Pin Me
Other Similar Anticipated Reads Lists I Created Earlier!
I have read at least some of the books in these previous lists while the others are still in the anticipated reads list!!!
- Most Anticipated Books of the Second Half of 2021
- Bookish Wishes That I Would Love to Come True
- Books I Am Sure I Will Love Reading
- Most Anticipated Books of the First Half of 2021
- 10 Great Books To Celebrate World Anthropology Day (some of the books on this list remain unread)
- Ten Books for People Who Love Words and Language
- 13 Unique Books You Will Want Right Now
- Top Ten Punny Titles I Need to Read Now
- My Lit List: “Summer”-y Books I Want to Read
- Tag: My Blog’s Name in TBR Books (This one is over two years old now, but I am yet to read many of the books)
And Now, the End of This Post
Dear reader, have you heard of any of these books? Or read any similar ones? What books are on your anticipated reads list for this year, or well, in your forever list? I would love to hear any and all recommendations and thoughts…
That’s a fascinating book list. I may have to invest in a few in the near future. I read ‘Their Eyes Were Watching God’ and ‘Mules and Men’ by Zora Neale Hurlston. Good reads.
Good luck on your reading journey and Happy New Year 🙂
You Don’t Know Us Negroes sounds really good.
My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-most-anticipated-books-releasing-in-the-first-half-of-2022/
This is a fabulous list of books! I would love to read The Magnolia Palace and The Little French Book Shop!
Meet me in the Margins is one I plan to read this year as well. Great list! https://cindysbookcorner.blogspot.com/2022/01/top-ten-tuesday-random-stuff.html
I hope Pivot’s is better than The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George, very disappointing compared to her previous one.
Here is my post: https://wordsandpeace.com/2022/01/04/top-ten-most-anticipated-books-releasing-in-the-first-half-of-2022/
These are great recommendations. I would love to read the Blast-Off and You Don’t Know Us Negroes and Other Essays.
The Magnolia Palace is on my list of want to reads, but now I need to add some of these other ones! Thanks for the rec!
All these sound great! I recently finished Meet Me in the Margins and I just loved it!! It really met my high expectations! I want to read The Boardwalk Bookshop, and The Magnolia Palace, and all of these!!
These all sound good. I particularly like the looks of the book-lover/bookshop ones. Great list.
Awesome list. I have my eye on The Boardwalk Bookshop