Best Books of 2022 Pt. II: 2022 Releases!

Today I'm thrilled to finally be sharing the second and final installment of my best books of 2022! This list features all of my favorite books that were released in 2022. There were so many amazing books released last year that I liked, but these are all the ones that stood out to me above others and that I find myself still thinking about every day and dying for a sequel for (if it's not a standalone, of course). As usual, these are lsited in no particular order. Please let me know if you also read any of these books, if you're planning to, or what some of your favorite 2022 releases are!

Pt. I of my best books of 2022 featuring backlist titles and a couple 2023 ARCs can be found here.

My annual reading stats post will also be up later this month and I can't wait to get it finished! This post has fun stats about. my reading year, including # of books read, genres I read the most, where I get my books, average page amounts, and more. (Not everyone is probably into all of the stuff, and no worries if you're not, but I really love keeping track of it and seeing a comprehensive look at my reading.)

2022 Releases:

(in no particular order)

     

1. The House with the Golden Door by Elodie Harper: The Wolf Den was easily one of my favorite reads of 2021, and fortunately the sequel was just as amazing. I have absolutely adored this historical fiction series thus far and am constantly impressed by Elodie Harper's commitment to historical accuracy and her ability to bring this era of Rome's history to life in such a vivid way. The characters are so complex and compelling, and the storyline is full of so many ups and downs that make it impossible to put down. This book–and series–has brought me so much joy after finishing my Classics studies and I can't wait for the final book. 

2. A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross: I don't think this book has gotten neearly as much love as it deserves. I thought A River Enchanted was a beautiful and magical story that transported me wholly to the whimsical island of Cadence where folktales are alive and well. I loved getting to know the characters and was absolutely captivated by Ross' prose.  (Review)

     

3. On Lavender Tides by Travis M. Riddle: So I actually read three books by Travis Riddle in 2022 (Dirt King, On Lavender Tides, and A Fracture in the Qwisdeep) and I honestly loved all of them. On Lavender Tides is easily one of the most fun and enjoyable books I've read and I absolutely relished exploring this new world and all the different settings and creatures that are a part of it, as well as getting to know some amazing new protagonists. The sequel, A Fracture in the Qwisdeep, is just as exciting and fun and I consider that a favorite as well, but I had to give it up for On Lavender Tides and its introduction to this world and all the Jekuas! (also, my counting is very poor but I think this may be the fifth year in a row Travis Riddle has ended up on my favorites of the year list??)  (Review) 

4. Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher: T. Kingfisher is another regular to my favorites list, this year because of Nettle & Bone! This is a short novel featuring a slew of quirky characters and a very magical world that is full of surprises. I can't seem to get enough of Kingfisher's prose that is insightful, flowing, and full of plenty of witty humor. Whether you've read T. Kingfisher before or not, you definitely can't go wrong with Nettle & Bone. (Review)

     

5. Lavender House by Lev AC Rosen: Lavender House was a complete surprise with how much I loved it. I was hooked immediately after only the first page and I was captivated from there until the end of the book. I liked exploring the weird relationships and dynamics that existed between this eclectic family and how our protagonist, Andy, fit into it all. I thought the mystery element was really fun, but the setting and characters were what really set it apart.  (Review)

6. Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel: This was a beautiful, memorable debut about the oft-villified queen Kaikeyi from the Ramayana. This retelling was unbelievably absorbing and had me ridiciulously invested in Kaikeyi's life and experiences. Patel prose was utterly compelling and had such an effortless quality about it that was perfectly balanced between detail and simplicity. I appreciated Patel's loyalty to the source material while also incorporating her own style and voice to the story. I am so excited to see what Vaishnavi Patel will be writing next! (Review)

     

7. Four Treasures of the Sky by Jenny Tinghui Zhang: This book was such a gut punch at times and is one that will really sit with me for some time to come. Following Daiyu's journey was incredibly difficult and full of tragedy, but it also held its own source of hope and inspiration that is what really set this story apart for me. I think this is an incredibly important and amazing story and I can't recommend it enough.  (Review)

8. One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig: If any book was going to be a surprise to me to make it onto my favorites list, it'd be this one. There were a lot of things about this book that could've been too cliche'd or overdone, but somehow Gillig made it feel fresh and exciting and I really had a wonderful time and really loved this book. The world feels dark and mysterious and full of potential, and I really enjoyed the interactions between the main characters, as well as learning more about the magic system and how all of the different cards worked. This was probably one of my favorite magic systems that I've read about in a while! I can't wait for the sequel and to see more from Rachel Gillig! (Review)

     

9. The Bladed Faith by David Dalglish: This is another one of those books that I ended up enjoying more than I could have expected. I feel like rebellions and similar plot beats have become a little overdone to me in recent years and I often find they feel very similar to one another, but something about what Dalglish did with The Bladed Faith made it feel so new and exciting. I loved exploring all the different aspects of this world, the politics, and the characters. This was an amazing fast-paced fantasy that ticked off all the right boxes for me and I can't wait to see what's next. (Review)

10. The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesly by Sean Lusk: This book was such a delightful surprise! There was such a strong air of quirkiness and inventiveness in this story that I found myself effortlessly engaged and wanting to see what would come on each page. I loved the clockmaking aspect of this and following Zachary and his father to Constantinople. This is a book that feels very different from others in ways that are sometimes hard to describe, and it's one that I adored and am so glad I got to read last year.  (Review)

Have you read any of these books? What were some of your favorite 2022 releases?

Top 5 Tuesday: 2022 Releases I Still Haven't Read

Today I've chosen to participate in Top 5 Tuesday, originally hosted by BionicBookworm, now hosted by MeeghanReads! 

This week's theme is: 2022 Releases I Still Haven't Read–But Want To!

There are... a lot of books I wanted to read this year that I haven't gotten to. I also usually make a bigger end of year post with books I wanted to read and didn't get to, but I figured I'd get a head start and highlight five books I've featured on Can't-Wait Wednesday posts from this past year that I'd still really like to read.

The Haunting of Las Lágrimas by W.M. Cleese

About:

"Argentina, winter 1913. 

Ursula Kelp, a young English gardener, travels to Buenos Aires to take up the role of head gardener at a long-abandoned estate in the Pampas. The current owner wishes to return to the estate with his family and restore the once-famous gardens to their former glory. 

Travelling deep into the Pampas, the vast grasslands of South America, Ursula arrives to warnings from the locals that the estate is haunted, cursed to bring tragedy to the founding family of Las Lágrimas. And soon Ursula believes that her loneliness is making her imagine things – the sound of footsteps outside her bedroom door, the touch of hands on her shoulders when there’s no one there. Most strangely of all, she keeps hearing the frenzied sound of a man chopping down trees in the nearby forest with an axe, when all her staff are in sight. 

As the strange occurrences intensify – with tragic consequences – Ursula questions if there’s truth in the rumours about the cursed estate. The family’s return is imminent – are they in danger? And the longer Ursula stays at the estate, the more she realises that she too is in mortal danger." Goodreads 

The School of Mirrors by Eva Stachniak

About:
"A scintillating, gorgeously written historical novel about a mother and a daughter in eighteenth-century France, beginning with decadence and palace intrigue at Versailles and ending in an explosive new era of revolution. 

During the reign of Louis XV, impoverished but lovely teenage girls from all over France are sent to a discreet villa in the town of Versailles. Overseen by the King’s favorite mistress, Madame de Pompadour, they will be trained as potential courtesans for the King. When the time is right, each girl is smuggled into the palace of Versailles, with its legendary Hall of Mirrors. There they meet a mysterious but splendidly dressed man who they’re told is merely a Polish count, a cousin of the Queen. Living an indulgent life of silk gowns, delicious meals, and soft beds, the students at this “school of mirrors” rarely ask questions, and when Louis tires of them, they are married off to minor aristocrats or allowed to retire to one of the more luxurious nunneries. 

Beautiful and canny Veronique arrives at the school of mirrors and quickly becomes a favorite of the King. But when she discovers her lover’s true identity, she is whisked away, sent to give birth to a daughter in secret, and then to marry a wealthy Breton merchant. There is no return to the School of Mirrors." Goodreads

All the Horses of Iceland by Sarah Tolmie

About:

"Everyone knows of the horses of Iceland, wild, and small, and free, but few have heard their story. Sarah Tolmie’s All the Horses of Iceland weaves their mystical origin into a saga for the modern age. Filled with the magic and darkened whispers of a people on the cusp of major cultural change, All the Horses of Iceland tells the tale of a Norse trader, his travels through Central Asia, and the ghostly magic that followed him home to the land of fire, stone, and ice. His search for riches will take him from Helmgard, through Khazaria, to the steppes of Mongolia, where he will barter for horses and return with much, much more. 

All the Horses of Iceland is a delve into the secret, imagined history of Iceland's unusual horses, brought to life by an expert storyteller." Goodreads

Hide by Kiersten White

About:
"The challenge: spend a week hiding in an abandoned amusement park and don't get caught. 

The prize: enough money to change everything. 

Even though everyone is desperate to win--to seize their dream futures or escape their haunting pasts--Mack feels sure that she can beat her competitors. All she has to do is hide, and she's an expert at that. 

It's the reason she's alive, and her family isn't. 

But as the people around her begin disappearing one by one, Mack realizes this competition is more sinister than even she imagined, and that together might be the only way to survive. 

Fourteen competitors. Seven days. Everywhere to hide, but nowhere to run. 

Come out, come out, wherever you are." Goodreads

Spear by Nicola Griffith

About:
"She left all she knew to find who she could be . . . 

She grows up in the wild wood, in a cave with her mother, but visions of a faraway lake drift to her on the spring breeze, scented with promise. And when she hears a traveler speak of Artos, king of Caer Leon, she decides her future lies at his court. So, brimming with magic and eager to test her strength, she breaks her covenant with her mother and sets out on her bony gelding for Caer Leon. 

With her stolen hunting spear and mended armour, she is an unlikely hero, not a chosen one, but one who forges her own bright path. Aflame with determination, she begins a journey of magic and mystery, love, lust and fights to death. On her adventures, she will steal the hearts of beautiful women, fight warriors and sorcerers, and make a place to call home. 

The legendary author of Hild returns with an unforgettable hero and a queer Arthurian masterpiece for the modern era. Nicola Griffith’s Spear is a spellbinding vision of the Camelot we've longed for, a Camelot that belongs to us all." Goodreads 

Have you read any of these books? What 2022 releases do you still want to read?

Can't-Wait Wednesday: A History of Fear by Luke Dumas & The Tatami Galaxy by Tomihiko Morimi

 Can't-Wait is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights exciting upcoming releases that we can't wait to be released! This meme is based off of Jill @ Breaking the Spine's Waiting on Wednesday meme.

 

This week's upcoming book spotlights are:

A History of Fear by Luke Dumas
Publication: December 6th, 2022
Atria Books
Hardcover. 368 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:

"Grayson Hale, the most infamous murderer in Scotland, is better known by a different name: the Devil’s Advocate. The twenty-five-year-old American grad student rose to instant notoriety when he confessed to the slaughter of his classmate Liam Stewart, claiming the Devil made him do it. 

When Hale is found hanged in his prison cell, officers uncover a handwritten manuscript that promises to answer the question that’s haunted the nation for years: was Hale a lunatic, or had he been telling the truth all along? 

Unnervingly, Hale doesn’t fit the bill of a killer. The first-person narrative that centers this novel reveals an acerbic young atheist, newly enrolled at the University of Edinburgh to carry on the legacy of his recently deceased father. In need of cash, he takes a job ghostwriting a mysterious book for a dark stranger, but has misgivings when the project begins to reawaken his satanophobia, a rare condition that causes him to live in terror that the Devil is after him. As he struggles to disentangle fact from fear, Grayson’s world is turned upside-down after events force him to confront his growing suspicion that he’s working for the one he has feared all this time—and that the book is only the beginning of their partnership.​​ 

A History of Fear is a propulsive foray into the darkness of the human psyche, marrying dread-inducing atmosphere and heart-palpitating storytelling."

I feel like I've been seeing this book for as an anticipated release for months and months by now, and it's only made me want to read it more each time I see it! 

and...

The Tatami Galaxy by Tomihiko Morimi, trans Emily Balistrieri
Publication: December 6th, 2022
Harpervia
Hardcover. 352 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:

"An unfulfilled college student hurtles through four parallel realities to explore the what-might've-been and the what-should-never-be in this Groundhog Day meets The Midnight Library-esque novel from one of Japan's most popular authors. 

Our protagonist, an unnamed junior at a prestigious university in Kyoto, is on the verge of dropping out. After rebelling against the dictatorial jock president of the film club, he and his worst and only friend, the diabolical creep Ozu, are personas non grata on campus. For two years, our protagonist has made all the wrong decisions, and now he's about to make another mistake. He and Ozu are preparing for revenge--a fireworks attack at the film club's welcoming party for new members. Then, a chance encounter with a self-proclaimed god sets the confused and distraught young man on a new course. Destiny will bring him together with Akashi, the blunt but charming sophomore he has a crush on--if he's brave enough to make a move. Yet our protagonist cannot get beyond his profound disillusionment and the moment is lost. But what if there's a universe where he did join the club of his dreams, ditched Ozu for good, and was confident enough to get the girl? A realm of possibility opens up for our protagonist as time rewinds, and from the four-and-a-half-mat tatami floor of his dorm room, he is plunged into a series of adventures that will take him to four parallel universes. In each universe, he is given the opportunity to start over as a freshman, in search of a rose-colored campus life."

How fun does this premise sound? I think this would make for a perfect lighter speculative fiction read!

What do you think about these upcoming releases? What are your anticipated upcoming releases?

Anticipated November 2022 Releases!

Fall 2022 is just bursting with incredible releases, and November is here to continue that trend. I've been fortunate enough to have already read Empire of Exiles and White Horse and am currently in the middle of Wayward and The Stars Undying, and I have to say that so far November is living up to its hype! What books are you most looking forward to releasing in November?

The Stars Undying by Emery Robin || November 8th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Empire of Exiles by Erin M. Evans || November 8th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Wayward (Wanderers #2) by Chuck Wendig || November 15th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Cloisters by Katy Hays || November 1st -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Neom by Lavie Tidhar || November 8th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

To Each This World by Julie E. Czerneda || November 15th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Two Doctors Górski by Isaac Fellman || November 29th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Novelist as a Vocation by Haruki Murakami, trans. Philip Gabriel || November 8th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Galatea: A Short Story by Madeline Miller || November 8th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

White Horse by Erika T. Wurth || November 1st -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Vermilion Emporium by Jamie Pacton || November 1st -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Boy and the Dog by Seishu Tase, trans. Alison Watts || November 15th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Luminaries by Susan Dennard || November 1st -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Africa Risen: A New Era of Speculative Fiction || November 15th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Last Hero (The First Sister Trilogy #3) by Linden A. Lewis || November 8th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Tread of Angels by Rebecca Roanhorse || November 15th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Pulling the Wings Off Angels by K.J. Parker || November 15th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Red Scholar's Wake by Aliette de Bodard || November 24th -- Book Depository

Small Game by Blair Braverman || November 1st -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey by Serena Burdick || November 1st -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree || November 8th -- Amazon

Winterland by Rae Meadows || November 29th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Toad by Katherine Dunn || November 1st -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Egypt’s Golden Couple: When Akhenaten and Nefertiti Were Gods on Earth by Colleen and John Darnell || November 1st -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

What are your anticipated November releases?

Can't-Wait Wednesday: The Stars Undying by Emery Robin, The Two Doctors Górski by Isaac Fellman, & White Horse by Erika T. Wurth

 Can't-Wait is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights exciting upcoming releases that we can't wait to be released! This meme is based off of Jill @ Breaking the Spine's Waiting on Wednesday meme.

 

This week's upcoming book spotlights are: 

The Stars Undying by Emery Robin
Publication: November 8th, 2022
Orbit
Hardcover. 528 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:

"'A spectacular space opera debut perfect for readers of Ann Leckie's Ancillary Justice and Arkady Martine's A Memory Called Empire, inspired by the lives and loves of Cleopatra and Julius Caesar. 

Princess Altagracia has lost everything. After a bloody civil war, her twin sister has claimed not just the crown of their planet Szayet but the Pearl of its prophecy, a computer that contains the immortal soul of Szayet's god. Stripped of her birthright, Gracia flees the planet—just as Matheus Ceirran, Commander of the interstellar Empire of Ceiao, arrives in deadly pursuit with his volatile lieutenant, Anita. When Gracia and Ceirran's paths collide, Gracia sees an opportunity to win back her planet, her god, and her throne…if she can win the Commander and his right-hand officer over first. 

But talking her way into Ceirran’s good graces, and his bed, is only the beginning. Dealing with the most powerful man in the galaxy is almost as dangerous as war, and Gracia is quickly torn between an alliance that fast becomes more than political and the wishes of the god—or machine—that whispers in her ear. For Szayet's sake, and her own, Gracia will need to become more than a princess with a silver tongue. She will have to become a queen as history has never seen before—even if it breaks an empire."

A space opera inspired by Cleopatra and Julius Caesar? I'm in!

and...

The Two Doctors Górski by Isaac Fellman
Publication: November 29th, 2022
Tordotcom
Paperback. 176 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:

"Annae, a brilliant graduate student in psychiatric magic and survivor of academic abuse, can’t stop reading people’s minds. This is how she protects herself, by using her abilities to know exactly how her colleagues view her. This is how she escapes the torturous experience of her own existence. 

When Annae moves to England to rebuild her life and finish her studies under the seminal magician Marec Górski—infamous for bringing to life a homunculus made from his unwanted better self—she sees, inside his head, a man who is both a destructive force to everyone around him, and her mirror image. For Annae to survive, she’ll need to break free of a lifetime of conditioning to embody her own self and forge her own path."

I am so curious about this premise and think this could be a really fascinating experiment with and exploration of mind-reading. 

and...

White Horse by Erika T. Wurth
Publication: November 1st, 2022
Flatiron Books
Hardcover. 320 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:

"Some people are haunted in more ways than one. 

Heavy metal, ripped jeans, Stephen King novels, and the occasional beer at the White Horse have defined urban Indian Kari James’s life so far. But when her cousin Debby finds an old family bracelet that once belonged to Kari’s mother, it inadvertently calls up both her mother’s ghost and a monstrous entity, and her willful ignorance about her past is no longer sustainable… 

Haunted by visions of her mother and hunted by this mysterious creature, Kari must search for what happened to her mother all those years ago. Her father, permanently disabled from a car crash, can’t help her. Her Auntie Squeaker seems to know something but isn’t eager to give it all up at once. Debby’s anxious to help, but her controlling husband keeps getting in the way. Kari’s journey toward a truth long denied by both her family and law enforcement forces her to confront her dysfunctional relationships, thoughts about a friend she lost in childhood, and her desire for the one thing she’s always wanted but could never have."

I've been hearing about this book for a while now and I'm really excited about it! 

What do you think about these upcoming releases? What are your anticipated upcoming releases?

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Little Eve by Catriona Ward, Lavender House by Lev AC Rosen, & Seven Empty Houses by Samanta Schweblin

 Can't-Wait is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights exciting upcoming releases that we can't wait to be released! This meme is based off of Jill @ Breaking the Spine's Waiting on Wednesday meme.

 

This week's upcoming book spotlights are: 

Little Eve by Catriona Ward
Publication: October 11th, 2022
Tor Nightfire
Hardcover. 288 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:

"'A great day is upon us. He is coming. The world will be washed away.' 

On the wind-battered isle of Altnaharra, off the wildest coast of Scotland, a clan prepares to bring about the end of the world and its imminent rebirth. 

The Adder is coming and one of their number will inherit its powers. They all want the honor, but young Eve is willing to do anything for the distinction. 

A reckoning beyond Eve’s imagination begins when Chief Inspector Black arrives to investigate a brutal murder and their sacred ceremony goes terribly wrong. 

And soon all the secrets of Altnaharra will be uncovered."

Catriona Ward has consistently written books that are really unique and a little weird, but also very captivating. I have an ARC of this that I can't wait to dive into. 

and...

Lavender House Lev AC Rosen
Publication: October 18th, 2022
Forge Books
Hardcover. 288 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:

"Lavender House, 1952: the family seat of recently deceased matriarch Irene Lamontaine, head of the famous Lamontaine soap empire. Irene’s recipes for her signature scents are a well guarded secret—but it's not the only one behind these gates. This estate offers a unique freedom, where none of the residents or staff hide who they are. But to keep their secret, they've needed to keep others out. And now they're worried they're keeping a murderer in. 

Irene’s widow hires Evander Mills to uncover the truth behind her mysterious death. Andy, recently fired from the San Francisco police after being caught in a raid on a gay bar, is happy to accept—his calendar is wide open. And his secret is the kind of secret the Lamontaines understand. 

Andy had never imagined a world like Lavender House. He's seduced by the safety and freedom found behind its gates, where a queer family lives honestly and openly. But that honesty doesn't extend to everything, and he quickly finds himself a pawn in a family game of old money, subterfuge, and jealousy—and Irene’s death is only the beginning. 

When your existence is a crime, everything you do is criminal, and the gates of Lavender House can’t lock out the real world forever. Running a soap empire can be a dirty business."

I caved and read an ARC of this back in July or August... but I really loved it and am now super excited for its release! I very highly recommend this one. 

and...

Seven Empty Houses by Samanta Schweblin, trans. Megan McDowell
Publication: October 18th, 2022
Riverhead Books
Hardcover. 208 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:

"A blazing new story collection that will make you feel like the house is collapsing in on you, from the 3 time International Booker Prize finalist, 'lead[ing] a vanguard of Latin American writers forging their own 21st-century canon.' -O, the Oprah magazine 

The seven houses in these seven stories are empty. Some are devoid of love or life or furniture, of people or the truth or of memories. But in Samanta Schweblin's tense, visionary tales, something always creeps back in: a ghost, a fight, trespassers, a list of things to do before you die, a child's first encounter with a dark choice or the fallibility of parents. 

This was the collection that established Samanta Schweblin at the forefront of a new generation of Latin American writers. And now in English it will push her cult status to new heights. Seven Empty Houses is an entrypoint into a fiercely original mind, and a slingshot into Schweblin's destablizing, exhilarating literary world. 

In each story, the twists and turns will unnerve and surprise: Schweblin never takes the expected path and instead digs under the skin and reveals uncomfortable truths about our sense of home, of belonging, and of the fragility of our connections with others. This is a masterwork from one of our most brilliant writers."

I feel like the synopsis for this one is a little vague, but I'm really intrigued by the idea of different stories focusing on different empty houses and I assume the stories they hold within. It's classified under horror so I'm not sure whether to expect some weird stuff or something more literary?? Regardless, I'm excited!

What do you think about these upcoming releases? What are your anticipated upcoming releases?