Anticipated New Releases in 2022

We may be more than half way through 2022, but the publishing industry is showing no sign of slowing down with its release of new fiction and non-fiction.

Being a subscriber of many a literary newsletter, my 'to be read' list is forever growing; one cannot help exploring the upcoming releases that publishers and literary organisations alike promote in their daily or weekly news bulletins ahead of their publication. Below is a list of six books that will be hitting the shelves before the end of 2022, one's I am thoroughly excited about.

Just Sayin, Malorie Blackman

Blackman will go down in history as one of the world’s greatest authors. From her Noughts and Crosses series to titles including Boys Don’t Cry and Noble Conflict, she is a phenomenal author who has contributed so much to the literary world. Later this year, her memoir will be released, and I cannot wait. I would be interested in reading her memoir simply because it is Malorie Blackman, however what sparks my curiosity even more is the fact ‘Malorie charts her life not in a succinct order of events, but against the principles which have motivated her journey and reasons for becoming a writer - wonder, loss, anger, perseverance, representation, and love’. We can expect to see how ‘[each] tenet has played a unique role in inspiring her writing, her deep resolve and infectious zest for life’, so I’m expecting an inspiring and thoughtful read.

The Light We Carry, Michelle Obama

I read and loved Obama's first book, Becoming, in 2020, so when I saw Penguin's announcement of her new book I was ecstatic. It promises a hopeful and resonant dialogue on topics including how we can build 'enduring and honest relationships', discovering 'strength and community inside our differences', and how we can 'better navigate change and remain steady within flux'. Obama is a huge source of inspiration for myself, and I can't wait to delve into her new release to hear even more of her wisdom.

How To Live When You Could Be Dead, Deborah James

To say Dame Deborah was an inspiration is an understatement. Watching her on Instagram and TV, it was clear how big Deborah's heart was, how much energy she brought to her life, and how many people she touched. After battling with terminal bowel cancer for over five years, Dame Deborah James passed away earlier this year. In her book, to be published posthumously, we can hope to gain a perspective on how we can live life to the fullest from someone whose life was tragically cut far too short. This feels like a very special book, from a very special woman.

Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard, Tom Felton

When Tom Felton was twelve, he became the infamous Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter film franchise. As someone who loved the Harry Potter books and movies as a young child, Felton's new memoir is set to bring a lot of joy. I'm excited to find out about what it was like to grow up on screen, hear about the friendships he made during his time in the Harry Potter community, and how he coped with fame and everything that brought to his life as an adolescent.

The Bullet That Missed, Richard Osman

I loved the previous two books in the Thursday Murder Club series, so I’m excited to read the latest book that is due out 15th September. Osman’s writing is incredibly witty and his plots are packed with adventure and intrigue. You can cry with laughter and out of sadness in equal measure with this series, so they make for perfect holiday reads or when you are curled up with a cup of tea of an evening. In this third instalment, we’re back with Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim as they try to solve a decade-old cold case; I’m eager to see what they get up to this time.

Stone Blind, Natalie Haynes

The final pending release I’m excited about is from author of A Thousand Ships and Pandora's Jar (neither of which, admittedly, I have read). The former focused upon the Trojan War, whilst the latter centred on women of the Greek myths. This novel is a reimagining of another Greek myth, but this time Haynes is exploring the story of Medusa. Never has there been a more iconic mythological character. Medusa will forever be intriguing and captivating, and the following synopsis of Stone Blind ensures me that this will be a remarkable read: ‘This is the story of how a young woman became a monster. And how she was never really a monster at all.’