I’m trying to tone down my book buying in 2022, because I have a lot of books already that I really want to read and haven’t got to yet. I’m prioritising my backlist, and all the amazing books I got for my birthday yesterday. But, there are some that are absolute must-buys for me in the upcoming year and this is them!
All The White Spaces by Ally Wilkes
A vivid ghost story exploring identity, gender and selfhood, set against the backdrop of the golden age of polar exploration.
I know almost nothing about what this is about as all the blurbs seem both delightfully specific and wonderfully vague at the same time, but I’ve seen a lot of early hype and I do like a blisteringly cold setting for books in the Winter. My pre-order arrived early this morning!
25th January
A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee
A dark, twisty thriller about a centuries-old, ivy-covered boarding school haunted by its history of witchcraft and two girls dangerously close to digging up the past. The dangerous romance and atmospheric setting makes it a perfect read for fans of dark academia.
Witchcraft, dark academia, sapphic romance? This book is hitting a lot of my tastes at once and I’m glad this finally has a UK release date. I’ve had it pre-ordered for six months!
22nd February
Manhunt by Gretchen Felker-Martin
Y: The Last Man meets The Girl With All the Gifts in Gretchen Felker-Martin’s Manhunt, an explosive post-apocalyptic novel that follows trans women and men on a grotesque journey of survival.
I can’t remember how I found this book, it’s been on my radar that long. Any book with a comparison to Y: The Last Man piques my interest and the reviews for this sound like it’ll ruin a reader in all the best ways.
22nd March
We All Fall Down by Rose Szabo
The first book in a dark fantasy YA duology by the author of What Big Teeth, about the power and danger of stories and the untold costs of keeping magic alive.
I read Rose Szabo’s debut in 2021 and adored it. I said at the time that I was excited to see what they wrote next and here we are! I’m not much of a fantasy YA reader but I will make an exception.
7th June
Fault Tolerance by Valerie Valdes
From the author of the critically acclaimed Prime Deceptions and Chilling Effect, the hilarious new novel about the adventures of Captain Eva Innocente and the crew of La Sirena Negra.
I’m avoiding the blurb on this one as I haven’t finished Prime Deceptions yet but Valerie Valdes is my favourite sci-fi author. This series is lining up to be an all-time favourite.
23rd June
Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History the Oxford Translators’ Revolution by R. F. Kuang
Traduttore, traditore: An act of translation is always an act of betrayal. An incendiary new novel from award-winning author R.F. Kuang about the power of language, the violence of colonialism, and the sacrifices of resistance.
I am so excited to see R. F. Kuang writing a genre I adore, the good ol’ dark academia, while also discussing translation and colonialism. I’ve seen people rave and rave about her writing in The Poppy War trilogy and I’m ready to be broken.
18th August
The Golden Enclaves by Naomi Novik
Saving the world is a test no school of magic can prepare you for in the triumphant conclusion to the New York Times bestselling trilogy that began with A Deadly Education and The Last Graduate.
A Deadly Education was one of my favourite books that I read last year and the only reason I haven’t read The Last Graduate is my fear of the cliffhanger. September is so far away and I’m furious.
27th September
House of Hunger by Alexis Henderson
WANTED – Bloodmaid of exceptional taste. Must have a keen proclivity for life’s finer pleasures. Girls of weak will need not apply.
Alexis Henderson decided to put the sequel of The Year of the Witching to the side and I support her whole-heartedly. And she still managed to write this gothic (I’m pretty sure it’ll be a-) masterpiece. Nobody writes a story that’ll get into your soul better.
4th October
The Restless Truth by Freya Marske
The most interesting things in Maud Blyth’s life have happened to her brother Robin, but she’s ready to join any cause, especially if it involves magical secrets that may threaten the whole of the British Isles. Bound for New York on the R.M.S. Lyric, she’s ready for an adventure.
I read the first book in this trilogy for the blog tour (my review is here) and loved it. But, sapphic murder mystery on a boat? I may actually prefer this one.
1st November
The Sequel to The K.C. Warlock Weekly, Book One: Accused by M. N. Jolley
I have it on good authority (a tweet from the author) that I won’t have to wait long for the sequel to one of the best books I read last year so while there’s no date yet, please know that I will drop everything when it is released and you won’t hear from me for 2-5 business days.
This list started off at four, and is now at ten, which probably says a lot about how this plan of mine to prioritise backlist is going to go! What books are you most looking forward to this year?
Imogen's Typewriter. 