5 More Books I Want to Read in 2022

Anticipated releases and old favorites to read this summer

At the beginning of the year, I made a new year’s resolution to read more books.

To motivate myself, I picked five books that I wanted to finish by the end of the year. (You can read that list here)

Writing that list helped me prioritize which books were at the top of my TBR (to-be-read pile) and made me excited to read them soon. And five months later, I actually ended up reading all of those books that I had planned.

So, I am here with another hopeful book list. Here are five books that I want to read this summer and why:

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery Release Date: 2001 Pages: 487

“Barcelona, 1945: A city slowly heals from its war wounds, and Daniel, an antiquarian book dealer’s son who mourns the loss of his mother, finds solace in a mysterious book entitled The Shadow of the Wind, by one Julian Carax. But when he sets out to find the author’s other works, he makes a shocking discovery: someone has been systematically destroying every copy of every book Carax has written. In fact, Daniel may have the last of Carax’s books in existence.” — Goodreads description

We follow a boy on an adventure to discover the mystery surrounding a book’s disappearance. I love books about books, so the premise alone got me excited.

I also love that this book combines so many different genres, like mystery and historical fiction. I think the story will enchant me and keep me on the edge of my toes. It’s a pretty popular read, and most people seem to like it.

This book was originally written in Spanish, so I am looking forward to expanding my list of translated fiction too.

Normal People by Sally Rooney

Genre: Contemporary Fiction Release Date: 2018 Pages: 273

“At school Connell and Marianne pretend not to know each other. He’s popular and well-adjusted, star of the school soccer team while she is lonely, proud, and intensely private. But when Connell comes to pick his mother up from her housekeeping job at Marianne’s house, a strange and indelible connection grows between the two teenagers — one they are determined to conceal.” — Goodreads description

If you’re anywhere in the book community on the internet (like Youtube, Instagram, or TikTok), you’ve probably heard of Normal People. It’s incredibly popular while also extremely polarizing.

I requested this book from the library and actually already started it. Initially, I wasn’t sure if I liked the book. I found the writing style hard to connect with and the characters unlikeable. But as I’ve continued reading it, I’m enjoying it more.

I originally picked this book up because I was talking about it with one of my best friends who had read it and wanted to know what I thought of it. I’m interested to see how I like the rest of the book, and whether or not this popular book will end up being a favorite of mine.

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

Genre: Contemporary Romance Release Date: 2022 Pages: 377

“Nora is a ruthlessly ambitious literary agent who identifies more with the villains in romance movies than the heroines. Swayed by her sister to spend the summer together in a picturesque small-town, the last person she expects to run into is Charlie — the surly editor she’s avoided ever since their disastrous first meeting.” — Taylor Jenkins Reid’s review of Book Lovers on Goodreads

I loved Emily Henry’s other books, Beach Read and People We Meet on Vacation, so I am interested in seeing what I think of this one. Her books are always well-written with fleshed-out, lifelike characters. My favorite thing about her books is that they aren’t just a romance; they also explore themes such as family or career.

This book also stood out to me because the characters work in publishing: Nora is a literary agent and Charlie is a book editor. As someone who loves books and is fascinated by the process of writing and publishing, learning about their professions in the book excites me.

Book Lovers only came out in early May, but already a lot of reviews have come in. Some say that this is their least favorite Emily Henry book so far, while others loved it. So, we’ll see where I fall.

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

Genre: Nonfiction (Memoir, Writing) Release Date: 1994 Pages: 222

“Thirty years ago my older brother, who was ten years old at the time, was trying to get a report on birds written that he’d had three months to write. It was due the next day. We were out at our family cabin in Bolinas, and he was at the kitchen table close to tears, surrounded by binder paper and pencils and unopened books on birds, immobilized by the hugeness of the task ahead. Then my father sat down beside him, put his arm around my brother’s shoulder, and said, ‘Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.’” — Goodreads description

One of my goals this year is to read more nonfiction. Specifically, I want to read nonfiction about writing or creativity.

Bird by Bird is a book I’ve had my eye on for a while. It has been recommended to me by both friends and teachers.

This book is part memoir and part writing advice. I plan to read this one slowly and annotate as I go. That way, I can reference my highlights and sections later whenever I need some advice or encouragement.

Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson

Genre: Fantasy, Science-Fiction Release Date: 2013 Pages: 386

“Ten years ago, Calamity came. It was a burst in the sky that gave ordinary men and women extraordinary powers. The awed public started calling them Epics. But Epics are no friend of man. With incredible gifts came the desire to rule. And to rule man you must crush his will.

Nobody fights the Epics…nobody but the Reckoners. A shadowy group of ordinary humans, they spend their lives studying Epics, finding their weaknesses, and then assassinating them. And David wants in. He wants Steelheart — the Epic who is said to be invincible. The Epic who killed David’s father.” — Goodreads description

Superhero stories about revenge are some of my favorite things to read (or watch). One of my favorite books, Renegades by Marissa Meyer, has this same trope in it.

Brandon Sanderson is well-known in the sci-fi fantasy space, and I’ve always wanted to read a book by him. Steelheart is the first in a trilogy. I’m hoping I enjoy this book so I can pick up more of his backlog.

What books are you excited to read this summer? Are any of these on your list?

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