The 25 best books of 2022
The 25 highest-ranked books first published in 2022 in our ranking of 2,819, scored on how much readers love them, their prize, best-list and bestseller record, and current buzz. We rank 86 books of 2022 in all. How we rank
- 1
Demon Copperhead96.3Must-Read ScoreDemon Copperhead
Demon is one of the great narrators of recent fiction: funny, furious and impossible not to root for.
- 2
I'm Glad My Mom Died91.3Must-Read ScoreI'm Glad My Mom Died
The title is shocking, but the book is the opposite of cheap: it's funny, brutally honest and full of hard-won wisdom about family, control and recovery.
- 3
The Housemaid89.3Must-Read ScoreThe Housemaid
It's the definition of a page-turner: short chapters, a twisty plot and a payoff that made millions of people pass it on to friends.
- 4
Remarkably Bright Creatures87.4Must-Read ScoreRemarkably Bright Creatures
It's charming, funny and full of heart, and Marcellus, who narrates some chapters himself, is one of the most beloved characters in recent fiction.
- 5Unreasonable Hospitality83.3Must-Read Score
Unreasonable Hospitality
It has spent more than 120 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists and became a favorite after appearing on the TV series The Bear.
- 6
Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America83.3Must-Read ScoreBlack AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America
It spent more than forty weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists and was a Goodreads Choice finalist.
- 7
Finding Me83.1Must-Read ScoreFinding Me
It hit #1 on the New York Times list, and her reading of the audiobook won the Grammy.
- 8
An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us82.9Must-Read ScoreAn Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us
It was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Goodreads Choice Award.
- 9
Reminders of Him82.7Must-Read ScoreReminders of Him
It was a Goodreads Choice finalist and one of the best-selling books of its year.
- 10
Septology81.6Must-Read ScoreSeptology
The New York Times named it one of the best books of the 21st century, and Jon Fosse won the Nobel Prize.
- 11The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times81.4Must-Read Score
The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times
It spent eight weeks at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list.
- 12
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow79.5Must-Read ScoreTomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
It won the Goodreads Choice Award for fiction, and the New York Times named it one of the best books of the 21st century.
- 13
Babel78.4Must-Read ScoreBabel
It won the Nebula Award and was a Goodreads Choice finalist.
- 14In the Blood77.0Must-Read Score
In the Blood
It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list.
- 15
The Escape Artist76.2Must-Read ScoreThe Escape Artist
It was a finalist for the Baillie Gifford Prize and the Goodreads Choice Award.
- 16
The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture76.0Must-Read ScoreThe Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture
It was a Goodreads Choice finalist and a bestseller.
- 17
Stay True75.4Must-Read ScoreStay True
It won the Pulitzer Prize for memoir and the National Book Critics Circle Award.
- 18Beyond the Wand75.0Must-Read Score
Beyond the Wand
It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list.
- 19
Book Lovers74.5Must-Read ScoreBook Lovers
It won the Goodreads Choice Award for romance and hit #1 on the New York Times list.
- 20
Every Summer After74.2Must-Read ScoreEvery Summer After
It was a Goodreads Choice finalist and a huge hit with romance readers.
- 21
Carrie Soto Is Back74.1Must-Read ScoreCarrie Soto Is Back
It won the Goodreads Choice Award for historical fiction.
- 22
Things We Never Got Over73.9Must-Read ScoreThings We Never Got Over
It hit #1 on the New York Times list and was a Goodreads Choice finalist.
- 23A World of Curiosities73.7Must-Read Score
A World of Curiosities
It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list.
- 24
Part of Your World73.3Must-Read ScorePart of Your World
It was a Goodreads Choice finalist.
- 25
Some Desperate Glory73.2Must-Read ScoreSome Desperate Glory
It won the Hugo Award for best novel and was a Goodreads Choice finalist.