2022 was full of amazing book releases, but some stand out from the rest. Hundreds of organizations including The New York Times, Vogue, Amazon, Barnes & Nobel, Goodreads, Book Riot, Entertainment Weekly, and others publish a list of what they see as the best books from each year.

 

After reading through many of these lists, I found several that appeared on almost every one. To me, that was an indication that it truly was a great book. And even better, the library has all of these books! Read below to discover the best books of 2022 covering the fiction, mystery, romance, science fiction, and historical fiction genres that appeared on multiple national lists.

 

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin is the pick for best fiction book. This is a modern love story about two childhood friends, Sam and Sadie, who reunite as adults to create video games, finding an intimacy in digital worlds that eludes them in their real lives. It is a New York Times Bestseller and winner of the Goodreads Choice Award.

 

The Maid by Nita Prose is well deserving of the 2022 best mystery title. The main character, Molly Gray, is not like everyone else. She lives an orderly life and finds comfort in routine. Molly's orderly life is upended the day she enters a suite to find a wealthy man murdered in his bed. Before she knows what's happening, Molly's unusual demeanor has the police targeting her as their lead suspect. Can they find the real killer before it’s too late? This is a New York Times Bestseller and Good Morning America Book Club Pick.

 

Book Lovers by Emily Henry is the top romance pick for 2022. Nora Stephens is a literary agent who has had her share of heartbreaks. On a girls’ trip with her sister, Nora keeps bumping into standoffish editor, Charlie. As they’re thrown together again and again, they start to develop a surprising bond. This is a New York Times Bestseller and named most anticipated book of 2022 by Oprah Daily.

 

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel is last year’s top science fiction title. A detective in the Night City investigates an anomaly in the North American wilderness and uncovers a series of lives upended. What he witnesses will give him the chance to do something that will disrupt the timeline of the universe. This is a New York Times Bestseller and winner of the Goodreads Choice Award.

 

Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid is rightfully the best historical fiction title from last year. Professional tennis player Carrie Soto is fierce, and that has come at a cost. But by the time she retires from tennis, she is the best player the world has ever seen. At thirty-seven years old, Carrie makes the monumental decision to come out of retirement and be coached by her father for one last year in an attempt to reclaim her record, and it’s one epic, final season. This is a New York Times Bestseller and voted one of the best books of the year by NPR and Reader’s Digest.