It’s a new year which means it’s time to set some new goals! I never make any resolutions, but I think it’s a great process to reset, evaluate your goals and challenge yourself to achieve new things. Every year I set a new reading goal for myself. Being mindful and intentional about what I hope to get from my hobby helps to keep me dedicated and purposeful with my limited spare reading time. 2022 promises to be a big year for new books. If you are interested in more recommendations and reviews, please follow me on Instagram at @DownToGetTheFictionOn. This month I’ve got a mix of upcoming 2022 books that I loved and a couple of backlist favorites. Most of these recommendations have some element of health and wellness included in the story whether that be mental health or personal growth from a character. I hope as you read these books you will relate to or find compassion for these characters, their struggles, celebrate their accomplishments and laugh along with them and maybe find a new favorite book along the way.
Contemporary Fiction – BLACK CAKE by Charmaine Wilkerson (On Sale 2/1/22)
Bryon and Benny have been estranged for many years until their mother dies and leaves behind recordings that they must listen to together and one last traditional black cake for them to share. As they begin to navigate through this puzzling and at times heartbreaking story, they each struggle to come to grips with their own past and the past of these people they’re learning about for the first time. Will these recordings bring them closer together or are there too many secrets that will drive them further apart? BLACK CAKE is a fantastic novel that focuses on families and choices in a subtle but powerful way. There’s much to be learned about in this story and I was engrossed from the very beginning. Look for this book on many 2022 book lists as it’s bound to be a bestseller!
Romance – WEATHER GIRL by Rachel Lynn Solomon (On Sale 1/11/22)
Ari has her dream job as an on-camera meteorologist working for her childhood hero, Torrance Hale. Torrance is more of an evil boss than loving mentor since she and Seth, her ex-husband/station boss can’t keep their hostile fights out of the office. After the Hales ruin another work function, Ari teams up with Russell, her quiet sports desk co-worker, to “Parent Trap” their bosses. What Ari didn’t plan on happening was growing closer to Russell. With her own history of failed relationships and a complicated family dynamic, Ari’s not sure she’s ready to let someone new into her life and may still have time to build back up those walls before it’s too late. I loved this story! There is wonderful representation throughout the book and it takes on many serious issues such as mental health while never losing its humor or fun nature. Be warned this is a steamy romance!
Historical Fiction – THE ARSONISTS’ CITY by Hala Alyan
The Nasrs are bound together even though they’re spread across the world. When their father makes the unpopular decision to sell the family home in Beirut, the three adult children along with their reluctant mother all must travel back to their ancestral home. As they’ve spent much of their adult lives separated by distance, the Nasrs will be confronted with their complicated lives when they are no longer able to hide their family’s secrets. This multigenerational story seamlessly weaves the past and present together as we uncover more about the Nasr family. Rich with culture, THE ARSONISTS’ CITY in an unflinching tale about family, love and history. While complex and deep, this book is so well written it’s easy to become completely invested in the lives of the Nasr family.
Science Fiction – HOW HIGH WE GO IN THE DARK by Sequoia Nagamatsu (On Sale 1/18/22)
When a researcher in 2030 discovers a long-buried virus in Siberia, the team works to figure out how to contain the ancient virus. Once unleashed, this new-old virus will move across the Earth and change the scope of the planet in unimaginable ways. Readers are then taken on a journey as humans must navigate this new life 5 years, 10 years and many years later. From virtual reality cafes to intergalactic adventures, this wide sweeping intricate novel connects stories in a marvelous, captivating way. As many of these stories are delicately intertwined, this is one to be read slowly and attentively. This is a genre that I don’t always love but this book I would recommend over and over again!
Thriller – REAL EASY by Marie Rutkoski (On Sale 1/18/22)
Samantha is a gorgeous young woman who loves her somewhat jealous boyfriend and his precocious daughter. Sam’s successful at her job but when she takes a young co-worker under her wing, the lines between professional and personal become blurred especially when they both go missing. With so many secrets and lies being told at the Lovely Lady, the search to find them is not easy. REAL EASY is a thriller, so expect some dark dialogue. This is a character driven, slow burn thriller that is not going to give you whiplash with all of the shocking plot twists and red herrings.
Non-Fiction Essays – CRAIGSLIST CONFESSIONAL by Helena Dea Bala
Have you ever felt compelled to share a secret with a stranger or maybe tell someone something about yourself without any repercussions or judgment? Helena Dea Bala decided to place an ad in Craigslist seeking people who wanted to tell a stranger about themselves. What started small became a full-time commitment as Dea Bala navigated the emotional journey of learning other people’s secrets. Through this experience, these strangers all were able to tell their truth and for many this became a cathartic experience. In this collection of essays, you’ll read stories for which you can relate and stories that are unlike anything you’ve personally experienced all while feeling the unblinding compassion that Dea Bala holds for each stranger. As we all have different paths and hurdles in life, CRAIGSLIST CONFESSIONAL is a great reminder that there is often a lot that bonds us together through shared experiences in grief, regret, love, family and relationships.
