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The Guardian

The Guardian Best Books of the Year 2022

The Guardian Best Books of the Year 2022 names 157 books across 12 categories. 54 of them also won or were shortlisted for an award.

Biography and memoir

  1. A Pocketful of Happiness by Richard E Grantsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Agatha Christie: A Very Elusive Woman by Lucy Worsleysource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Finding Me by Viola Davissource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Homelands by Chitra Ramaswamysource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Love the Dark Days by Ira Mathursource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Madly, Deeply by Alan Rickmansource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Managing Expectations by Minnie Driversource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Original Sins by Matt Rowland Hillsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Sins of My Father by Lily Dunnsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Super-Infinite by Katherine Rundellsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. The Crane Wife by CJ Hausersource (opens in a new tab)
  12. The Escape Artist by Jonathan Freedlandsource (opens in a new tab)
  13. The Last Days by Ali Millarsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. The Light We Carry by Michelle Obamasource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Without Warning and Only Sometimes by Kit de Waalsource (opens in a new tab)

Children's and young adult

  1. Britannica’s Baby Encyclopedia by Sally Symes and Hanako Clulowsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Creature by Shaun Tansource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Dogs of the Deadlands by Anthony McGowan and Keith Robinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Five Survive by Holly Jacksonsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Leila and the Blue Fox by Kiran Millwood Hargravesource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Listen to the Music by Mary Richardssource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Meanwhile Back on Earth by Oliver Jefferssource (opens in a new tab)
  8. The Bedtime Book of Impossible Questions by Isabel Thomas and Aaron Cushleysource (opens in a new tab)
  9. The Boy Who Lost His Spark by Maggie O’Farrell and Daniela Terrazzinisource (opens in a new tab)
  10. The Collectors by Philip Pullman and Tom Duxburysource (opens in a new tab)
  11. The Midnight Panther by Poonam Mistrysource (opens in a new tab)
  12. The Tale of Truthwater Lake by Emma Carrollsource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Tyger by SF Said and Dave McKeansource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Well, That Was Unexpected by Jesse Q Sutantosource (opens in a new tab)

Crime and thrillers

  1. A Heart Full of Headstones by Ian Rankinsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A World of Curiosities by Louise Pennysource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Bleeding Heart Yard by Elly Griffithssource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Blue Water by Leonora Nattrasssource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Breaking Point by Olivier Noreksource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Give Unto Others by Donna Leonsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Hawk Mountain by Conner Habibsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Maror by Lavie Tidharsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. May God Forgive by Alan Parkssource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Meantime by Frankie Boylesource (opens in a new tab)
  11. More Than You’ll Ever Know by Katie Gutierrezsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Queen High by CJ Careysource (opens in a new tab)
  13. The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osmansource (opens in a new tab)
  14. The Cook by Ajay Chowdhurysource (opens in a new tab)
  15. The Devil Takes You Home by Gabino Iglesiassource (opens in a new tab)
  16. The Lost Man of Bombay by Vaseem Khansource (opens in a new tab)
  17. The Maid by Nita Prosesource (opens in a new tab)
  18. The Moose Paradox by Antti Tuomainensource (opens in a new tab)
  19. The Murder Book by Mark Billinghamsource (opens in a new tab)
  20. The Partisan by Patrick Worrallsource (opens in a new tab)
  21. The Twyford Code by Janice Hallettsource (opens in a new tab)
  22. The Undiscovered Deaths of Grace McGill by CS Robertsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Wake by Shelley Burrsource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllistersource (opens in a new tab)

Fiction

  1. A Hunger by Ross Raisinsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. After Sappho by Selby Wynn Schwartzsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Amy & Lan by Sadie Jonessource (opens in a new tab)
  4. An Olive Grove in Ends by Moses McKenziesource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Bournville by Jonathan Coesource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Companion Piece by Ali Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Delphi by Clare Pollardsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Glory by NoViolet Bulawayosource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Harrow by Joy Williamssource (opens in a new tab)
  10. I’m Sorry You Feel That Way by Rebecca Waitsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. I’m a Fan by Sheena Patelsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Lessons by Ian McEwansource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmussource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Liberation Day by George Saunderssource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Marigold and Rose by Louise Glücksource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Remote Sympathy by Catherine Chidgeysource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Reward System by Jem Caldersource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Send Nudes by Saba Samssource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Shrines of Gaiety by Kate Atkinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Stella Maris by Cormac McCarthysource (opens in a new tab)
  21. The Book of Goose by Yiyun Lisource (opens in a new tab)
  22. The Candy House by Jennifer Egansource (opens in a new tab)
  23. The Exhibitionist by Charlotte Mendelsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  24. The Furrows by Namwali Serpellsource (opens in a new tab)
  25. The Last White Man by Mohsin Hamidsource (opens in a new tab)
  26. The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrellsource (opens in a new tab)
  27. The Passenger by Cormac McCarthysource (opens in a new tab)
  28. The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilakasource (opens in a new tab)
  29. The Trees by Percival Everettsource (opens in a new tab)
  30. The Whale Tattoo by Jon Ransomsource (opens in a new tab)
  31. Time Shelter by Georgi Gospodinovsource (opens in a new tab)
  32. To Paradise by Hanya Yanagiharasource (opens in a new tab)
  33. Trespasses by Louise Kennedysource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Trust by Hernan Diazsource (opens in a new tab)
  35. Very Cold People by Sarah Mangusosource (opens in a new tab)
  36. Vladimir by Julia May Jonassource (opens in a new tab)
  37. We Move by Gurnaik Johalsource (opens in a new tab)
  38. When I Sing, Mountains Dance by Irene Solàsource (opens in a new tab)
  39. Yoga by Emmanuel Carrèresource (opens in a new tab)
  40. Young Mungo by Douglas Stuartsource (opens in a new tab)

Food

  1. Cooking: Simply and Well, for One or Many by Jeremy Leesource (opens in a new tab)
  2. India Express by Rukmini Iyersource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Modern Pressure Cooking by Catherine Phippssource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Take Away: Stories from a Childhood Behind the Counter by Angela Huisource (opens in a new tab)
  5. The Joy of Snacks by Laura Goodmansource (opens in a new tab)
  6. West Winds: Recipes, History and Tales from Jamaica by Riaz Phillipssource (opens in a new tab)

Graphic novels

  1. Acting Class by Nick Drnasosource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Alison by Lizzy Stewartsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Anatomy of Comics by Damien MacDonaldsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Birds of Maine by Michael DeForgesource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Days of Sand by Aimée de Jonghsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Ducks by Kate Beatonsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. One Beautiful Spring Day by Jim Woodringsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Oxygen Mask by Jason Reynolds and Jason Griffinsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Talk to My Back by Yamada Murasakisource (opens in a new tab)
  10. The Con Artists by Luke Healysource (opens in a new tab)
  11. The Joy of Quitting by Keiler Robertssource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Two Heads by Uta Frith, Chris Frith, Alex Frith and Daniel Lockesource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Who Will Make the Pancakes by Megan Kelsosource (opens in a new tab)

History and politics

  1. Girly Drinks: A World History of Women and Alcohol by Mallory O’Mearasource (opens in a new tab)
  2. How to Stand Up to a Dictator by Maria Ressasource (opens in a new tab)
  3. My Fourth Time, We Drowned: Seeking Refuge on the World’s Deadliest Migration Route by Sally Haydensource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Rule, Nostalgia: A Backwards History of Britain by Hannah Rose Woodssource (opens in a new tab)
  5. The Curtain and the Wall: A Modern Journey Along Europe’s Cold War Border by Timothy Phillipssource (opens in a new tab)
  6. The Persuaders: Winning Hearts and Minds in a Divided Age by Anand Giridharadassource (opens in a new tab)
  7. The Siege of Loyalty House: A Civil War Story by Jessie Childssource (opens in a new tab)
  8. The Wrath to Come: Gone With the Wind and the Lies America Tells by Sarah Churchwellsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Uncommon Wealth: Britain and the Aftermath of Empire by Kojo Koramsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. What Just Happened?! Dispatches from Turbulent Times by Marina Hydesource (opens in a new tab)

Music

  1. Denim and Leather by Michael Hannsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Exit Stage Left: The Curious Afterlife of Pop Stars by Nick Duerdensource (opens in a new tab)
  3. In Perfect Harmony: Singalong Pop in 70s Britain by Will Hodgkinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop by Danyel Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story by Bonosource (opens in a new tab)
  6. The Come Up by Jonathan Abramssource (opens in a new tab)

Poetry

  1. 100 Queer Poems by Mary Jean Chan and Andrew McMillansource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Bless the Daughter Raised By a Voice in Her Head by Warsan Shiresource (opens in a new tab)
  3. C+nto & Othered Poems by Joelle Taylorsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Home Is Not a Place by Roger Robinson and Johny Pittssource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Manorism by Yomi Sodesource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Quiet by Victoria Adukwei Bulleysource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Refractive Africa by Will Alexandersource (opens in a new tab)
  8. The English Summer by Holly Hopkinssource (opens in a new tab)
  9. The Illustrated Woman by Helen Mortsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. The Trees Witness Everything by Victoria Changsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Unexhausted Time by Emily Berrysource (opens in a new tab)

Science

  1. An Immense World by Ed Yongsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Beyond the Hype by Fiona Foxsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Elusive by Frank Closesource (opens in a new tab)
  4. How to Prevent the Next Pandemic by Bill Gatessource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Song of the Cell by Siddhartha Mukherjeesource (opens in a new tab)
  6. The Facemaker by Lindsey Fitzharrissource (opens in a new tab)
  7. The Metaverse by Matthew Ballsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. This Mortal Coil by Andrew Doigsource (opens in a new tab)

Science fiction and fantasy

  1. Babel by RF Kuangsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Beyond the Burn Line by Paul McAuleysource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Deep Wheel Orcadia by Harry Josephine Gilessource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Goliath by Tochi Onyebuchisource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Sea of Tranquility by Emily St John Mandelsource (opens in a new tab)

Sport

  1. A Delicate Game: Brain Injury, Sport and Sacrifice by Hana Walker-Brownsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A New Formation: How Black Footballers Shaped the Modern Game by Calum Jacobssource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Being Geoffrey Boycott by Geoffrey Boycott and Jon Hottensource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Expected Goals: The Story of How Data Conquered Football and Changed the Game Forever by Rory Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. God Is Dead: The Rise and Fall of Frank Vandenbroucke, Cycling’s Great Wasted Talent by Andy McGrathsource (opens in a new tab)

About the The Guardian Best Books of the Year

The Guardian's year-end picks, one list per category, each chosen by a Guardian critic (fiction, crime, science fiction and fantasy, poetry, biography, politics, nature, food, sport, children's, graphic novels and others). 2009-2012 lists ran as critics' Christmas books-for-giving pieces. Left out: Observer pieces (a separate source here), roundups where many writers or public figures each name favourites, readers' and publishers' picks, stocking fillers and gift guides, books a critic panned, and picks with no named author. theguardian.com's robots.txt bars Claude crawlers, so pages were read through the Wayback Machine. Missing: 2006-2008 (no qualifying critic list found) and some categories in 2009-2014 and 2016-2017 that Wayback did not capture or index. Approved for use by the site owner on 2026-11-05.

Organization: The Guardian. Official site (opens in a new tab)

The most recommended books of 2022