In 2022, the ever-expansive YA genre is continuing to serve up a fresh selection of reads across every subgenre imaginable. Whether you’re looking for a Persian-folklore-inspired fantasy series, a charming LGBTQ+ rom-com, or a weighty exploration of what it means to be a young immigrant in the US, there’s a book on this list for you. As usual, there are plenty of heavy hitters releasing new titles this year, including Tahereh Mafi, Emma Lord, Tracy Deonn, and Sabaa Tahir, but readers should keep an eye out for buzzy debuts as well.
One of the biggest highlights of 2022 is Casey McQuiston’s YA debut, “I Kissed Shara Wheeler.” The fast-paced rom-com proves the author can effortlessly move between adult and YA novels without missing a beat. Linsey Miller is bringing fans of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” a retelling of the classic story from Prince Eric’s point of view, TJ Klune is returning to the world of YA to wrap up his The Extraordinaries series, and writing team Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka is releasing both a YA and an adult rom-com this year.
With so many big releases coming your way, one thing is certain: there’s no way you’re running out of YA books to add to your TBR in 2022.
– Additional reporting by Alicia Geigel and Iyana Jones