Our Most Anticipated New Book Releases of February 2022

A reimagining of The Brothers Karamazov, The Family Chao successfully combines a propulsive literary mystery, a generational family drama, and the American immigrant story into one can’t-put-it-down novel. Be sure to check out Lan Samantha Chang this month on Poured Over: The B&N Podcast as well as an exclusive B&N Reads guest post from the author.

Two American students abroad find themselves at the center of murder and celebrity. Calla Henkel brilliantly stages a cat-and-mouse game between a well-known thriller novelist and two art students, one that explores the intensity of female friendships, millennial life, and identity. “Darkly funny, psychologically rich and utterly addictive … a harrowing tale of twisty female friendships, slippery identity and furtive secrets.” —Megan Abbott, author of The Turnout

A woman on the sidelines for one of the most sensational scandals of the 1920s takes center stage in this historical adventure, with a writing style that nods to the manner of Ms. Christie herself. A scintillating new take on the intriguing, real-life disappearance of one of the greatest mystery writers of all time. Perfect for fans of The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict and A Good Neighborhood by Therese Anne Fowler.

Estranged siblings come together to deal with their mother’s death and solve the mystery of her secret past — a journey of discovery that takes them to far off places and ends with her famous black cake. This family saga is full of secrets, betrayal, love, tradition, and in the end, acceptance. Told in dual timelines, we see the story of Eleanor Bennett unfold. This book will stay with you, as well as a craving for Caribbean black cake. A great read for fans of The Vanishing Half or Transcendent Kingdom.

This sharp, provocative debut dives deep into issues of power, misogyny, and relationships of all types through the lens of a female English professor whose husband (also a professor) is on the precipice of professional doom. When our narrator becomes increasingly obsessed with a new, young colleague named Vladimir to escape from her current life, things start to get wild. As her perspective and actions transform into outright absurdity, you settle in for the satire and hold on tight! Perfect for anyone who loves a campus novel or who enjoyed The Chair with Sandra Oh.

Fluid, mesmerizing and elegant, The Swimmers is a slim novel that packs an emotional punch from a modern master reaching new heights. A moving experience worth every minute spent reading it. Dive in. Be sure to check out Julie Otsuka, author of The Buddha in the Attic and When the Emperor Was Divine, this month on Poured Over: The B&N Podcast.

Why do all things happen in threes? Good and bad. The good and bad here is that Stephen King and Richard Chizmar bring us back to Gwendy Peterson’s story. The bad? Well, it’s the trilogy’s conclusion. That said, there’s better. Because now you can go back and start with book one, Gwendy’s Button Box, since it’s been five years since the trilogy began. And you know what they say about Stephen King: you can’t just read his books once!

Available in print for the first time, the second installment in this popular danmei series is just as swoon-worthy as the first. Even if you already read the series online or watched the anime adaptation, the love in Heaven Official’s Blessing is worth revisiting again and again.

When was the last time you evoked the word DELICIOUS while reading about dastardly events? Amateur sleuth and professional baker Hannah Swensen handles the duties of her avocation as well as her vocation! The mystery is page-turning AND the bakery treats are mouthwatering.

Some authors make us wait a year in between books. Others like to extend that wait. Lucy Foley is back after 2020’s The Guest List. The Paris Apartment is definitely worth the time in between so you can savor every moment of mystery as you did with The Guest List and The Hunting Party. On second thought – we can’t wait!

If you were hooked by Katrine Engberg’s previous book, The Butterfly House, the same way we were (it was Our Monthly Pick for Mystery/Thriller in September 2021), then you will be as equally excited for The Harbor. Detectives Jeppe Kørner and Anette Werner return in another fast-paced and rich Scandinavian noir.

For his 30th birthday, Kyle Scheele said goodbye to his 20s by burning a cardboard Viking ship to symbolically let go of his regrets, mistakes and anxieties of the past decade so he could look forward to a clean slate for his next decade. It’s an interesting meditation on letting go of the past which can be a big burden to carry. His “Viking burial” went viral online and is part of a trend on various social media platforms.

Once again Jennie Allen is back with the right book for the times. If there’s anything we’ve learned throughout the pandemic, it’s that friends and family matter far more than perhaps we realized. But how do we strengthen those ties and make new ones? Jennie Allen walks us through the answers to these questions and more.

It would be an understatement to say we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the writing duo known as Christina Lauren. Their writing dynamic has made many fans at Barnes & Noble with their hit The Unhoneymooners. Soulmate Equation continues their track record. What IS it about the chemistry of two people who fall in love? When done well, it seems like a sleight of hand. A perfect touch for magic of the heart.

A post-apocalyptic novel that is both a relatable epic of three generations of women and a commentary on modern family life. Dawson relates a terrifying tale about the cycle of abuse, but a propulsive story that is ultimately one of hope and resilience. “Delilah S. Dawson has crafted a pandemic thriller that’s so much more—a piercing examination of survival, courage, and self, terrifying and hopeful in equal measure.”—Peng Shepherd, author of The Book of M

Urban fantasy meets high fantasy, with all the witty dialogue and slow-burn romance we’ve come to expect from Sarah J. Maas. Bryce and Hunt are back! They may have saved the city, but they are once again pulled into the fight. And, in a world on the brink, staying silent is not an option. This second installment of the stunning Crescent City series is all we could ask for and MORE. Check out Sarah J. Maas this month on Poured Over: The B&N Podcast.

Set amid African legend and mythology, and the wildly imaginative and crazy talented mind of Marlon James, the Dark Star trilogy is an action-packed fantasy epic that feels old and yet, refreshingly new at the same time. In this second installment, we dive into Sogolon’s world, a woman shaped by violence, fighting to tell her story. This fierce tale is lyrical and provocative, wrapped in a world that pulls you in from the start. Be sure to check out Marlon James this month on Poured Over: The B&N Podcast as well as our roundup of James’ books.

Remember the 90s? Think you have that decade sized up neatly in your rearview mirror? After all, the 90s weren’t that long ago, or that consequential, right? Think again! Blending cultural observation and historical clue gathering, Chuck Klosterman, with his inimitable talent for relishing the hidden and reconciling the incongruous, teases out the zeitgeist of a deceptive era, one surprise connection after another. Be sure to check out Chuck Klosterman this month on Poured Over: The B&N Podcast as well as our roundup of Klosterman titles.