Our Most Anticipated New Book Releases of March 2022

After her mother passes away, Katy takes a solo summer trip to the Amalfi Coast, originally planned for her and her mother to go on together. When the 30-year-old version of her mother suddenly appears, she is able to develop a new relationship with the side of her she never knew. Rebecca Serle gives us unputdownable love stories time and time again, but this time, it’s the unbreakable bond between a mother and daughter pulling at our heartstrings. Perfect for fans of Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner and The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. 

Families can be problematic; ancestors can be a minefield. Maud Newton takes the plunge and wrestles with her own family’s complicated past and asks the question: Who are these people who came before us and what do they have to say about who we are?

We are all familiar with the name John Wilkes Booth — the stage actor best known for the 1865 assassination of Abraham Lincoln in Ford’s Theatre. But how often do we think about the family he came from and the one he left behind? Booth tells the story of the theatrical family that took center stage in the nation’s history in more ways than one. From the Man Booker finalist and author of We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves, Karen Joy Fowler. 

With pitch-perfect detail, Anne Tyler’s latest, French Braid, is both heartbreaking and hilarious, telling the insightful story of the Garrett family decade by decade from 1959 to the present day. Fans of other Anne Tyler novels are in for a treat with this one. 

It’s 1947 and Maddie Sykes has just arrived in Bright Leaf, North Carolina — the tobacco capital of the South. When she unexpectedly finds herself as the head seamstress in town, dressing the most elegant of women, she begins to uncover some hidden truths about Big Tobacco.  If you loved The Lost Apothecary from one of our previous B&N Discover authors, Sarah Penner, we highly recommend this dazzling debut from Adele Myers!

Weaving together three different perspectives, The Last Confessions of Sylvia P. tells the fictional story behind the classic semi-autobiographical novel, The Bell Jar. Perfect for fans of Strange Contagion and Mrs. Fletcher.

Inspired by the unexpected fall of the Zimbabwean president in 2017 and the resulting hashtags referencing Animal Farm on social media, Glory tells the story of the leader of a fictional African country’s fall from power and the events that ensue in the aftermath — as narrated by the animals of the nation. This first in a two-book deal is one of our most anticipated titles for 2022. The perfect read for fans of We Need New Names, Black Leopard, Red Wolf and Behold the Dreamers. 

After the loss of her mother, indie musician Greta James finds herself lost and broken. When she reluctantly joins her father on an Alaskan cruise intended for her parents’ 40^th anniversary, Greta comes face-to-face with reality and the decision of determining what her future holds. The Unsinkable Greta James is Jennifer E. Smith’s seamless transition from young adult novels to adult and is perfect for fans of Evvie Drake Starts Over. 

The star of such amazing hits like Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul likes to think of himself as a comedian first. His background prior to his award-winning stint as a two-bit lawyer was as a comedy sketch writer for Saturday Night Live and doing stand-up comedy. And yet, here he is today, a dramatic actor and an action hero. The unpredictable life of a Hollywood star told in the breathless, funny way of a comedian.

James Patterson AND Dolly Parton in the same room is enough to give pause. But the thought of them writing a book together? We can just about hear Dolly’s voice come through here as she teams up with Patterson for their writing duo debut. A lot of suspense plus the life of a musician and the songs that make your heart ache. We’ve already put the needle on the record, flipped it over AND then flipped it over AGAIN. Repeat plays. Repeat reads.

After her debut novel, Dial A for Aunties, Jesse Q. Sutanto returns with her sense of humor, blending rom-com with cozy mystery for ANOTHER wedding. Always remember, there’s no one as ‘no nonsense’ as four protective aunts. Perfect for fans of The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang and The Au Pair by Emma Rous.

Peter Swanson’s Eight Perfect Murders was a B&N Monthly Pick in 2021 and we’re STILL thinking about it. Swanson’s stories linger long after the last page is turned. Not one to rest on his laurels, this is his second book since Eight Perfect Murders Which is great because now you can binge that, Every Vow You Break and then his latest, Nine Lives. Can your heart stand the suspense?

This first installment in the Overlay City Series takes place in the shadowy depths of New Orleans, this is the LGBTQIA+ paranormal romance detective story you’ve ached for. We can’t think of any recent title that includes as much diversity and inclusiveness in both plot AND character. A queer-positive supernatural story from a debut Black author? Yes please! 

With a gamer’s affinity for imagined worlds and the futurist’s gusto for embracing what comes next, Jane McGonigal urges us to place ourselves ten years hence, look around, imagine what might be, ask questions, run into walls, start anew. Imaginable is both argument for action and blueprint, an irresistible thought-experiment with practical, urgent application, a playful, provocative, and wildly inspiring read. Make the unimaginable imaginable and see the possibilities unfolding.

This dark academic fantasy debut has a cult following for a reason. Every decade, six of the most uniquely talented magicians are selected to join a secret society that cares for the lost library of Alexandria, but as with most elusive invitations, there’s a catch. This is a tale of power, privilege, magic and manipulation told through six extraordinary characters that will linger in your subconscious indefinitely. Believe the hype.

A fast-paced and humor-filled take on the Kaiju theme that centers around giant pandas in an alternate dimension here on Earth. This is John Scalzi at his best — it’s smart, action-packed, full of wit with just the right amount of tension … and did we mention there are GIANT PANDAS!? This one is escapist fun at its finest.

Atmospheric and haunting, Wild and Wicked Things is the perfect speculative escape. This beautifully written tale of queer love in an alternative post-WWI England invokes the glittering world of Gatsby with a blend of blood magic and gothic mystique. Perfect for those hungry for twists on the classics.

A magical tour through the past three decades (and more) of Asian American history and culture, a journey of sweat, tears, sacrifice, inspiration, disappointments, innovation and breaking through. Chock full of discoveries and hidden histories, told with a visual panache that keeps us turning pages, Rise is a celebration and revelation, a vastly important American story, and undeniably a blast to read.