We’re halfway through February, and if you have plans to read more books in 2022, it’s not too late to start.

You may be behind on your “one-book-a-month” goal, but don’t worry – there are plenty of books this year that will have you racing from cover to cover. This year, we anticipate a book debut from outspoken sex writer and content creator Oloni and the first-ever paperback release of “Recitatif” by the late Black feminist novelist Toni Morrison, originally written in 1983. Whether you want to indulge in more creative fiction or prefer a more educational read, these reads will keep you company this year. 

WAHALA, by Nikki May (Transworld Publishers, £14.99) 

Published January 11, 2022 

Many know the word “Wahala” to mean trouble, to which this book knows no stranger. Set in modern London, Wahala follows three mixed-race friends navigating their dual Nigerian and English identities. Boldly exploring themes of colourism, race, family and class, this book explores friendship in all its glory. 

MANIFESTO: ON NEVER GIVING UP, by Bernadine Evaristo (Grove Press, £14.99)

Published January 18, 2022

The first Black woman and Black British person to win the Booker prize, Bernadine Evaristo returns with a memoir on her own life. Tackling social issues and providing testimonies about her career, activism and creativity, Manifesto offers the complex backdrop to Evaristo’s incredible life story. 

BLACK CAKE, by Charmaine Wilkerson (Ballantine Books, £14.99)

Published February 01, 2022

Wilkerson’s debut novel follows a journey of self-discovery mapping the Caribbean, London and California. The story transcends the traditional timeline of past and present, moving through different timelines and characters to portray the complicated relationship between the self and what we inherit from our ancestors. 

BLACK JOY: STORIES OF RESISTANCE, RESILIENCE AND RESTORATION, by Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts (Gallery Books, £20.57) 

Published on February 01, 2022

In this collection of essays, Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts cites Black joy as a necessary tool of resistance and sustenance in Black communities globally. This book offers an alternative lens on Black histories, centring and uplifting a message of joy and collective memory over trauma narratives. 

RECITATIF, by Toni Morrison (Random House USA, £7.99) 

Published on February 03, 2022

With an introduction by Zadie Smith, this short story follows the complicated lives of two young women, one Black and the other white. Morrison leaves it up to the reader to interpret which character is of which race: a beautiful experiment, carefully executed by the magic of Morrison’s words. 

UNATTACHED: EMPOWERING ESSAYS ON SINGLEHOOD, edited by Angelica Malin (Square Peg, £14.99)

Published on February 03, 2022

“Unattached: Empowering Essays on Singlehood” explores the highs and lows of single life. With 30 contributors, including journalist and digital content producer Chanté Joseph and body-neutrality campaigner Stephanie Yeboah, this anthology tackles several important questions surrounding singlehood and the emphasis on romantic relationships for women of all ages. 

MOON WITCH, SPIDER KING: DARK STAR TRILOGY, by Marlon James (Doubleday, £20.00)

Published on February 15, 2022

Marlon James returns to disturb the epic fantasy genre in the second book of his trilogy, “Moon Witcher, Spider King: Dark Star Trilogy”. Following the first book, “Black Leopard, Red Wolf”, James takes a largely chronological approach to Sogolon’s story, delving further into the mythical African landscape presented in the first novel. 

GET RICH OR LIE TRYING, by Symeon Brown (Atlantic Books, £16.99)

Due to be published in March 2022 

Following the shocking report that more than one-fifth of children want to become influencers, this book explores why. “Get Rich or Lie trying” will expose the unclear reality behind the polished and filtered guise of social media. Brown intends to expose the veil of modern capitalism and how this “influencer economy” fits into the wider puzzle. 

RECLAIMING, by Yewande Biala (Hodder & Stoughton, £14.99) 

Due to be published in July 2022 

Love Island star and digital content creator Yewande Biala is very familiar with public opinion. In her upcoming book “Reclaiming”, Biala hopes to offer a warm voice for those who have felt out of place, in love, careers and beyond. The book will cover a wide range of topics, including racial renaming and microaggressions, all necessary conversations for our current climate. 

THE BIG O, by Oloni (Harper Collins Publishers)

Due to be published September 2022 

Sex writer and dating expert Oloni has upgraded from scandalous Twitter threads and is set to release her debut book on nothing other than the orgasm gap. Following her Netflix special “Sex: Unzipped”, Oloni describes this new book as a guide “to loving, dating and f*cking”. Sounds great to us. 

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