2022 Book Award Roundup

By Ashly Moore Sheldon • December 22, 2022

As the year draws to a close, we decided it was a good time to pull together a roundup of some of the recipients of literature's most distinguished awards and honors. Read on to get acquainted with 2022's celebrated books.

National Book Awards

The National Book Foundation, established in 1936, aims to celebrate the best literature published in the United States, expand its audience, and ensure that books have a prominent place in our culture.

Fiction—The Rabbit Hutch

This debut by Tess Gunty centers on the lives of residents in a low-cost housing complex over the course of one week in a post-industrial Indiana town.

Nonfiction—South to America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation

Princeton professor and Alabama native Imani Perry offers a fascinating journey through the history, rituals, and landscapes of the American South

Poetry—Punks: New & Selected Poems

This treasury by John Keene weaves together historic narratives of loss, lust, and love, expressing extraordinary range, vision, depth, and humanity.

Translated Literature—Seven Empty Houses

Argentinian author Samanta Schweblin's blazing collection reveals surreal truths about our sense of home, belonging, and human connection. Translated by Megan McDowell.

Young People's Literature—All My Rage

In this heart-wrenching novel from Sabaa Tahir, two Pakistani-American teenagers deal with family upheaval and social estrangement in a small California town.

Pulitzer Prize

Beginning in 1917, the Pulitzer Prize has been awarded across 22 categories in journalism and the arts each year. Here are a few of the exciting books that received awards this year.

Fiction—The Netanyahus: An Account of a Minor and Ultimately Even Negligible Episode in the History of a Very Famous Family

Joshua Cohen's tightly wound historical novel explores the Jewish-American experience, presenting volatile ideas and disputes along the way.

History—2 Winners

Covered with Night: A Story of Murder and Indigenous Justice in Early America

In this gripping account, Nicole Eustace describes how the murder of a Native American man led to the oldest continuously recognized treaty in the U.S.

Cuba: An American History

Spanning five centuries on the controversial island, Ada Ferrer's compelling history transforms how we think about interactions between the U.S. and Cuba.

Nonfiction—Invisible Child: Poverty, Survival & Hope in an American City

Andrea Elliott presents a portrait of resilience amid institutional failure in an affecting account of a girl coming of age during New York City's homeless crisis.

The Edgar Awards

Named for Edgar Allan Poe, these awards honor the best in mystery and crime literature, television, film, and theater. Here are the 2022 winners in some of our favorite categories.

Novel—Five Decembers

December 1941, Honolulu: As America teeters on the edge of war, detective Joe McGrady receives the assignment of his life in this thriller by James Kestrel.

Debut Novel by an American Author—Deer Season

In this novel by Erin Flanagan, a small farming community grapples with troubling questions about family, loyalty, and love when a local girl goes missing.

True Crime—Last Call: A True Story of Love, Lust, and Murder in Queer New York

This gripping narrative by Elon Green tells the story of the decades-long chase to find an elusive '80s and '90s serial killer and the vibrant community he targeted.

Juvenile—Concealed

Katrina's family is part of the Witness Protection Program. A search to find her missing parents uncovers dangerous secrets. This middle-grade thriller comes from Christina Diaz Gonzalez.

Young Adult—Firekeepers Daughter

Angeline Boulley's novel tells the story of 18-year-old Daunis Fontaine. After she witnesses a shocking murder, she embarks on a mission to root out corruption in her community.

The Booker Prize

Established in 1969, this distinguished award is given to one English-language novel per year.

The Seven Moons of Maali America

Shehan Karunatilaka's second novel is a searing, mordantly funny satire set amid the murderous mayhem of a Sri Lanka beset by civil war.

Hugo Awards

First presented in 1953, The Hugo Awards stand as science fiction's most prestigious award. Here is a selection of this year's winners:

Novel—A Desolation Called Peace

The spectacular space opera sequel to Arkady Martine's genre-reinventing, Hugo Award-winning debut, A Memory Called Empire.

Novella—A Psalm for the Wild-Built

Centuries ago, robots gained self-awareness and abandoned their makers. But now one has returned. Becky Chambers's solarpunk series offers hope for the future.

Series—Wayward Children

Seanan McGuire's fantasy series takes place at a boarding school for children who have journeyed to magical lands before being forcibly returned to the "real" world.

Graphic Story or Comic—Far Sector

The first murder in 500 years. Twenty billion suspects. One hope. Award-winning author N.K. Jemisin joins artist Jamal Campbell in this thrilling sci-fi mystery.

Newbery, Caldecott, and Coretta Scott King

The Newbery, Caldecott, and Coretta Scott King Book Awards are some of the most coveted prizes for original and creative content published for young readers. Here are this year's winners.

Newbery Medal—The Last Cuentista

Donna Barba Higuera's middle grade science fiction novel is a brilliant space epic about a girl who must journey through space after earth is destroyed by a comet.

Caldecott Medal—Watercress

With stunning illustrations by Jason Chin, Andrea Wang's simple tale is about a first generation girl learning to celebrate her Chinese heritage.

Coretta Scott King Award—Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre

Celebrated author Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrator Floyd Cooper give a powerful look at one of the worst incidents of racial violence in our nation's history.

Awards like these help to highlight excellent reads that may otherwise not get the attention they deserve. We hope you have a chance to check out some of the exciting titles from 2022.