These will be the books of 2022
Some of Ireland’s most beloved authors are releasing new novels this year. Here are the ones you simply have to read
Is it the year of the long-awaited sequel? Irish publishing icons like Marian Keyes and John Boyne certainly seem to think so. It appears that many of our favourite authors have used the past few years to revisit past characters, or to reach new milestones. Sheila O’Flanagan is one such author — 25 years after the release of her debut Dreaming of a Stranger, this summer she is set to unveil her 30th book.
New books from much-loved writers such as Louise O’Neill, Sophie White and Michelle Gallen will no doubt be ideal book club choices in the months ahead too.
Marian Keyes
Again, Rachel, the sequel to Marian’s classic novel about addiction Rachel’s Holiday, shot to the number one spot on Irish and UK bestseller lists when it came out in February. Rachel has come a long way since her stint in rehab in the nineties, so much so that she is now working as an addiction counsellor. But when she runs into an old flame, she fears falling into her old ways. But maybe she is finally going to learn that, even at 50, it’s never too late to change.
Thank you @easons for this SPECTACULAR #RachelsBack extravaganza 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍 pic.twitter.com/PsTokLNZ49
— MarianKeyes has written a sequel to RachelsHoliday (@MarianKeyes) February 20, 2022
Sheila O’Flanagan
Sheila O’Flanagan is a master of storytelling, and is one of Ireland’s most successful authors. Her next novel is her 30th, and What Eden Did Next is a relatable, uplifting story of a woman who has her second chance at love after the death of her husband. But those around her are making their misgivings known — will that bring Eden and her new man, single dad Rafe, closer, or push them apart? Pre-order here.
Very excited to be sharing the cover of What Eden Did Next out on 28th April (28th June in US). Am hoping you’ll find Eden’s story uplifting and joyful! #WhatEdenDidNext #JoyfulReading #SummerReading #RomanticFiction @Mobius_Books @headlinepg @HeadlineAus |@HachetteIre pic.twitter.com/ax6lRIdG3X
— Sheila O’Flanagan 📚📚📚 (@sheilaoflanagan) January 27, 2022
Donal Ryan
From prize-winning author Donal Ryan, comes his sixth novel. Due out in August, The Queen of Dirt Island is a moving story about a family of women and the fierce loyalty that bonds them, in a world of betrayals and transgressions.
From the prize-winning author Donal Ryan, THE QUEEN OF DIRT ISLAND is a searing, jubilant story about four generations of women, fierce, loyal love and the powerful stories that bind generations together. Out 18 August. Pre-order now: https://t.co/Hf34huU0d7 pic.twitter.com/HbjTHmsRv4
— Penguin Books Ireland (@PenguinIEBooks) February 28, 2022
Louise O’Neill
A literary force, Louise O’Neill’s long-awaited new novel Idol follows a bestselling author who writes an essay that has unintended consequences. She shares the story of her sexual awakening with her female best friend in the essay, but her old friend reaches out, and claims to have a different, darker memory of that experience.
Who gets to tell the story?
Who do we choose to believe?
Whose ‘truth’ is really a lie? pic.twitter.com/ubx53YdgzP— Louise O’ Neill (@oneilllo) September 9, 2021
Jo Spain
Due in May, Jo Spain’s next crime thriller is set in a small town in Finland, where three women are missing, one body has been found, and the frozen lake may hold some answers. When London professional Alex Evans flies to the town where his sister died, he and the detective investigating the case realise there is something sinister at play, and that she may have left him a message. Pre-order here.
From the bestselling author of #DirtyLittleSecrets, @SpainJoanne ‘s new book #TheLastToDisappear is due in May 2022
A small town. A frozen lake. 3 missing women. 1 body.Pre-Order now https://t.co/WXJMPrjKMX#120at120 #Booksellers #FictionBooks @HachetteIre pic.twitter.com/lvUHfdE9NT
— OMahonys Booksellers (@OMahonysBooks) February 23, 2022
Sophie White
Sophie White has a diverse range of books under her belt, from mouthwatering recipes, hilarious fiction to must-read essays. From the author of Filter This and Corpsing comes a hilarious new story of a trio of friends who find a novel way to cope with their newfound boredom as they adjust to life in a new luxury housing development. Pre-order here.
Over the moon to reveal the cover for The Snag List by Sophie White, publishing this April! Pre-order The Snag List from @easons and be in with a chance to win an overnight stay for you and a friend at Dublin’s @themarkerhotel! https://t.co/x4Hd5qYoTo pic.twitter.com/dKdsFs8ANZ
— Hachette Ireland (@HachetteIre) February 2, 2022
Michelle Gallen
In the follow up to her brilliant debut Big Girl Small Town, Michelle Gallen writes about a smart-mouthed girl trying to enjoy her last summer at home, as marching season raises tensions among the Catholic and Protestant workforce in the factory where she irons 800 shirts a day. As she realises something is going on, she must make a decision that could affect lives forever. Pre-order Factory Girls here before its release in June.
Brand new proofs, hot off the press!
Introducing Factory Girls by @michellegallen & Where You End and I Begin by @leahmclaren
Which one have you got your eye on?👀 pic.twitter.com/jOzwNOGgct
— John Murray Press (@johnmurrays) February 7, 2022
John Boyne
The author of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas has announced a sequel to his iconic novel, sixteen years after the first. Preorder here.
News: My new novel is a sequel to THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS.
ALL THE BROKEN PLACES is narrated by Bruno’s older sister Gretel who, age 91, looks back on a life scarred by guilt & grief.
It will be published by @DoubledayUK @PenguinRandom on Sept 15th & globally after that. pic.twitter.com/5fckTmtW7P
— John Boyne 📚 (@john_boyne) March 2, 2022