Magill’s Literary Annual, 2022

Each edition of this annual, which began publication in 1954, covers 150 timeless fiction and nonfiction works from the previous year that are likely to appeal to general readers, reflect publishing trends, and boost the careers of its contributors. The cover this time features Nnedi Okorafor, whose books Noor and Remote Control are discussed, as are works by humorist Jenny Lawson, poet Amanda Gorman, novelist Haruki Murakami, memoirist Quiara Alegría Hudes, and many more. The entries include bibliographic information about the book and lists of review sources that have covered it, and a lengthy essay per title on the work’s plot, themes, language, and significance, and the career of the author; each is complemented by color photographs of the book’s creator and of its cover. While this work is an annual, there is nothing perfunctory about its content, with each entry offering a concise yet comprehensive overview of the work in question, one that will be of great use to avid readers, book groups, and collection-development and readers advisory librarians. Patrons who say they’ve read everything will be an especially appreciative audience for the annotated contents list, which offers quick ideas for new reads.