Read with Jenna Book Club List 2022
The Read with Jenna Book Club List 2022 is a complete list of Jenna Bush Hager’s book picks for 2022. I wanted to make this list to see how the book choices change and evolve from year to year. I have been a fan of Jenna’s for a long time, but sometimes I get confused about which book came out when. To keep it straight, I wanted to divide the full list up by year and give reviews for the books that Jackie and I have read.
Jackie and I read a lot of books, especially celebrity book club picks. We want to be able to ensure that we are reading the best books so we can give you the best recommendations. Sometimes picking your next book can be hard, and I hope this list helps. Have a look through this list of Read with Jenna book club picks for 2022. If you are looking for The Complete Read with Jenna Book Club List, I have that list too.
The Best Read with Jenna Book Club Books 2022
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
1.
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
2.
Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
3.
These Impossible Things by Selma El-Wardany
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Read with Jenna Book Club List 2022
The School for Good Mothers
Author: Jessamine Chan
Year: 2022
Genre: Sci-fi
More info: January 2022 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Age Range: 18+
Plot
When Frida has a very bad day, she is sent to a school to become a better mother for her daughter, Harriet. Because of her poor choices, she’s been rounded up by the government and sent to a school where she will practice and learn to become a mother fitting the standards of the institution she is sent to.
Kirsten’s Thoughts
This book, about a mother sent to a reform institute after making a parenting mistake, is billed as satire. The problem was I felt equal parts uneasy and angry.
The “school” she was sent to simulates parenting under extreme conditions in a way that is detrimental to the parents and the kids. I didn’t find it entertaining, but rather disturbing and anger-provoking. The scenarios and treatment of mothers and kids were strange and unreasonable. It was just not a great story for me at this point in the pandemic.
Find this book in: Modern Dystopian Novels / Books About Mothers / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2022
Black Cake
Author: Charmaine Wilkerson
Year: 2022
Genre: Fiction
More info: A Read With Jenna Pick for February 2022
Age Range: 16+
Plot
I absolutely loved this contemporary fiction which is a story about love, family, and acceptance. It captured me from the first page with the story and the writing.
When Eleanor Bennett dies, she leaves a voice recording for her two children Benny and Byron. She wants to tell them things about her life that she could not say when she was alive.
While listening to their mother’s story, Byron and Benny learn about their mother, family, and themselves. They try to piece their relationship back together. The novel looks at everyone’s lives in the present and the past, but in its essence, it is a book about motherhood.
Trigger Warnings
Parental death
Why Kirsten loves it
The story, the writing, and the characters all drew me in from the first page. This is such a well-written pick from the Read with Jenna Book Club.
Why Jackie loves it
This is such a deep look at each sibling’s relationship with their mother and each other. I could not put it down.
Find this book in: Books About Women in Sports / Books About Mothers / BIPOC Female Authors / Books with Color in the Title / Books with Food in the Title / Books About Sports /Best Read With Jenna Books / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2022
Groundskeeping
Author: Lee Cole
Genre: Fiction
Year: 2022
More info: March 2022 Read with Jenna Book Club List
Plot
Owen is an aspiring writer looking for a fresh start, so he begins a job at a groundskeeper at a small college. There, he meets Alma, a successful writer with the life he dreams of. As their relationship grows closer, Alma’s family struggles with Owen’s family ties.
Memphis
Author: Tara M. Stringfellow
Year: 2022
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: April 2022 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Age Range: 15+
Plot
This harrowing story of violence against a family of black women was too compelling to put down. As each generation faces its own abuse, the prevalence of the violence perpetrated against them and their continued resilience is nothing short of remarkable.
These women have faced lynched husbands, sexual assault, and domestic violence and now, in Joan, all they preserved for is made apparent. Will she be able to face her trauma and rise to be the acclaimed artist she is meant to be?
Trigger Warnings
Rape
Kirsten’s Thoughts
**UPDATED** The author came after another book reviewer who said she liked the book but the men were trash, they are the abusers in the story. She then proceeded to drag the reviewer publicly. I can’t condone that kind of bullying behavior so I’ve lowered my rating on this one.
Not a book for the faint of heart, this story will have you thinking about it for days after reading.
Find this book in: Read With Jenna / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2022
Remarkably Bright Creatures
Author: Shelby Van Pelt
Year: 2022
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
More info: May 2022 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Instant New York Times Bestseller
Age Range: 12+
Plot
I haven’t read a novel with as much heart as this one in quite some time. Elderly, recently widowed Tova loves her job cleaning the aquarium in town in the quiet of the night, especially because of her fondness for Marcellus, the octopus. She finds solace in the aquarium as it makes her feel closer to her son, Erik – a marine life lover – who disappeared on a boat when he was 18.
But when she hurts herself and is unable to return to work at full capacity, she grows close with her replacement, Cameron, a young man who newly arrived in town looking for his birth mother.
Meanwhile, Marcellus knows what happened to Erik and he wants to help Tova find the closure she needs. His narration is interspersed with Tova and Cameron’s for a story that is compelling, heartwarming, and utterly unique.
I will be shoving this book into the hands of everyone who asks for a book recommendation because it’s my favorite book of 2022
Why Jackie loves it
This book has more heart than any book I have read in a long time. The unique perspective of a grumpy octopus may seem silly, but is brilliantly done and adds a unique perspective.
Why Kirsten loves it
The themes in this book, the plot, and the characters- especially Marcellus- really tugged at my heartstrings. I loved that Marcellus added some laughter and made me smile. I recently gave this book to my son and he adored it as much as I did.
Adaptation
The Netflix adaptation starring Sally Field finished filming in 2025. The movie, directed by Olivia Newman, is set to premiere in 2026.
Find this book in: Ultimate List of Feel-Good Books / Contemporary Fiction Books / Best Book Club Books / Best Read With Jenna Books / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2022 / Books Becoming Movies / The Best Audiobooks of All Time
These Impossible Things
Author: Salma El-Wardany
Year: 2022
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
More info: June 2022 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Age Range: 15+
Plot
Well, this story is a doozy. It’s a book club book worth discussing with friends, which makes sense because the heart of the story is female friendships. Malak, Kees, and Jenna have been besties since childhood, but this story focuses on their young adulthood and their respective romantic relationships.
Trigger Warnings
Rape
Why Kirsten loves it
There is so much meat in this story to discuss – the expectations put on Muslim women, the difficulty of having (or hiding) a non-muslim partner, the call to leave Europe, and the balance of cultural traditions verse modern life. I can’t recommend this story enough. It’s one of the best books of 2022 for sure.
Find this book in: Read With Jenna 2024 / Best Books of 2022 / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2022 / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2022
The Measure
Author: Nikki Erlick
Year: 2022
Genre: Sci-Fi
More info: July 2022 Read With Jenna Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This is one of the most unique books I’ve ever read. One day everyone over the age of 22 wakes up to find a string on their doorstep. It’s soon clear that the length of one’s string determines the length of their life.
Soon short stringers are being discriminated against around the globe which begs the question – what is the true measure of a valuable life?
Why Kirsten loves it
This would be a fabulous book club book. There is so much to talk about. Don’t let the fact that this is a sci-fi book deter you if it is not your usual genre.
Find this book in: Best Books for Book Clubs / New Dystopian Novels /Best Sci-Fi Books of All Time / Best Read With Jenna Books / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2022
The Many Daughters of Afong Moy
Author: Jamie Ford
Genre: Historical Fiction.
Year: 2022
More info: August 2022 Read with Jenna Book Club List
Plot
Dorothy has always struggled with mental health problems, but when her 5-year-old daughter faces the same struggles, she seeks radical treatment designed to heal the traumas of the past. Through the treatment, readers are taken through the lives of their ancestors.
Solito
Author: Javier Zamora
Year: 2022
Genre: Memoir
More info: September 2022 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Age Range: 16+
Plot
I was blown away by Javier Zamora’s memoir about his solo journey to America. At just 9-years-old, he traversed 3,000 miles, to reunite with his parents in America.
While his grandpa accompanies him for the beginning of his journey, they soon have to part ways and he is left in the care of the adults traveling with him on his journey.
Trigger Warnings
Deportation, Racism
Why Kirsten loves it
This story is seared into my memory. I was so grateful for the mother on the journey who took him in as her own. Frustrated, sorrowful, and ultimately joy were all emotions I felt while reading this book.
Find this book in: Best Books of 2022 / Books about Immigration / Best Read With Jenna Books / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2022 / Immigration Memoirs
The Whalebone Theatre
Author: Joanna Quinn
Year: 2022
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: October 2022 Read with Jenna Book List Pick
Age Range: 15+
Plot
This family saga tells the story of Christobel and her siblings as they grow up from children playing at the Whalebone Theatre to young adults navigating WWII.
Why Kirsten loves it
I found Christobel to be an enchanting protagonist as I watched her develop into a strong woman. From theatre director to a spy on the front lines of war, her journey was one that I eagerly devoured.
Find this book in: Read With Jenna Book List / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2022
The Cloisters
Author: Katy Hays
Year: 2022
Genre: Thriller
More info: November 2022 Read With Jenna Book Club Pick
Age Range: 15+
Plot
Ann Stilwell is desperate to escape her small town and her painful past. She arrives in New York City where she is supposed to spend her summer working as a curatorial associate at the Met. When she arrives, she is informed her supervisor is gone for the summer and she does not have a job.
Luckily, she is able to get an assignment with The Cloisters, a gothic museum, that is known for its medieval art collection. Ann suddenly finds herself entwined with a small group of students with secrets of their won. When she finds a 15th-century deck of tarot cards, she is reluctant to share her findings and this starts a dangerous game that Ann is not prepared for.
Why Jackie likes it
This is one of the dark academia books about secret societies you don’t want to miss. This is a creepy, gothic book.
Find this book in: Secret Society Books / Read With Jenna 2024 / Dark Academia Books / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2022
The Secret History
Author: Donna Tartt
Year: 1992
Genre: Literary Fiction
More info: December 2022 Read with Jenna Book Pick
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Richard is one of a select group of six students who have been hand-picked to work under the guidance of a classics teacher named Julian Morrow. Richard is narrating the story and he begins by telling about the death of one of the students named Bunny.
As the story progresses, it is clear that this secret society of students rides the line of morality. The strained friendships and sexual tensions continue to push the edge until Bunny is killed.
Trigger Warnings
Murder, Alcoholism, Suicide
Why Jackie likes it
This is one of the books about secret societies that was deeply disturbing and difficult to read. It certainly earns its place on our list of dark academia books and books about cults! And as with most books set in college, this one is a perfect book for fall.
Find this book in: Books set in College / Books about Cults / Books about Secret Societies / Best Fall Books / Dark Academia Books / Books Set in the 80s / Books With Secret in the Title / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2022
Expert Tip
Jenna Bush Hager has chosen so many great books since she started the book club in 2017, it can be hard to choose your next book. Here are some helpful hints:
- Are you a “Kirsten” or a “Jackie”? Have a look at our reviews of the books to help you choose
- This list includes books that may not be on other lists because we did not love all the books. Have a look at the thoughts section.
- If the description says “why I love it”, it’s a 4 or 5-star book.
- If it says “why I like it”, it’s a 3-star book.
- If it says “thoughts”, it was not a winner for Jackie or me.
- If you love a certain genre, pick a book from that genre as your next read.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best book from the 2022 Read with Jenna Book Club List?
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt is the best book from the Read with Jenna Book Club list 2022. This book is a fiction that is perfect for book clubs to read. Not only does it have wonderful themes, but Marcellus the octopus narrates chapters of the book!
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Epilogue
What is your favorite book from the Read with Jenna Book Club of 2022?
