5 books to remember in 2022

<p>As 2022 nears its end, we wanted to know what the year was like for books.</p><p>5 Things Sunday host James Brown sat down with USA TODAY book editor Barbara VanDenburgh to talk about the year and what books were the most interesting, the best sellers and the ones that left you wanting more.</p><p>According to VanDenbugh, 2022 was full of "smart" books. She brought a list of five she thinks should be remembered in 2022.</p><p>For more on the best books of 2022:</p><p><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2022/12/07/best-books-2022-celeste-ng-george-saunders-jennifer-weiner/10750213002/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Best of 2022: See which books USA TODAY critics gave perfect reviews this year</a></p><p><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2022/12/03/cormac-mccarthy-stella-maris-jane-smiley-new-books/10813880002/?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cormac McCarthy's brilliant 'Stella Maris,' new Jane Smiley: 5 must-read books this week</a></p><p><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2022/11/10/usa-today-book-club-november-celeste-ng-our-missing-hearts/8318155001/?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">USA TODAY Book Club: Celeste Ng's 'Our Missing Hearts' is a book that demands discussion</a></p><p>Follow<a href="https://twitter.com/jamesbrowntv" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> James Brown</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/BabsVan" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Barbara VanDenburgh</a> on Twitter.</p><p>If you have a comment about the show or a question or topic you'd like us to discuss, send James Brown an email at jabrown@usatoday.com or podcasts@usatoday.com. You can also leave him a voicemail at 585-484-0339. We might have you on the show.</p><p>Episode Transcript<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/11/01/kyle-rittenhouse-trial-begins-mcrib-back-5-things-podcast/6230747001/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_bl