Special Report
The Best Books of 2022
By year's end, after all the new books hit shelves, Smithsonian magazine's editors and writers have clear favorites. Whether you are looking for some gift ideas or a great read to enjoy on the plane or cozied up over the holidays, consider our carefully curated lists.
The Ten Best History Books of 2022
Our favorite titles of the year resurrect forgotten histories and illuminate how the nation ended up where it is today
The Ten Best Science Books of 2022
From a detective story on the origins of Covid-19 to a narrative that imagines a fateful day for dinosaurs, these works affected us the most this year
The Ten Best Books About Food of 2022
From cookbooks to memoirs to food history, these ten titles will fill you up
The Ten Best Photography Books of 2022
Our favorite titles this year invite viewers to worlds outside their own
Smithsonian Scholars Pick Their Favorite Books of 2022
This wide-ranging list offers context for our rapidly changing world
The Ten Best Books About Travel of 2022
After two years of limited travel opportunities, we’re ready to explore the world once more
The Ten Best Children's Books of 2022
This year’s top titles include a fairy-tale remake, a clever counting book and a survey of architectural wonders the world over