Jonathan Franzen’s big novel isn’t the only item in this fall’s nest of books. A huge favorite for young adults, Suzanne Collins’ “Mockingjay,” has just been released, and a flock of politics-related books will come out closer to November.

Here’s a bird’s-eye view of 20-plus other titles for fall. Descriptions are culled from publishers, and publication schedules are subject to change.

FICTION

“The Reversal,” by Michael Connelly (Little, Brown; October). A child killer is granted a retrial, requiring the best efforts of attorney Mickey Haller and LAPD Det. Harry Bosch in this latest by the talented Connelly, who never seems to miss a beat.

“Room,” by Emma Donoghue (Little, Brown; September). The Irish-born Donoghue tells her story from the point of view of a 5-year-old boy who lives with his mother in a small room, trapped there by a man named Old Nick. His mother tries to devise an escape plan in this psychological thriller.

“Fall of Giants,” by Ken Follett (Dutton, September). In his new historical epic, Part 1 of “The Century Trilogy,” Follett moves forward in time from the Middle Ages (“World Without End”) all the way to the 20th century, following five families through events such as World War I, women’s suffrage and the Russian revolution.

“The Widower’s Tale,” by Julia Glass (Pantheon, September). A cantankerous retired librarian reluctantly agrees to allow a preschool to move into his spacious New England barn. This family saga reflects some modern social issues.

“The Confession,” by John Grisham (Doubleday, October). America’s favorite legal suspense author has been active in real-life wrongful-conviction issues. In his new novel, the wrong guy is on death row for murder, and the guilty man, who is dying of a brain tumor, considers whether to tell authorities the truth.

“Great House,” by Nicole Krauss (Norton, October). An unusual desk connects several characters’ stories: an antiques dealer in Jerusulem, an elderly man tending his dying wife, a reclusive American writer and a “disappeared” Chilean poet. Publishers Weekly calls it “a formidable and haunting mosaic of loss and profound sorrow.” The author’s last book was 2005’s “The History of Love.”

“Nemesis,” by Philip Roth (Houghton Mifflin, October). Kept out of World War II by his weak eyes, a playground worker helps care for children in 1944 Newark during a terrible polio epidemic.

“A Curable Romantic,” by Joseph Skibell (Algonquin, September). A young doctor encounters Sigmund Freud in this intellectual comedy about Eastern Europe, obsession and psychoanalysis.

NONFICTION

“The Gun,” by C.J. Chivers (Simon & Schuster, October). A history of the rise of the AK-47, now the principal weapon for guerrillas, terrorists and child soldiers. Rather than nuclear weapons, Chivers says, automatic weapons became the deadliest arsenal of the Cold War: “Unlike the nuclear arsenals an automatic rifle was a weapon that could actually be used.”

“Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption,” by Laura Hillenbrand (Random House, November). The author of the popular “Seabiscuit” tells the story of a World War II airman who crashed into the Pacific, thousands of miles from shore.

“Ratification: The People Debate the Constitution, 1787-1788,” by Pauline Maier (Simon & Schuster, October). A leading historian of the revolutionary era tells how the average citizen debated the Constitution in bars and parlors; in other words, before the ink was even dry, there was disagreement over what the Constitution meant.

“American Grace: How Religion Is Reshaping Our Civic and Political Lives,” by Robert D. Putnam and David E. Campbell (Simon & Schuster, October). Since the 1990s, young people have been turned off by the link between faith and conservative politics, say the authors, who examine the many facets of today’s faithful in “American Grace.” At the same time, they say, religious Americans tend to be better neighbors than secular ones. The authors cull from their own Faith Matters survey.

“Wicked River: The Mississippi When It Last Ran Wild,” by Lee Sandlin (Pantheon, October). One of the reasons the Mississippi was a much wilder place in the 19th century was that almost everyone working on it was drunk. This history takes a feisty look at the history, culture and geography of America’s great river. The author will be in St. Louis on Nov. 4.

“Untitled,” by Bob Woodward (Simon & Schuster, September). No information available yet on Woodward’s upcoming book about President Barack Obama’s administration.

BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR

“Decision Points,” by George W. Bush (Crown, November). Former president’s memoir about the critical decisions he made during his two terms in the White House.

“First Family: Abigail and John Adams,” by Joseph J. Ellis (Knopf, October). The nation’s second president and his future wife met when she was 15 and he was 24. Passionate letter writers, their correspondence would total more than a thousand letters and, as Adams would tell her: “I can do nothing without you.” It’s a portrait of the political and personal partnership.

“Life,” by Keith Richards (Little, Brown; October). In an era of blunt tell-alls, this long-awaited memoir by the Rolling Stones guitarist should still pack a wallop.

“Extraordinary, Ordinary People,” by Condoleezza Rice (Crown, October). The former secretary of state releases her memoir of growing up amid racism in Alabama, the daughter of a minister and a teacher.

HUMOR

“The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Presents Earth,” (Grand Central, September). “Unburdened by objectivity,” the “Daily Show” host follows up the popular “America” with explanations about where humans came from and what the heck they are doing on the planet.

“Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk,” by David Sedaris (Little, Brown, September). Animal-centric stories tell tales unknown to Aesop: a cynical kitty is forced to go to AA meetings; prejudiced family members keep lovers separate.

 

Copy the Story Link