Five Must-Read Books Arriving This Fall Across Fiction, Biography and Memoir

Autumn brings a robust selection of literary offerings for readers seeking diverse narratives across multiple genres. The upcoming season features acclaimed authors releasing works in fiction, biography, memoir and poetry that are expected to generate significant critical attention and discussion.

“The Disappearers” by Marlon James represents a return to the author’s exploration of Jamaican settings following his acclaimed fantasy series “Dark Star.” The novel, longlisted for the Booker Prize, draws inspiration from the 1988 assault on eight gay men preparing for a theatrical production and combines dark humor with cultural commentary. James’ work reflects on violence and human vulnerability through a narrative that weaves together popular culture and deeply personal reflection. The book releases September 1.

Kai Bird and Susan Goldmark’s “American Scoundrel” examines the political legacy of Roy Cohn, tracing his influence from his role as aide to Senator Joseph McCarthy through his later mentorship of Donald Trump. Bird, known for co-authoring the Oppenheimer biography that inspired Christopher Nolan’s Academy Award-winning film, conducted extensive research including government records and interviews. The project unexpectedly included direct input from Trump himself, who provided occasional phone guidance despite declining in-person meetings. Publication is scheduled for September 1.

Emma Cline’s “Switzy,” longlisted for the Booker Prize, presents a fragmented narrative of an aging businessman confronting mortality as he travels toward an assisted dying facility in Zurich. Cline employs spare, detached prose to explore themes of memory and a lifetime spent avoiding emotional depth. The novel arrives September 8.

Yiyun Li’s “Music Against the Night” marks her sixth novel and follows last year’s Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir about her sons’ deaths. The narrative centers on an 18th-century piano virtuoso and an orphaned musician whose marriage proves catastrophic, serving as meditation on loss and mortality. Li’s prose grapples with parental grief and existential despair through Shakespearean-tinged reflection. The book releases October 13.

Former President Joe Biden’s “Promise Me, America” arrives as a presidential memoir with potential to shape his historical legacy. The work is expected to emphasize Biden’s 2020 victory over Trump, passage of green energy legislation and appointment of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. Public interest will likely focus on questions regarding Biden’s health during his presidency, his debate performance decline and the circumstances surrounding his withdrawal from the 2024 race. The memoir publishes November 17.