Fall brings big books and big author events to the Twin Cities

Foer's first novel in 11 years is a family drama set against the backdrop of trouble in the Middle East. Foer will speak at 7 p.m. Sept. 22 at Weyerhaeuser Chapel, Macalester College, St. Paul.

Sept. 6, Farrar, Straus & Giroux

The man who gave us a novel that takes place entirely in the span of time it takes an escalator to ascend ("The Mezzanine") has returned to school. "Substitute" is his nonfiction account of working as a substitute teacher in a school district in Maine.

Sept. 6, Blue Rider Press

The second novel by the author of the bestselling "A Girl Is a Half-Formed Thing" is the story of a relationship between an Irish girl and an older British man in 1990s London.

Sept. 20, Hogarth

It would be hard to surpass Donoghue's last novel, "The Room," but "The Wonder" comes close. A historical novel set in Ireland, it is the story of a young girl who claims through the grace of God to live only on air.

An account of Winston Churchill's little-known adventures during the Boer War, by a prizewinning historian. Millard will be at Club Book at 7 p.m. Oct. 17 at Hennepin County Library-Southdale, 7001 York Av. S., Edina.

Sept. 20, Doubleday

Oliver is best known as a poet (and a beloved one at that), but in these essays she writes about her love of nature and the inspiration she found in the writings of Walt Whitman, Robert Frost and others.

Oct. 11, Penguin Press

Rankine is a poet and essayist whose book "Citizen" was a National Book Critics Circle winner and a National Book Award finalist. Robinson is a Pulitzer Prize winner and the recent winner of the Dayton Literary Peace Prize. The pair will be in conversation at the University of Minnesota's Ted Mann Concert Hall.

In a story that moves from London to West Africa, Smith writes about two friends who want to be dancers — but only one has talent.

Nov. 15, Penguin Press

With climate change threatening the world, eight men and women are selected to live under glass in a biodome known as New Eden.

Oct. 25, Harper

The deathbed confessions of the narrator's grandfather are stories of madness, war and adventure. Chabon will speak at 3 p.m. Dec. 3 at Barnes & Noble, Galleria, Edina.

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