Spring’s most anticipated book releases offer a wide range of compelling reads. This April, discover new fiction, insightful nonfiction, and long-awaited finales from celebrated authors. Many of these authors will be appearing live at the LA Times Festival of Books on April 18-19.

Fiction Highlights

Transcription: A Novel By Ben Lerner

Ben Lerner’s new novel presents a writer’s nightmare: a crucial interview compromised by a malfunctioning recording device. The narrator relies on memory, which is later questioned, leading to a thought-provoking exploration of truth, time, and influence. FSG, 144 pp., $25

American Fantasy: A Novel By Emma Straub

Emma Straub’s seventh novel centers around a cruise ship filled with fans of a 1990s boy band. When Annie steps in for her sister on the trip, she rediscovers the power of nostalgia and forms an unexpected connection. Riverhead Books, 304 pp., $30

Midnight, at the War: A Novel By Devi S. Laskar

Rita Das, a journalist reporting from war zones, finds her personal traumas colliding with her professional life in Devi S. Laskar’s novel. Set shortly after 9/11, the story explores the challenges of self-healing amidst global conflict. Mariner Books, 240 pp., $30

See You on the Other Side: A Novel By Jay McInerney

Jay McInerney concludes his acclaimed tetralogy, begun with “Bright Lights, Big City,” with this new volume. The story follows Russell and Corrinne Calloway as they navigate parties and relationships during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Catch McInerney in person with novelist Adam Ross in conversation with critic David Ulin on April 18 at the L.A. Times Festival of Books from 12 to 1 p.m. at USC. Knopf, 304 pp., $30

Questions 27 & 28: A Novel By Karen Tei Yamashita

Karen Tei Yamashita employs a polyphonic narrative in her new novel about Japanese Americans during World War II. The book utilizes oral histories and other voices to respond to the U.S. government’s ‘loyalty questionnaire’ with irony and depth. The author will appear alongside Naomi Hirahara at the Festival of Books on Saturday, April 18, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Graywolf Press, 464 pp., $30

Nonfiction Explorations

The Edge of Space-Time: Particles, Poetry, and the Cosmic Dream Boogie By Chanda Prescod-Weinstein

Physicist Chanda Prescod-Weinstein delves into the mysteries of the universe, advocating for an anti-colonial approach to unraveling them. The book explores complex scientific concepts with a focus on human needs over profits. See Prescod-Weinstein live on the “Cosmic Wonder” panel at the Festival of Books on Saturday, April 18, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Pantheon, 368 pp., $32

The Book That Taught the World to Orgasm and Then Disappeared: Shere Hite and the Hite Report By Rosa Campbell

Rosa Campbell resurrects the story of Shere Hite’s groundbreaking 1976 “The Hite Report” on human sexuality, which was attacked and suppressed after selling 50 million copies. The book highlights the importance of Hite’s research on female pleasure in the face of contemporary misogyny. Melville House, 216 pp., $32

The Lost Cities of El Norte: Coronado’s Quest, the Unconquered West, and the Birth of American Indian Resistance By Peter Stark

Peter Stark challenges the traditional narrative surrounding Spanish conquistadors, arguing that Coronado’s efforts to conquer the Plains tribes were ultimately unsuccessful. The book explores the resistance of Indigenous peoples against Spanish colonization. Mariner Books, 432 pp., $35

The Rolling Stones: The Biography By Bob Spitz

Bob Spitz presents a comprehensive biography of the Rolling Stones, drawing on extensive archival material. The book chronicles the band’s journey from their blues-inspired beginnings to their enduring status as rock-and-roll icons. Penguin Press, 704 pp., $38

The Secret War Against Hate: American Resistance to Antisemitism and White Supremacy By Steven J. Ross

Steven J. Ross examines the efforts of organizations like the Anti-Defamation League to combat post-World War II prejudice and violence. The book reveals the history of white supremacist figures and their attempts to spread hatred. Ross will appear at the L.A. Times Festival of Books to discuss 'Democracy, Fascism, and America Today” on Sunday, April 19 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Bloomsbury, 416 pp., $33