With big novels from Audrey Niffenegger, Thomas Pynchon, Richard Russo, A. S. Byatt, and many, many more big-name writers, the fall 2009 release schedule reads like a contemporary literature syllabus from 2019.

In a short essay, the NY Observer ponders the pros and cons of building this magical list in the middle of a deep, dark recession. If you want to find out more about upcoming titles, GalleyCat interviewed a number of writers about their favorite upcoming books, including a chat with Salman Rushdie.

Here's a choice quote from Sterling Lord Literistic agent Ira Silverberg, from the article: "All these books are coming out in three months, and there's overlap in their core audiences. Also, these are hardcover books-- at 25 to 30 dollars! That's tough."