Jonathan franzen list of books

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You can sort the list by clicking on the Sort button. Ready to dive into his story? They also contain self portraits of him as an awkward son, a struggling writer, a grieving friend, and a traveler trying to see both birds and people clearly.

He is also an obsessive birdwatcher. After graduating, he honed his craft in New York, publishing his debut novel, The Twenty-Seventh City, in 1988—a bold thriller that hinted at his potential.

Franzen’s early years weren’t all smooth sailing.

Let’s explore the man behind the books!

The Making of Jonathan Franzen

Jonathan Franzen was born in Western Springs, Illinois, and grew up in Webster Groves, Missouri, a suburb that later inspired settings in his work. Salinger, author of: The Catcher in the Rye.

  • Alice Sebold, author of: The Lovely Bones.
  • Percival Everett, author of: James.
  • Elizabeth Gilbert, author of: Eat, Pray, Love.

    • Jonathan Franzen: F.A.Q

    When was Jonathan Franzen Born?

    During these years he drafted two long, ambitious books that found critical attention faster than they found readers. But these struggles shaped his resilient voice, blending intellectual rigor with emotional depth.

    Jonathan Franzen’s Unforgettable Stories

    Franzen’s breakthrough came with The Corrections (2001), a sprawling family saga that nabbed the National Book Award.

    jonathan franzen list of books

    5 Standalone Novels, 5 Non-Fiction Books, 1 book in the A Key to All Mythologies Series.

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    Jonathan Franzen Books in Order

    Picture a Midwestern storyteller who spun family dramas into literary gold—meet Jonathan Franzen!

    The most recently released novel was Purity, which was released in 2015.There are no upcoming standalone novels by Jonathan at this time.

    Jonathan Franzen has also written 5 Non-Fiction Books, including How to Be Alone and The Discomfort Zone.

    Jonathan Franzen: Awards & Accolades

    Jonathan Franzen won the Whiting Foundation Awards, Whiting Award for Fiction, in 1988.

    Franzen's books have also won multiple awards, The Corrections won the National Book Awards, Best Fiction, in 2001.

    He’s influenced a generation of writers to blend domestic drama with social critique.

    Beyond literature, Franzen’s vocal opinions on topics like social media and climate change keep him relevant. Freedom was nominated for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Best Fiction, in 2010. Russ Hildebrandt, the ...

  • Purity

    Young Pip Tyler doesn't know who she is.

    Its blend of humor and heartbreak struck a chord, cementing Franzen’s reputation.

    Freedom (2010) took things further, exploring love, politics, and environmentalism through the Berglunds, a seemingly perfect couple with hidden cracks. Crossroads was nominated for the Goodreads Awards, Best Historical Fiction, in 2021.

    Jonathan Franzen: Lists & Other Mentions

    • The Corrections was the Oprah's Book Club September 2001 Pick.
    • Freedom was the Oprah's Book Club September 2010 Pick.
    • The Corrections has made several lists including:
      1. New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2001.
      2. The Sunday Times: 100 21st-Century Novels to Love Selection in 2019.
      3. The Guardian: 100 Best Books of the 21st Century Section in 2019.
      4. New York Times: 100 Best Books of the 21st Century Selection in 2024.
      5. Amazon US: 100 Books to Read in a Lifetime Selection in 2014.
      6. Time Magazine: All-Time 100 Novels Selection in 2005.
      7. People Magazine: Best Books From the 2000s Selection in 2024.
      8. Marie Claire Magazine: Best Books To Read Before You Die Selection in 2017.
      9. Publishers Weekly: Bestselling Novel in the United States in 2001.
      10. Book Riot: From Zero to Well-Read in 100 Books Selection in 2013.
      11. Los Angeles Times: The 30 Best Fiction Books of the Last 30 Years Selection in 2025.
      12. The Millions: The Best Fiction of the Millennium Selection in 2009.
      13. Entertainment Weekly: The New Classics - 100 Best Reads from 1983 to 2008 Selection in 2008.
      14. Entertainment Weekly: Top 100 Novels Selection in 2013.
    • Freedom has made several lists including:
      1. New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2010.
      2. Wall Street Journal: #1 Hardcover Fiction Best Seller in 2010.
      3. Barnes & Noble: #1 Hardcover Fiction Best Seller in 2010.
      4. Publishers Weekly: Bestselling Novel in the United States in 2010.
      5. BBC: Radio Oxford 100 Books You Must Read Before You Die Selection in 2020.
      6. President Obama: Summer Reading List Selection in 2010.
    • Crossroads was a Time Magazine: 100 Must-Read Books Selection in 2021 and a New York Times: 100 Notable Books Selection in 2021.

    The Corrections was listed at #19 on the Los Angeles Times "Best Fiction Books of the Last 30 Years" list, which was published in April 2025.

    Related Authors

    Fans of Jonathan Franzen also enjoy these authors:

    1. Richard Powers, author of: The Overstory.
    2. Elif Shafak, author of: The Island of Missing Trees.
    3. Annie Proulx, author of: The Shipping News.
    4. Celeste Ng, author of: Little Fires Everywhere.
    5. Elizabeth Strout, author of the Olive Kitteridge Series.
    6. Anne Tyler, author of: A Spool of Blue Thread.
    7. J.D.

      Freedom won the British Book Awards, International Author of the Year, in 2010.

      Jonathan Franzen books have also been nominated for multiple awards, The Corrections was nominated for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Best Fiction, in 2001. Patty was the ideal sort of neighbor, who could tell you where to recycle your batteries and ho...

  • The Corrections

    After almost fifty years as a wife and mother, Enid Lambert is ready to have some fun.

    Click to get new book alerts by Jonathan Franzen sent straight to your email.

    Jonathan Franzen

    Jonathan Franzen (Jonathan Earl Franzen) was born on August 17th, 1959 and is currently 66 years old. The novel follows the Lambert family through illness, ambition, and one last Christmas together, and it won the National Book Award for fiction along with other major honors.

    Those years were marked by doubt and stubbornness, and he has written about how long it took him to feel he had earned the title of novelist.

    His debut, The Twenty-Seventh City (1988), is a politically charged portrait of St. Louis in the mid 1980s, where an outsider police chief and a quiet Midwestern family get caught in the same web of power.

    The through line is simple: he keeps trying to see people clearly, on the page and in life, in all their stubbornness and vulnerability.

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    Newest Release

    • Bibliography:

      9 Books (1 Series)

    • First Book:

      September 1988

    • Latest Book:

      October 2025

    • Author Rating:
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    Full Series List in Order

    A Key to All Mythologies

    1 - Crossroads (Oct-2021)

    Books in Order: 9 titles

    The book list is sorted in publication date order - newest first.

    Critics praised its ambition, calling it a portrait of American life. To see a simple list or a cover view list, click on the icons below.

    • Crossroads

      A Key to All Mythologies - 1

      Jonathan Franzen’s gift for wedding depth and vividness of character with breadth of social vision has never been more dazzlingly evident than in Crossroads.It’s December 23, 1971, and heavy weather is forecast for Chicago.