We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of Jonathan Lethem’s books, arranged by their publication dates. With this guide, you can effortlessly trace the evolution of his literary career and discover your next favorite read.
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
| Gun, With Occasional Music | (1994) |
| Amnesia Moon | (1995) |
| As She Climbed Across the Table | (1997) |
| Girl in Landscape | (1998) |
| Motherless Brooklyn | (1999) |
| Ninety Percent of Everything | (2001) |
| This Shape We’re In | (2001) |
| The Fortress of Solitude | (2003) |
| You Don’t Love Me Yet | (2007) |
| Chronic City | (2009) |
| Dissident Gardens | (2013) |
| A Gambler’s Anatomy / The Blot | (2016) |
| The Feral Detective | (2018) |
| The Arrest | (2020) |
| Brooklyn Crime Novel | (2023) |
Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas
| The Insipid Profession of Jonathan Hornebom | (1995) |
| Procedure in Plain Air | (2009) |
| The Vision | (2014) |
| The Blot: A Supplement | (2017) |
Publication Order of Short Story Collections
| Lucky Alan: And Other Stories | (2014) |
Publication Order of Graphic Novels
| Omega | (2008) |
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
| Da Capo Best Music Writing 2002 | (2002) |
| The Disappointment Artist | (2005) |
| They Live | (2010) |
| Conversations with Jonathan Lethem | (2011) |
| The Ecstasy of Influence | (2011) |
| Talking Heads’ Fear of Music | (2011) |
| More Alive and Less Lonely: On Books and Writers | (2017) |
| The Collapsing Frontier | (2024) |
Publication Order of Beastie Boys Books
| Beastie Boys Book | (2018) |
Publication Order of Anthologies
| The Wall of the Sky, the Wall of the Eye: Stories | (1996) |
| Starlight 2 | (1998) |
| Nebula Awards 32: SFWA’s Choices for the Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year | (1998) |
| The Vintage Book of Amnesia | (2000) |
| A Galaxy Not So Far Away: Writers And Artists On Twenty Five Years Of ” Star Wars “ | (2002) |
| On the Rocks: The KGB Bar Fiction Anthology | (2002) |
| 110 Stories | (2004) |
| Writers on Writers | (2005) |
| The Insomniac Reader | (2005) |
| Brooklyn Noir 2: The Classics | (2005) |
| The Best American Essays 2005 | (2005) |
| Feeling Very Strange | (2006) |
| Rewired | (2007) |
| The Mammoth Book of Extreme Fantasy | (2008) |
| The Best American Essays 2008 | (2008) |
| The Best of Cemetery Dance II | (2008) |
| Half-Minute Horrors | (2009) |
| The Secret History of Science Fiction | (2009) |
| Pen America: A Journal for Writers and Readers: 13 Lovers | (2009) |
| Crucified Dreams | (2011) |
| Super Stories of Heroes and Villains | (2013) |
| McSweeney’s #44 | (2013) |
| The Best American Mystery Stories 2019 | (2019) |
| Fight of the Century | (2020) |
| The Writer’s Library | (2020) |
More about Jonathan Lethem – Author Bio
Website: http://www.jonathanlethem.com
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Influences: Philip K. Dick, Kafka, Italo Calvino, John Barth, Raymond Chandler, Thomas Berger, Don DeLillo, Charles Dickens, Christina Stead, Thomas Pynchon, Philip Roth
Jonathan Lethem, an American novelist, essayist, and short story writer, was born on February 19, 1964, in Brooklyn, New York. Known for his eclectic and genre-bending narratives, Lethem’s work often blurs the lines between science fiction, noir, and literary fiction, reflecting his diverse literary influences and keen observations of urban life.
Growing up in a bohemian family, with parents who were both artists, Lethem was immersed in a world of artistic and cultural experimentation from a young age. This early exposure to diverse artistic expressions profoundly shaped his creative sensibilities. His Brooklyn upbringing, particularly in the Gowanus neighborhood, would later become a vivid backdrop in many of his novels, most notably in “Motherless Brooklyn” and “The Fortress of Solitude.”
Lethem’s foray into writing began in his teens, though his path to becoming a published author was marked by a period of exploration and self-discovery. After dropping out of high school, he traveled across the country, working various odd jobs, and eventually landed at Bennington College in Vermont, where he studied with luminary writers and honed his craft.
Lethem’s first novel, “Gun, with Occasional Music,” was published in 1994, introducing readers to his unique blend of science fiction and hard-boiled detective fiction. This novel, along with subsequent works such as “Amnesia Moon” and “Girl in Landscape,” established Lethem as a significant voice in contemporary fiction, unafraid to experiment with form and genre.
It was “Motherless Brooklyn,” a detective novel featuring a protagonist with Tourette’s syndrome, that brought Lethem widespread acclaim, winning the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction in 1999. The novel exemplified Lethem’s skill at weaving complex characters and themes with elements of noir and a deep sense of place.
Throughout his career, Lethem has continued to push literary boundaries. His works are characterized by their inventive language, quirky yet profound characters, and an underlying concern with issues of identity, belonging, and the complexities of urban life. His exploration of themes like gentrification, cultural appropriation, and the nature of art and creativity resonates with a wide range of readers.
Beyond fiction, Lethem is also a prolific essayist and critic, with his essays and reviews appearing in numerous publications. His non-fiction works often delve into his personal experiences, cultural criticism, and his views on literature and the creative process.
Jonathan Lethem’s contribution to literature goes beyond his genre-defying narratives; he challenges and delights readers, inviting them to reconsider the boundaries between the extraordinary and the everyday. His works not only capture the essence of contemporary urban life but also celebrate the sheer joy and mystery of storytelling.