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Michael Chabon 

We've been wondering if the same fans who devoured the previous works of author Michael Chabon (his superheroic magnum opus The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, the alternate-history detective story The Yiddish Policemen's Union) are having the same enthusiasm for his latest book, Telegraph Avenue. It's certain to attract an audience of nerds, but nerds who most likely have stacks of vinyl records in their abode instead of comic books and pulp paperbacks. Vinyl surrounds the book's main protagonists, record-store proprietors Archy Stallings and Nat Jaffe. Bonded by a love of soul-jazz LPs, they get worried that their Oakland record store/ neighborhood hangout could become a memory if a megastore gets built nearby. As with Chabon's previous tomes, Telegraph Avenue is dense, sprawling, multilayered and filled with enough colorful characters (a pre-POTUS Barack Obama makes an appearance) and cultural references to appease any true geek. Even if you're not planning on getting the book, it'll be worth it to attend Chabon's 7:30 p.m. signing just to see the comic-book nerds mingle with the vinyl-buying hipsters. —Craig D. Lindsey