Books by Laura Claridge, Justin Tussing, Max Frisch

THE LADY WITH THE BORZOI: Blanche Knopf, Literary Tastemaker Extraordinaire, by Laura Claridge. Back in the 20th century, when the publishing business was truly glamorous, Blanche Knopf was called “the soul of the firm” founded by her husband, Alfred A. Knopf. Claridge presents a portrait of the woman who acquired such diverse authors as Simone de Beauvoir, Dashiell Hammett and Elizabeth Bowen. (FSG, $30)

VEXATION LULLABY, by Justin Tussing. The second novel from the author of “The Best People in the World” follows Jimmy Cross, a charismatic aging rock star on tour; the homebodyish doctor who becomes Cross’ unlikely personal physician; and an obsessed fan who follows Cross on the road and has not missed a performance in 20 years. Tussing riffs on rock music, fandom, freedom and domesticity. (Catapult, $16.95 paper)

MONTAUK, by Max Frisch. This brief, understated novel by the Swiss author Frisch (1911-1991) was originally published in 1975 and is now translated from the German by Geoffrey Skelton. The title comes from the East End setting for a weekend affair between the older narrator and a young publicist named Lynn — an affair that leads the narrator to reflect on his life and past loves. (Tin House, $15.95 paper)