Each month, Biographile sorts through all the upcoming releases in biography and memoir, across publishers, to provide a curated reading list of the month's most exciting new titles. Below are our picks for October 2013.

Book of Ages: The Life and Opinions of Jane Franklin by Jill Lepore

Jane Franklin was an artful political commentator, gifted writer, and avid reader. She was also Benjamin Franklin's youngest sister and a mother of twelve, so it's possible her talents were eclipsed a touch by her situation. Jill Lepore offers a stunning portrait of a woman who existed in history's shadows, as well as an alternate vantage point from which to view one of our Founding Fathers. (10.1.13)

Norman Mailer: A Double Life by J. Michael Lennon

Norman Mailer was a literary giant and one of the most celebrated minds of his time. He was an American novelist, journalist, biographer, playwright, filmmaker, and political activist. With the help of Mailer's late widow, his ex-wives, children, and sister, as well as unpublished correspondences and interviews, Lennon's biographical effort should be as ambitious and complex as the man himself. (10.15.13)

Provence, 1970 by Luke Barr

Luke Barr is the great-nephew of culinary icon M.F.K. Fisher. Provence, 1970 is his compilation of his great-aunt's letters and journal entries, chronicling a summer she spent in the South of France with the likes of Julia Child, James Beard, Richard Olney, Simone Beck, and Judith Jones. Their conversations shaped the future of food and taste. (10.22.13)

Last Night at the Viper Room: River Phoenix and the Hollywood He Left Behind by Gavin Edwards

Gavin Edwards recounts the storied life and tragic death of budding superstar River Phoenix, who died of a drug overdose in front of West Hollywood’s Viper Room at the age of twenty-three. Edwards traces the spectacular rise and just as sudden fall of the young star, as well as his lasting intrigue and legacy. (10.22.13)

Tune In: The Beatles: All These Years by Mark Lewisohn

There's always more to learn about The Beatles. Mark Lewisohn, the world's leading Beatles historian, offers the first of his highly-anticipated biographical trilogy this month. The narrative, which took a decade to fully compose, recounts the complete story of the most influential, groundbreaking act of -- at the very least -- the rock era, if not all time. (10.29.13)

What are you most looking forward to reading this month? Let us know in the comment section below.