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Jonathan Franzen is to give a reading from his highly anticipated novel “Purity,” on Sept. 24.Credit Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The New Yorker

The New York debut of Jonathan Franzen’s new novel, an 80th birthday party for the chef Jacques Pépin, a joint concert by Mavis Staples and Joan Osborne, a talk by Chelsea Clinton and appearances by a gaggle of comedians, models and actors in a self-reflective mode will be among the highlights of the 92nd Street Y’s 2015-16 season.

Mr. Franzen will kick off the literary season with a reading from his highly anticipated novel “Purity” on Sept. 24, to be followed by appearances by the poet Kay Ryan on Nov. 1, the novelist Sandra Cisneros and the memoirist Azar Nafisi on Oct. 7, the novelists David Mitchell (who will read from his new book, “Slade House”) on Nov. 3 and John Irving (with his new book “Avenue of Mysteries”) on Nov. 5.

The nerd side will be represented by the physicist Lisa Randall, appearing on Oct. 27 with the “science guy” Bill Nye, and the zoologist Richard Dawkins, who will discuss his new memoir, “Brief Candle in the Dark,” on Sept. 30. Among the beautiful people taking the stage are the supermodels Cindy Crawford, who will celebrate the release of her new memoir on Sept. 29, and Iman, who makes an appearance on Sept. 8.

On the funny side of the ledger, comedians scheduled to appear include Jason Sudeikis, who will preview his film “Sleeping With Other People” on Sept. 3; Dick Van Dyke (Oct. 13) and David Spade (Oct. 25), both of whom will discuss new memoirs; and John Leguizamo (Nov. 13), who will discuss his new graphic novel, “Ghetto Klown,” based on his Broadway play and HBO special. Political figures schedule to appear include Ms. Clinton (Sept. 21), the analyst Nate Silver (Sept. 9) and the speechwriter and commentator Peggy Noonan (Nov. 4).

Complementing the Y’s previously announced classical season will be a number of pop and jazz events, including Ms. Staples and Ms. Osborne making a stop on their “Solid Soul” tour on Nov. 4; the former New York Doll David Johansen, who will discuss his long career on Sept. 21; Gloria and Emilio Estefan, appearing on Oct. 19; John Fogerty, who will discuss his new memoir, “Fortunate Son,” on Oct. 6; and the jazz guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, whose 90th birthday will be celebrated on Jan. 27.

Other scheduled guests include the actor George Takei, who will discuss “Allegiance,” his new Broadway show based on his experiences in a World War II internment camp, on Sept. 20; Mr. Pépin, who will appear with Anthony Bourdain on Oct. 6; and the globe-trotting art curator Hans Ulrich Obrist, who will speak on Nov. 8. The full schedule is available at 92y.org.