The Library of Michigan released its list of Michigan Notable Books on Tuesday, saying that the list of 20 books “reflects the rich stories and cultures of our state.”
The annual list features 20 books published during the previous calendar year that are about or set in Michigan or written by a Michigan author.
Titles this year include books on the Red Scare of the 1950s, the bankruptcy of Detroit, the life of Aretha Franklin, and the Anishinaabe Sharpshooters of the Civil War. They also include a photo-forward book on Detroit’s architecture and a cookbook by Michigan author Abra Berens focused on building readers’ confidence in preparing and cooking vegetables.
“The Michigan Notable Books selections clearly demonstrate the rich subject matter Michigan offers to writers,” said State Librarian Randy Riley in a statement. “Everyone will find something of interest that speaks to their lives or experiences in our great state.”
The Michigan Notable Books list is a statewide program that originated as part of the 1991 Michigan Week celebration. It is “designed to pay tribute and draw attention to the many people, places, and things that make Michigan life unique and vibrant,” according to a statement from the Library of Michigan.
The selection committee for this year’s list included representatives from the Library of Michigan, the Library of Michigan Foundation, Detroit Public Library, Howard Miller Public Library in Zeeland, Clinton-Macomb District Library, Capital Area District Libraries, Salem-South Lyon District Library, Cooley Law School, Lansing City Pulse newspaper, Michigan’s State Historic Preservation Office, Wayne State University, Michigan Department of Education, Michigan Center for the Book, and Michigan Humanities.
The complete list of titles from the Michigan Notable Books and their synopses can be found here. For more information about the program, visit www.michigan.gov/notablebooks or email [email protected].
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Jordyn Pair is a reporter with Battleground State News and The Michigan Star. Follow her on Twitter at @JordynPair. Email her at [email protected].
Photo “Library of Michigan” by Andrew McFarlane. CC BY 2.0.
