2013 Michigan Notable Books Announced

The Library of Michigan has announced the list of the 2013 Michigan Notable Books - 20 books highlighting Michigan people, places and events. The list highlights exceptional "Michigan books" published in 2012 that bring attention to Michigan authors and topics. Books that showcase the range of experiences of Michigan's citizens and life in the Great Lakes by well-established and first-time authors.

The 2013 Michigan Notable Books in alphabetical order:

American Poet: A Novel by Jeff Vande Zande
Saginaw, Michigan is the setting for this short novel, a coming of age story of a young poet returning home after graduating from college.

The Amphibians and Reptiles of Michigan by J. Alan Holman
All of Michigan's 54 species of amphibians and reptiles are covered in this unique and illustrated single volume.

Balthazar Korab Architect of Photography John Comazzi
Highlighted are images of Michigan’s distinguished photographer Balthazar Korab's work, portfolio of architecture photography, and unseen photographs from archives.

Bear Has a Story to Tell by Phillip C. Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead
Before settling down to hibernate for the winter, Bear wants to share a story with his friends, but frog, mole, duck and mouse are all too busy preparing for winter to listen.

The Boy Governor: Stevens T. Mason and the Birth of Michigan Politics by Don Faber
The Boy Governor tells the complete story of Michigan's first governor and dominant political figure in the state's early development.

Canada by Richard Ford
When 15-year-old Dell Parsons' parents rob a bank, his sense of a normal life is forever altered. The story is equal parts coming-of-age story and a touching story about the discovery of identity.

Death Dance of a Butterfly by Melba Joyce Boyd
Boyd's latest poetry offering is an insightful examination of her relationships with family, friends, and colleagues.

Detroit City Is the Place to Be by Mark Binelli
Binelli successfully captures the pride, grit and hope Detroiters demonstrate as they fight to revitalize one of America's great cities.

Detroit's Historic Places of Worship compiled and edited by Marla O. Collum, Barbara E. Krueger and Dorothy Kostuch, photographs by Dirk Bakker with a forward by John Gallagher
Nearly 20 years in the making are 37 thoroughly documented architecturally and historically significant places of worship that represent eight denominations and nearly 150 years of history.

Dust to Dust: A Memoir by Benjamin Busch
An extraordinary memoir about ordinary things: life and death, peace and war, the adventures of childhood and the revelations of adulthood.

Fishtown: Leland Michigan's Historic Fishery by Laurie Sommers
Sommers tells the story of Fishtown’s history, past and present, through the remembrances of the commercial fishermen and ferry captains since 1900.

Imperfect by Jim Abbott/Tim Brown
Born without a right hand, Jim Abbott dreamed of someday being a great athlete. Raised in Flint, Michigan, Abbott would become an ace pitcher in the major leagues. Abbott reveals the challenges he faced in becoming an elite pitcher, the insecurities of being different, and his emotional encounters with physically-challenged children from around the country.

Ink Trails by Jack Dempsey and Dave Dempsey
This entertaining and well-researched book tells about the first of its kind, the secrets, legends, and myths surrounding some of Michigan's literary luminaries are explored.

Kirtland's Warbler by William Rapai
William Rapai explores the bird's fascinating natural history as well as the complex and evolving relationships between the warbler, its environment, its human protectors, and state and federal policies that today threaten to eradicate decades of work done on the species' behalf.

Michigan's Historic Railroad Stations by Michael Hodges
Hodges presents depots ranging from functioning Amtrak stops to converted office buildings and spectacular abandoned wrecks to highlight the beauty of these iconic structures

Mighty Miss Malone by Christopher Paul Curtis
Deza Malone lives in Michigan in the 1930s. Her family is poor but hardworking and funny. Deza is smart and tries hard to be the smartest person possible. When the Depression hits and Deza's dad is involved in a terrible accident, the family is put to very trying tests.

Skeleton Box by Bryan Gruley
Gruley writes a suspenseful mystery with characters that reek of realistic human faults and foibles and pulls the reader into the darkness that envelops the town of Starvation Lake.

Summer of 68 by Tim Wendel
Take a wild ride through a baseball season that saw pitching legends set new standards for excellence and a city torn apart by riots. Through it all, the city rallied together behind a colorful Tigers team led by Denny McLain, Mickey Lolich, Willie Horton, and Al Kaline.

Woman Like Me by Bettye LaVette
LaVette chronicles her decades-long career as a singer with Motown greats and soul legends, details here long journey to success, and tells stories told about the star singers she met along the way.

World of A Few Minutes Ago by Jack Driscol
Award-winning author Jack Driscoll writes 10 stories from the point of view of characters aged 14 to 77 with a deep understanding of each character's internal world and emotional struggles.