2026 Michigan Notable Books

Bear County, Michigan: Stories

Bear County, Michigan: Stories by John Counts - TriQuarterly

In these colorful, darkly comic stories, veteran journalist and crime reporter John Counts takes readers to an often-ignored part of the country: a fictional Great Lakes coastal town in northern Michigan defined by beauty and bleakness. The cast of characters in these connected stories ranges from addicts to backwoods misfits to ruined lumber families, all bound together by their desire to obtain something just out of reach.

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea: A Veteran's Memoir

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea: A Veteran's Memoir by Khadijah Queen – Legacy Lit

This powerful memoir of resilience follows a young woman’s escape from poverty in Inkster, Michigan through military service while confronting racism, sexism and isolation aboard a Navy ship while finding strength in poetry and a relentless pursuit of self-determination.

The Containment: Detroit, the Supreme Court, and the Battle for Racial Justice in the North

The Containment: Detroit, the Supreme Court, and the Battle for Racial Justice in the North by Michelle Adams - Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Explore the epic story of Detroit's battle to integrate its schools and how the Supreme Court’s 1974 Milliken v. Bradley decision halted Northern school desegregation by excluding the suburbs from integration plans. Through vivid portraits of activists, judges, and political leaders, Adams shows how efforts to create a “metropolitan remedy” collided with a conservative judiciary and the forces of white flight, riots, and urban upheaval. The book reveals how this ruling cemented enduring educational inequality and shaped today’s resistance to affirmative action and broader civil-rights reforms.

Cooler Than Cool: The Life and Work of Elmore Leonard

Cooler Than Cool: The Life and Work of Elmore Leonard by C.M. Kushins - Mariner Books

Elmore Leonard's books were innovative in their blending of a Hemingway-inspired noirish minimalism and a masterful use of realistic dialogue over exposition - a direct evolution spurred by his years as a screenwriter. His fiction contained many layers, but the true motivation and brilliance behind his crime writing was the ongoing class struggle to achieve the American Dream - often seen through the eyes of law enforcement officers and the criminals they vowed to apprehend. C. M. Kushins shows how Leonard became one of the most successful storytellers of the 20th century, whose influence continues to have far-reaching effects on both contemporary crime fiction and American filmmaking.

Dead Moose on Isle Royale: Off Trail with the Citizen Scientists of the Wolf-Moose Project

Dead Moose on Isle Royale: Off Trail with the Citizen Scientists of the Wolf-Moose Project by Jeffrey M. Holden - Michigan State University Press

Dead Moose on Isle Royale follows Jeffrey M. Holden and teams of citizen scientists as they trek through the rugged, remote national park to locate and study dead moose for the world’s longest-running predator–prey research project. Braving harsh weather, challenging terrain, wildlife, and the increasingly heavy loads of collected bones, volunteers gather data that helps scientists understand long-term dynamics between moose, wolves, climate, and parasites. The book blends vivid accounts of off-trail wilderness travel with insights into the scientific discoveries and the unique rewards of participating in the Wolf–Moose Project.

Devouring Time: Jim Harrison, a Writer's Life

Devouring Time: Jim Harrison, a Writer's Life by Todd Goddard - Blackstone Publishing

Jim Harrison (1937–2016) was widely considered one of the finest voices of his generation. His twenty-one books of fiction and fourteen books of poetry influenced a generation of writers. Harrison helped to shape the course of contemporary American literature, revitalizing in particular the novella form, of which he was a recognized master. Based on more than one hundred original interviews and drawing upon Harrison’s collected papers, Devouring Time is the first and only literary biography of this beloved author, whose playful, irreverent, and spiritual work continues to find and delight new readers.

Forever in the Path: The Black Experience at Michigan State

Forever in the Path: The Black Experience at Michigan State University by Pero G. Dagbovie - Michigan State University Press

Forever in the Path traces the Black experience at Michigan State University from the 1890s through the late twentieth century, blending multiple historical traditions to illuminate key figures, events, and turning points. Dagbovie shows how Black students and faculty were shaped by their time at MSU while also significantly influencing the university’s mission and evolution. Through this history, the book highlights both the challenges and transformative contributions of African Americans at one of the nation’s pioneering land-grant institutions.

The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald

The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald by John U. Bacon - Liveright

On November 10, 1975, as a storm threw 100 mile-per-hour winds and 50-foot waves on Lake Superior, the 729-foot-long Edmund Fitzgerald - the biggest, best, and most profitable ship on the Lakes - found itself at the worst possible place, at the worst possible time. When she sank, she took all 29 men onboard down with her, leaving the tragedy shrouded in mystery for a half century. John U. Bacon presents the definitive account of the disaster, drawing on interviews with the families, friends, and former crewmates of those lost. Bacon explores the heartbreaking aftermath for those left behind--"the wives, the sons, and the daughters," as Gordon Lightfoot sang in his unforgettable ballad.

The Hours Are Long, But the Pay Is Low: A Curious Life in Independent Music

The Hours Are Long, But the Pay Is Low: A Curious Life in Independent Music by Rob Miller - 3 Fields Books

Rob Miller, co-founder of Chicago's storied Bloodshot Records, tells the story of the unlikely evolution of Bloodshot from a list scribbled on a cocktail napkin into an internationally renowned home for roots music, soul, Americana, and "alt-country," as well as the story of his own evolution from shy, dorky Detroit teenager to DIY label owner. Credited with launching the careers of celebrated musicians such as Neko Case and the late Justin Townes Earle, Bloodshot had an almost 30-year run as an anchor of Chicago's vibrant independent music scene from the 1990s into the early 2020s.

The House of David: Salvation, Scandal, and Survival in a Modern American Commune

The House of David: Salvation, Scandal, and Survival in a Modern American Commune by Evelyn Sterne - Oxford University Press

The House of David recounts how Benjamin and Mary Purnell built a millennialist religious commune in Benton Harbor, Michigan, whose members embraced strict rules, communal labor, and promises of immortality as they created a thriving cultural and economic enterprise. Despite scandals, lawsuits, and sensational media attention, the community grew for decades, running businesses, amusement parks, touring musical groups, and famed baseball teams. Evelyn Sterne uses extensive archival research to reveal what the commune’s rise, controversies, and survival illuminate about religious innovation, social upheaval, and the limits of toleration in modern American history.

How to Talk to Your Succulent

How to Talk to Your Succulent by Zoe Persico - Tundra Books

After the loss of her mother, Adara struggles to communicate with her family about her grief. Following a move from California to Michigan, a sympathetic ear arises in an unlikely place. Adara can finally find her words — but can she find the time to listen?

An Ignorance of Trees: A Memoir in Essays

An Ignorance of Trees: A Memoir in Essays by Jim Daniels - Cornerstone Press

In his debut collection of nonfiction, Jim Daniels writes about trees, backyard swing sets, above-ground swimming pools, pets, and hoarding, carrying his beloved Detroit with him wherever he goes. A memoir in essays doubling as a rich and textured biography of place, An Ignorance of Trees enriches the terrain of the Midwest with heart, as bruised and beautiful as ever.

Miss Betti, What Is This?: How Detroit's School Lunch Lady Got Good Food on the Menu

Miss Betti, What Is This?: How Detroit's School Lunch Lady Got Good Food on the Menu by Lela Nargi; illustrated by Kristen Uroda - Sleeping Bear Press

Miss Betti knew wholesome, nourishing food. She also knew the kids in Detroit's public schools were not getting wholesome, nourishing lunches. Luckily, as Detroit's school lunch lady, Miss Betti had the power to make a change. She started small--with fresh apples and sweet potato fries--but soon she was filling lunch trays with a rainbow of tasty choices. And then, Miss Betti looked toward some of the empty city lots across Detroit. She started an urban gardening program to teach students about growing fruits and veggies--filling schools' salad bars with fresh fare.

No Human Involved: The Serial Murder of Black Women and Girls and the Deadly Cost of Police Indifference

No Human Involved: The Serial Murder of Black Women and Girls and the Deadly Cost of Police Indifference by Cheryl L. Neely - Beacon Press

Oakland Community College professor Cheryl L. Neely traces the lives of Black women and girls from Detroit and other major US cities who were victims of targeted killings. Using personal interviews, court records, media reports, and analytical data, Neeley calls attention to serial cases of murder victims revealing why Black females are disproportionately more likely than white women to die from homicide.

Roy Reuther and the UAW: Fighting for Workers and Civil Rights

Roy Reuther and the UAW: Fighting for Workers and Civil Rights by Alan Reuther - Michigan State University Press

Alan Reuther tells the compelling story of his father Roy Reuther’s life. As a key figure in the Flint sit-down strike, a major force in the UAW, and an advocate for civil rights, voting rights, and farmworker justice, Roy Reuther’s story highlights both the achievements and the dangers faced by activists challenging powerful institutions. The book connects Reuther’s legacy to ongoing struggles for labor rights, racial justice, and democratic reform, offering hope for a more equitable future.

Stepping Off The Boat: Stories From North Manitou Island

Stepping Off The Boat: Stories From North Manitou Island by Susan Hollister Wasserman - Leelanau Press

Stepping Off the Boat traces how the Great Lakes served as early travel routes for Indigenous peoples and fur traders, shaping the later settlement of North Manitou Island and the broader Midwest. Through stories of lumbering, farming, and the rise of a once-thriving resort community, the book shows how human labor and habitation transformed the island’s landscape and history. Illustrated with hundreds of historic images, including those from the author’s personal collections, it offers a vivid look at the immigrants, workers, and families whose lives are still reflected in the island’s place names and legacy.

Theater Kid: A Broadway Memoir

Theater Kid: A Broadway Memoir by Jeffrey Seller - Simon & Schuster

Before he was producing the musical hits of our generation, Jeffrey Seller was just a kid coming to terms with his adoption, trying to understand his sexuality, and determined to escape his dysfunctional household in a poor neighborhood just outside Detroit. We see him find his voice through musical theater and move to New York, where he is determined to shed his past and make a name for himself on Broadway. But moving to the big city is never easy—especially not at the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis—and Jeffrey learns to survive and thrive in the colorful and cutthroat world of commercial theatre.

This Magnetic North: Candid Conversations on a Changing Northern Michigan

This Magnetic North: Candid Conversations on a Changing Northern Michigan by Tim Mulherin - Michigan State University Press

This Magnetic North examines how the natural beauty of Michigan’s Grand Traverse region has drawn waves of newcomers—especially during the pandemic and climate shifts—fundamentally reshaping the landscape and community. Through fieldwork and interviews with longtime residents, returnees, relocators, and local leaders, the book captures the tensions between growth and preservation. It offers a nuanced look at how this beloved region is navigating the collision of tradition, environmental concerns, and rapid population change.

The Vacation: A Teenage Migrant Farmworker’s Experience Picking Cherries in Michigan

The Vacation: A Teenage Migrant Farmworker’s Experience Picking Cherries in Michigan by Robert “Carlos” Fuentes; illustrated by Kristen Wasil - Independently Published

The Vacation follows 14-year-old Bob Fuentes during his final summer picking cherries in Michigan’s Leelanau County, where a promised “vacation” is really migrant farmwork. Through diary entries, Bob reflects on his family’s journey from Mexico, his struggles with identity and shyness, and the mix of hard labor, adventure, and first love that shapes his coming of age. As he confronts his future, he comes to understand the deeper meaning of heritage, family, and the dreams that reach beyond the orchard.

Waterline: A Novel

Waterline: A Novel by Aram Mrjoian – HarperVia

Follow the Kurkjian family on Grosse Ile after they learn Mari, the eldest of their youngest generation, has deliberately disappeared into Lake Michigan - forcing them to confront a grief rooted in generations of inherited trauma. Their great-grandfather Gregor’s survival of the Armenian Genocide casts a long shadow, shaping the family’s identity and expectations. As secrets surface in the wake of Mari’s loss, each member must reckon with how their own life fits into the family’s painful, enduring story.

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2026 Michigan Notable Books