Leelanau Fall reads: new books by local authors
From staff reports
We chatted with the experts, the bookworms, and bookstore owners, and here’s our roundup of local books, or books written by local authors, that were published this year. Find them at Leelanau County’s locally-owned, independent bookstores: Cottage Book Shop in Glen Arbor, Bay Books in Suttons Bay, Dog Ears Books in Northport, and Leelanau Books in Leland; or at your local library. Happy reading!
If a Petoskey Stone Could Talk by Brittany Darga, illustrated by Jennifer Franzoni (Mission Point Press)
Did you know that Petoskey stones are perhaps one of the oldest things you will ever hold in your hand? Are they older than Grandpa? Older than dinosaurs? How did they form? Why are they most abundantly found in Michigan? If a Petoskey Stone Could Talk tells the story of a family’s visit to the beach and imagines the history of Michigan through the eyes of a Petoskey stone-when millions of years ago, Michigan was surrounded by a warm ocean and dinosaurs roamed the state. Petoskey stones even go back before dinosaurs and the most recent Ice Age, more than three hundred million years ago. Now that’s OLD! It is fun to imagine what Petoskey stones have seen, and what they know. If a Petoskey stone could talk, what would it say? This book is a wonderful exploration for curious minds-children and adults alike!
The Mad Angler: Poems by Michael Delp (Mission Point Press)
Michael Delp’s Mad Angler alter ego is equal parts environmental crusader and water shaman, and his hostility toward those “feral hogs of greed” isn’t so much invective or diatribe as it is an appeal for sanity in a world gone, well, mad, writes Jack Driscoll in the introduction. And at the “heart of the heart” of these poems is a voice attempting to transpose madness into song, rant into meditation, “the mist coming off the water,” and in spite of the “piss swill of corporate runoff.” And so, the occasion of these persona poems is twofold: First, to confront and speak—and in direct and unavoidable proximity to those “darker hearts of developers”—the language of cherishing and its corollary, the spirit and pursuit of preservation. And secondly to foster a respect for, and to defend the ancient and abiding imperative of committed stewardship. I say, cheers for such madness left unchecked and unapologetic, a wildness of heart that celebrates and holds every feeder creek and current, every wetland and backwater and swamp. Edgy, irate, calling out the “soul traders,” the Mad Angler’s passion for moving water runs deep and in the mysterious, and beautiful and oftentimes haunting images of these poems.
Beaches, Boats, and Birds: A Lake Michigan Alphabet Book by Julie Dickerson, illustrated by Rhonda Manlove McKinnon (Mission Point Press)
Spending time outdoors enriches children’s creativity, imaginations, and relaxes and refreshes them. With the use of beautiful watercolor illustrations, Beaches, Boats, and Birds: A Lake Michigan Alphabet Book examines the importance of playing outside with family while also teaching children to appreciate and respect nature and beauty. This book shares a story of the Great Lakes beaches for first-time visitors or for those who want to relive their experience, while also serving as inspiration and motivation to unplug and get away from technology and screens.
Raw Deal: The Indians of the Midwest and the Theft of Native Lands by Robert Downes (Wandering Press)
Raw Deal explores the theft of Native lands by squatters, speculators, unfair treaties and blatant swindles, focusing on the Indians of the Midwest and the Great Lakes. Although Indian lands were paid for with hard cash and services provided by the U.S. government, it was always for pennies per acre, backed by the threat of removal at the point of bayonets, sabers and guns wielded by government troops and violent militias. Native peoples who bowed to government demands soon learned that federal treaties rarely lived up to their promises. Raw Deal traces the heroic efforts of the Indians to retain their homeland through centuries of warfare and exploitation. From the first people to inhabit the Upper Great Lakes 13,000 years ago, Raw Deal ranges across the centuries in the confrontation between Native peoples and the hard-luck immigrants of Europe, who came flooding across the ocean, eager to get their share in a dog-eat-dog world.
The Colony: The history, families, society, architecture, and economics of a 1908 traditional American Cottage Row by Howard Draper (Dorrance Publishing Company)
This book is the first to explore the history of a 1908 communal Cottage Row called The Colony, and also the nearby 1889 summer resort called Fountain Point. This history directly concerns Lake Leelanau, Michigan, but it also reflects major social and economic changes shared with many other parts of the United States due to the growth in the late 19th century of vacationing as a culmination of the Industrial Revolution. Draper explores these issues by telling the stories of the six families who joined The Colony, and other families who then built summer cottages nearby. They ran the gamut from a retired widow and a traveling salesman, to a distinguished physician, to two wealthy owners of the Ohio company that first invented and sold KitchenAid appliances. Draper’s meticulous unfolding of the history of The Colony not only sheds light on the era’s economic history but also encourages readers to explore the histories of their own idyllic vacation spots, including several he mentions created by members of the African American community. Draper’s book is both a fascinating read and a major contribution to scholarship, said Henry Louis Gates, Jr., of Harvard University.
The Nickle Loop by Nancy Houser-Bluhm, self-published
They say love conquers all, but can it conquer time? Emmeline, a driven young woman, has withdrawn from friends and family since her adored father died suddenly. Traveling by train to visit her sister in a small Colorado town, she steps from 2022 into 1938. When she meets kind, well-educated Nicholas, she recognizes his panic and disbelief. He just arrived from 1898. The two struggle to grasp their shattered reality but blending into 1938 draws them close and love sparks. When a psychic offers hope for returning to their own times, will they forfeit what could be? Nicholas is astonished by the advances 1938 offers but Emmeline knows the 1930s hold little opportunity for her as a woman. A discovery intensifies the pull back to her own time. Can her heart exist on two timelines?
Old Bones, Young Spirit: An Experienced Cyclist’s 15-Day Adventure Around Lake Michigan by John McShea (Mission Point Press)
An entertaining account of an active retiree taking a solo and self-supported 15-day bike trip around Lake Michigan, starting from and finishing in Chicago. The adventure began with McShea crossing the southern rim of the lake, riding up the lake’s eastern shore through Michigan, across the Upper Peninsula, and finally south along the lake’s western shore through Wisconsin and back to Illinois. McShea averaged more than 75 miles a day, sleeping in memorable motels each night and eating at unique restaurants, diners, bars and store fronts along the way. The author also raised money for the Danny Did Epilepsy Foundation, which provides seizure monitors for kids and adults afflicted with epilepsy. Each day became a chapter in this inspiring story of crazy weather, fascinating people, strange yet memorable sightings, and beautiful cycling routes. Readers are treated to funny geographic and historical stories along the route. If you think you are too old to ride more than 1,100 miles over 15 days, let the story of John McShea inspire you to “go the extra mile”!
Are There Any Fish in Fishtown? by Dana Norton (Little Pine Publishing)
Watching little fishes being eaten by loons / Knowing we’re not far from the Sleeping Bear Dunes / My fishing adventure brings me to ponder / Just what the trick is from a skillful fishmonger. Join Lou on his fishing adventure in the charming town of Leland, Michigan. With determination in his heart and his trusty fishing rod in hand, he sets out for a day of fishing in the beautiful waters of Fishtown. But will his persistence be enough to reel in any fish?
People of the Dune by Jim Olson (Water Visions Media)
In a tense showdown between corporate interests and community values, the fate of the Voyager Dune hangs in the balance. Mython Corporation’s ambitious plans to extract the dune and replace it with a sprawling residential complex along one of North America’s Great Lakes spark a grassroots movement of resistance. Led by local tribes, residents, and conservation groups, protesters gather at the base of the dune, forming an encampment to block the mining operation. Legal battles ensue, with Mython filing lawsuits to remove the encampment. Meanwhile, the tribes and concerned citizens rally under the banners of the Mound People Coalition and People of the Dune, seeking legal avenues to halt the destruction of this cherished landscape. Amidst the legal wrangling, the weight of Judge Odom “Odie” Holmes’s decision looms large. Despite his adherence to the principles of law, he grapples with the profound moral implications of his ruling. As the trial unfolds in his courtroom, the clash between property rights and the cultural and natural significance of the dune unfolds before him. When he ultimately upholds the law, permitting the removal of the dune to proceed, he finds himself haunted by doubt and introspection.
Love on the Lakefront: Romantic Tales from the Great Lakes (Great Lakes Fiction Writers)
Dive into the beauty and passion of Love on the Lakefront: Romantic Tales from the Great Lakes. This anthology, crafted by the talented members of the Great Lakes Fiction Writers, brings together 12 unforgettable stories of love and longing, set against the backdrop of one of the most beautiful regions of North America.
Remembering Crescent: Logging and Life on North Manitou, 1907-1915 by Bill and Karen Rosa (Mission Point Press)
Forty years after North Manitou Island was acquired by the National Park Service, the site of the village of Crescent is largely hidden in its 15,000-acre wilderness. But the memories have been preserved. In this book, the family of A.J. White, who ran the Crescent sawmill, shares their trove of historical photographs from the years 1907 to 1915. “Ghost towns capture our imagination. Today, there are old dock pilings and a few concrete piers to mark what was once Crescent, Michigan—a thriving community of over 300 people. Using rare photographs and detailed explanations of the early 1900s lumbering era, this book shows how people lived and how things worked in a a company town—right down to the long studs hammered into horses’ shoes so they wouldn’t slip on ice and mud. What an important addition to the annals of North Manitou Island life!” writes Susan Wasserman, writer, historian, and Leelanau Historical Society 2022 Research Fellow
Rockhounding: A Beginner’s Guide to Rock Hunting Around Lake Michigan by Scot and Jennifer Wack (Mission Point Press)
Created for those who love exploring Lake Michigan’s shores, this guide is your go-to for identifying rocks. Explore this complete visual guide of shoreline stones with detailed descriptions and characteristics, alongside invaluable tips, tricks, and essential tools for confident beachcombing. In addition, discover ideas for rock crafting, including tumbling, hand-sanding, and an easy at-home hardness test. Let this book guide and inspire your rockhounding adventures, turning nature exploration into life-long memories.
