Give the Gift of Reading With These Books by Local Authors

Check off everyone on your list with these selections from Michigan authors.
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Book covers courtesy of publishers

For the serious reader

Book cover courtesy of publisher

Detroit鈥檚 most famous journalist-author, Mitch Albom, has a new novel about Holocaust survivors. tells the story of 11-year-old Nico, an honest boy from Greece who is duped by Nazis into convincing his Jewish neighbors to board trains reportedly bound for safety and their 鈥渘ew homes鈥 鈥 but their true destination is Auschwitz.

While Nico, his brother Sebastian, and their schoolmate Fanni manage to survive, they must find a way to move forward.

For the aspiring writer

Historical fiction writer Ruta Sepetys, who grew up in Farmington Hills, argues in her latest, , that the secret to strong writing 鈥 in any genre 鈥 is embedded in your own personal experiences.

Drawing lessons from personal anecdotes, Sepetys offers aspiring writers prompts, exercises, and moments of humor.

For the picture book set

Father-son team Gary (illustrator) and Joe Ciccarelli (writer), from the Detroit area, worked together to create , which was inspired by Joe鈥檚 young son.

The food-filled, colorful book walks you through what you should do when you meet a Hangry Howard 鈥 which is the person we all become when hunger meets anger.

For the romantic

Book cover courtesy of publisher

Ann Arbor-based writer Erin Hahn鈥檚 newest title, , tells the story of a 鈥渃anceled鈥 country music artist who finds love with an old friend, who also happens to be a bandmate of her ex-fiance.

Bestselling author Viola Shipman (also known as Saugatuck resident Wade Rouse) has a brand-new holiday novel called , which focuses on a beleaguered executive who tells her boss that she can convince her elderly parents to sell their iconic Christmas store in Frankenmuth 鈥 but such things are always easier said than done.

For the young adult reader

Book cover courtesy of publisher

Angeline Boulley, who lives in southwest Michigan but considers Sault Ste. Marie home, made a huge splash with her 2021 debut, , and she鈥檚 back with , about a young woman who, while working as an intern, discovers her passion: returning what remains of her ancestors to Sugar Island. But Perry Firekeeper-Birch isn鈥檛 patient enough to deal with red tape, and this leads her into danger.

For the middle grade reader

Gavriel Savit, a National Book Award finalist () who grew up in Ann Arbor, has published his third youth novel, . The book follows a 12-year-old orphan, Eva, who travels the country pretending to channel spirits at seances until a magician summons her to the World鈥檚 Fair in Chicago.

Royal Oak-based Rebecca Mix follows up her 2022 YA fantasy debut, , but with a new middle grade novel, , about a pre-teen fairy who, when her mom falls ill, seeks the healing waters of an underground lake. Instead, Canary unearths a terrifying secret: Her world is trapped inside a giant terrarium 鈥 one they were meant to leave centuries ago.

For the mystery/crime-story hound

Book cover courtesy of publisher

Colleen Cambridge, who lives outside of Ann Arbor, recently published , the latest Phyllida Bright mystery, which follows the adventures of Agatha Christie鈥檚 fictional amateur sleuth housekeeper, and , focused on Detroit expat Tabitha Knight, a fictional best friend and neighbor of Julia Child whose handwriting fills a note found in a dead woman鈥檚 pocket.

Prolific Whitmore Lake author Loren D. Estleman has a new Valentino mystery called . Valentino, a film archivist, aims to restore a drive-in movie theater and the last remaining print of the 1917 film Cleopatra, so he dives into Hollywood鈥檚 underbelly to do so 鈥 at his own peril.

For the Detroit enthusiast

Book cover courtesy of publisher

Karen Dybis鈥 tracks the rise of this distinctive square pie 鈥 with its thick, airy crust; crisp, cheesy corners; and tomato-based sauce on top 鈥 from a single, humble local kitchen鈥檚 specialty to an international phenomenon.

Janna Jones鈥 book , published by Michigan State University Press, puts a critical and historical spotlight on eight works of public art in the Motor City.

For the music fan

One of Michigan鈥檚 most famous daughters gets the 鈥渄oorstop biography鈥 treatment via Mary Gabriel鈥檚 new book, . You can bet this bio听鈥 clocking in at nearly 900 pages 鈥 will be a comprehensive deep dive into the Mitten State鈥檚 material girl. Try to read it before Madonna鈥檚 concert at Little Caesars Arena in January.


This story is from the December 2023听issue of 香港六合彩图库资料 magazine. Read more in our digital edition.