What's sweeter than a small town in Michigan?

How about 99 more small Michigan towns?

Northport is small, but the author may be saving us for a future volume, because only Empire represents Leelanau County in the new book, Little Michigan: A Nostalgic Look at Michigan’s Smallest Towns, a book featuring 100 towns with population of 600 or fewer full-time residents, from Ahmeek in the Upper Peninsula to Zeba, also in the U.P. But never fear — lower Michigan holds 84 of the book’s little Michigan towns.

An introductory map of the state shows all 100 alphabetically and geographically. Each book is then given a double-page spread, opening with a rectangle of color photographs, history of the town, additional noteworthy information, and a paragraph on the town as you will find it today. 

Little Michigan is an invitation to venture off the main roads and into Michigan’s past. How many of these small towns were born in the lumbering era? 

Following the Lake Michigan shoreline south from Empire, a reader quickly finds Bear Lake and Beulah. Perhaps a sequel will include Cedar and Maple City? We can hope! 

Little Michigan: A Nostalgic Look at 

Michigan’s Smallest Towns

by Kathryn Houghton

Paper, 239pp with information source notes

$16.95

When You Cross That Bridge

When Leelanau County residents “go Up North” in their home state, they're usually headed for the Upper Peninsula. If you’ve never crossed the Mackinac Bridge, that alone is worth a trip, but it’s only the beginning. I love the title 100 Things to Do in the Upper Peninsula Before You Die, because I always think that’s the best time to do things, don’t you? I’m also very happy to report that Snowbound Books in Marquette made the shopping section of Kath Usitalo’s new book.

100 Things to Do in the Upper Peninsula Before You Die

by Kath Usitalo

Paperback, 146pp, illus., index

$16

Don't Miss Anything Up North

This is the perfect book to have on hand for your visitors who want to know what to do and where to go when they’re in the Grand Traverse area. From Lake Ann to Northport and over to Elk Rapids, with Traverse City as its center, Inside UpNorth is full of ideas for every season of the year. There are also maps, photographs, and other wonderful illustrations (some by Glenn Wolff). In fact, I can’t even begin to cover everything you’ll find in this indispensable guide.

Inside UpNorth: The Complete Tour, Sport and Country Living Guide to Traverse City, Traverse City Area, Leelanau County [and more, says your bookseller]

by Heather Shaw, Jodee Taylor, Tom Carr, and many more

Mission Point Press, paper, 250pp

$16.95

Featured Young Adult Novels for April

See You in the Cosmos, by Jack Cheng, is the author’s first YA literary venture. The novel’s protagonist is 11-year-old Alex, obsessed with space exploration. He has even named his dog Carl Sagan. Alex’s father has died, his mother has problems, and his older brother isn’t around much, so it’s Carl Sagan (the dog) who is Alex’s chosen companion on a road trip with a constantly changing destination that brings many surprises into the boy’s life.

I still have more to pack but I needed a break, so I came up to the roof of my house. I love lying down on the hood of a car like Dr. Arroway in the movie Contact but my mom doesn’t drive anymore, so I just come up on our ladder to the roof. I usually come up here at night so that way I’m closer to the stars, even though it’s only one story closer. 

The protagonist of American Street, by Ibi Zoboi, is a girl who has made a different kind of voyage. When Fabiola Toussaint, born in the United States, leaves familiar Port-au-Prince with her mother, she thought they would reach a new home together, but in the airport in New York her mother is detained, to be sent back to Haiti, and the frightened daughter must fly on to Detroit alone to meet her cousins in what feels like strange new land.

Darkness seeps into every crack and corner of this Detroit. Even with a few lampposts dotting the streets, I can’t see the breadth and depth of this city that is my birthplace, that is now my home. I squint to see if the big mansions I’ve seen on American TV will glow of sparkle in the dark. I hope to catch a glimpse of the very tops of the tall buildings, but the car is moving too fast—with its fancy seats, too-loud music, and the scent of shiny new things.
 

Ibi Zoboi’s American Street, then, is set in Detroit, while Jack Cheng, author of See You in the Cosmos, grew up in Michigan. I’ve given you a taste from the beginning of each story, with everything yet to come for Alex and Fabiola, in hopes you will want to journey along with them.

American Street, by Ibi Zoboi

Hardcover, 314pp, $16.99

See You in the Cosmos, by Jack Cheng

Hardcover, 324pp, $17.99

Island Getaway, Anyone?

Did you know there are around 35,000 islands in the Great Lakes? How many have you visited? Of the ones you haven’t explored, which would be your #1 pick – or don’t you know? This book may help you decide.

Complete with maps and color photographs and arranged geographically, Great Lakes Island Escapes tells you how to get to each island and how to get around on it once you’re there. What to see, where to stay, websites and addresses are also included, but I especially appreciate the “Parting Thoughts” for each island visit the author made.

I'd like to visit Beaver Island

and revisit Harsen's Island

It’s winter. It’s time to dream. Let your spirit fly away!

Great Lakes Island Escapes: Ferries and

       Bridges to Adventure 

by Maureen Dunphy

Detroit: A Painted Turtle Book

Paper, 427pp w/ index & illus.

$29.99

Michigan ROCKS!

I’m thrilled to announce that I now have, back in stock and even autographed by one of the co-authors, the popular, much-desired, and for a time elusive Michigan Rock Picker’s Guide. Since Partners Book Distributing went out of business, the former publisher of this book dropped it, and the copyright went back to the authors, who have now had it reprinted in color better than the original.

Lake Michigan Rock Picker’s Guide

by Bruce Mueller & Kevin Gauthier

Paperback, 80pp, $15.95

And that’s not all. For intrepid adventurers whose Michigan experiences extend as far as the “Sunrise Side” and the Upper Peninsula, I also have a couple copies each of Lake Huron Rock Picker’s Guide and Lake Superior Rock Picker’s Guide – same amateur-friendly information, same beautiful color, and same great price. 

Take a Trip (or More than One) with Robert Downes

Biking Northern Michigan:

The Best & Safest Routes

in the Lower Peninsula,

2^nd edition,

by Robert Downes

Paper, $14.95

Travels with My Wife:

7 Months Around the World

by Robert Downes with Jeanette Wildman

Paper, $14.95

This season is seeing a lot of maps in books from northern Michigan authors. Kind of makes a reader’s feet itch for the road. Bob Downes has updated his Biking Northern Michigan Book and also takes us overseas in a new book, Travels with My Wife.

You’ll wonder how much time Bob and Jeanette spend at home in Traverse City, but you may also find yourself inspired by their ambitious trip from Australia through Asia and the Near East to Europe. Yes, there is a map showing the route, with each chapter giving rich details of their foreign experiences. And if you can’t take the trips yourself, enjoy them vicariously in the pages of Bob’s books.

New Book on Michigan Waterfalls

Waterfalls of Michigan: The Definitive Guide to the Waterfalls of Michigan, by photographer Phil Stagg, when complete, will be a four-volume work, but Book 1 is at Dog Ears Books now. It covers four counties in the Upper Peninsula (Alger, Chippewa, Delta and Luce) and two in the lower (Manistee and Presque Isle). The color photographs are beautiful, and information clearly and beautifully laid out.

For each waterfall included, Stagg provides what he calls a data table full of vital information for hikes wanting to explore. How difficult is the climb? Is it dangerous? Do you need boots? What about access? And more. There are also detailed maps to get you there.

136 pp., paper, $19.95