Library of Michigan Announces 2017 Michigan Notable Book Awards Contact: Martin Ackley, Director of Public and Governmental Affairs 517-241-4395 Agency: Education January 9, 2017 LANSING -Time and space are major themes for the list of Michigan Notable Books for 2017, released by the Library of Michigan. A fictitious account of John F. Kennedy's presidency; real and imagined post-World War II stories; and fiction set in the near-future are among the wide-ranging topics found on this year's list of 20 titles. The acclaimed books encompass the entire Great Lakes basin from the far reaches of the Upper Peninsula to the dense suburbs of Detroit, and even include an island-hopping journey across the largest freshwater lakes on Earth. "This intriguing collection of books represents a spectrum of Michigan's people, places and the history that makes our state unique," State Superintendent Brian Whiston said about this year's list. "I'm continuously impressed by the ever-increasing strength and popularity of the Library of Michigan's Michigan Notable Book list. The abundance of quality writing generates more interest every year among bookstores, writers, libraries, and readers from all walks of life." Each year, the Michigan Notable Book (MNB) list features 20 books, published during the previous calendar year, which are about, or set in, Michigan or the Great Lakes region, or written by a Michigan author. Selections include a variety of genres, both fiction and nonfiction, that appeal to many audiences and explore topics and issues close to the hearts of Michigan residents. The 2017 list includes histories, memoirs, poetry and short story collections exploring current events, family dynamics, music, design and architecture and true crime. MNB is a statewide program that began as part of the 1991 Michigan Week celebration, designed to pay tribute and draw attention to the many people, places, and things that make Michigan life unique and vibrant. "The MNB selections clearly demonstrate the rich subject matter Michigan offers to writers," said State Librarian Randy Riley. "Everyone will find something of interest that speaks to their lives or experiences in our great state." This year's MNB selection committee includes representatives from the Library of Michigan; the Library of Michigan Foundation; Muskegon Area District Library; Herrick District Library of Holland; Cooley Law School; Howell Carnegie District Library; Lansing City Pulse newspaper; Michigan's State Historic Preservation Office; Wayne State University; Michigan Department of Education; Michigan Center for the Book; Michigan Humanities Council; and Schuler Books & Music. For more information or questions about the Michigan Notable Book program, contact the Library of Michigan at 517-373-1300, visit www.michigan.gov/notablebooks<http://www.michigan.gov/notablebooks> , or email librarian@michigan.gov<mailto:librarian@michigan.gov>. Sonya Schryer Norris Library of Michigan 702 W. Kalamazoo St. PO Box 30009 Lansing, MI 48909 517-373-4457 http://www.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan http://www.mel.org<http://www.mel.org/> http://www.michlibrary.org<http://www.michlibrary.org/> [cid:image002.png@01D20444.B08921B0]