The 2009 Michigan Notable Books

The list of the 2009 Michigan Notable Books is already out and I didn't even get to all of the ones I wanted to read from the 2008 list. My how time flies. The titles in bold are the ones that I have added to my "to read" list which (as hard as I try) never seems to shrink. Also, I've created an online bookstore featuring the 2009 Michigan Notable Books as well as some other non-fiction Michigan books. Check it out at 2009 Michigan Notable Books.

It was on the 2000 list (back when it was merely called Read Michigan Selections) that I found one of my favorite Michigan authors, Steve Hamilton. If you love mysteries and have not read any of his - do yourself a favor and start with his first, "A Cold Day in Paradise." It won the prestigious Edgar Award (top award for a mystery novel) and introduces us to Alex McKnight and the mysteries that await in Michigan's picturesque Upper Peninsula.

• Asylum for the Insane: A History of the Kalamazoo State Hospital
• The English Major
• The Expeditions: A Novel
• "Jiffy" A Family Tradition: Mixing Business and Old-Fashioned Values
• Knucklehead: Tall Tales and Mostly True Stories of Growing Up Scieszka
• Looking for Hickories: The Forgotten Wildness of the Midwest
• Measure of the Heart: A Father's Alzheimer's, a Daughter's Return
• The Model T: A Centennial History
• Ninety Years Crossing Lake Michigan: The History of the Ann Arbor Car Ferries
• A Picturesque Situation: Mackinac Before Photography, 1615-1860
• Ravens in the Storm: A Personal History of the 1960s Antiwar Movement
• Roadie: The Misunderstood World of a Bike Racer
• Sirens of Chrome: The Enduring Allure of the Auto Show Model
• Summer Dreams: The Story of Bob-Lo Island
• The Toledo War: The First Michigan-Ohio Rivalry
• War as They Knew It: Woody Hayes, Bo Schembechler, and America in a Time of Unrest
• When the Church Becomes Your Party: Contemporary Gospel Music
• Who's Jim Hines?
• Wreck of the Carl D.: A True Story of Loss, Survival, and Rescue at Sea
• Historic Cottages of Glen Lake

There is a plethora of great items from Michigan history in the 2009 list and as you can see, that's the bulk of what I have added to my "to read" list.

Have a Great Friday!

I give a standing ovation to Mitch Albom's Sports Illustrated article

Wow. I just read Mitch Albom's new article over at SI.com, "The Courage of Detroit." As a native Michigander whose heart goes out to our entire state I just think he hit it right on the head. My favorite quote? "We are downtrodden, perhaps, but the most downtrodden optimists you will ever meet."

Yep, that sums up Detroit and the rest of the state quite nicely. I'd wear a shirt that says, "Welcome to Michigan, home of the most downtrodden optimists you will ever meet." I'd wear that like a badge of honor.

I'm proud of our state and the people that live, work, and die here. They're the type of people that make America great.

Do yourself a favor and read The Courage of Detroit. Heck, print it out and tack it to the wall or stick it to the fridge. Pass it on and share it with everyone you know.

Thanks to the heads up on the article by Big Al over at The Wayne Fontes Experience. He mainly covers the Lions, but other Michigan sports teams are also mentioned from time to time. He tells it like it is.

What do you think of winter in Michigan?

The goal of this week's poll question is to seek out who loves and who loathes winter in Michigan. I don't always enjoy the cold, but I really enjoy hiking, sledding with the kids, and other outdoor activities in the winter. It's also a great excuse to warm up with a big mug of hot cocoa and a book. [poll id="10"]

Also, if you enjoy winter camping there are 10 Michigan State Parks that are open all winter long.

Here they are:

• Mitchell (bonus - heated restrooms!)
• Traverse City (bonus - heated restrooms!)
• Algonac
• Bay City State Park
• Fort Custer
• Ludington
• North Higgins Lake State Park
• Rifle River Recreation Area
• Tahquamenon Falls
• Waterloo Recreation Area-Portage campground

Head over to Michigan.gov/dnr for a list of the current events going on at state parks and recreation areas.

2009 Banished Words List

Once again, Lake Superior State University has delivered their annual Banished Words List. With 2008 being an election year there were a plethora of words available to choose for the 2009 list.

• Green - as in "green" technology, etc.
• Carbon Footprint or Carbon Offsetting
• Maverick
• First Dude
• Bailout
• Wall Street/Main Street
• Monkey - I guess it's popular to add "monkey" to a word for amusement, I missed out on this one evidently.
• <3 - resembles a heart so you can use even less effort to say "I love you"
• Icon or Iconic
• Game Changer
• Staycation - it's like a vacation only you don't go anywhere - ugh.
• Desperate Search
• Not So Much
• Winner of Five Nominations - as in Academy Awards, etc.
• It's That Time of Year Again

Submit your nomination for the 2010 list. Read all of the comments and leave comments for this list at www.lssu.edu/banished.

Reminder that we shut down from 12/24 until 1/5/09

Just a quick reminder that we are shutting down Christmas Eve through January 5, 2009. It gives us a chance to catch our breath, re-supply all of our spent inventory, and generally enjoy time with family and friends. We'll also be installing an entirely new shopping cart system that will be a major improvement over the current setup. I really tried to get this done before the Christmas rush, but as with technology - things don't always go as planned. The new shopping cart will be full of features and options that just weren't possible under the current cart and I think it will make your gift giving experience many times better.

Have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Andrew Norton, Owner Gift Baskets From Michigan LLC

Everything has been shipped - tracking info is being emailed

Just a quick note as many are asking. We have shipped out all of the orders. We're way behind on sending out the shipment tracking information and I apologize for that. Tracking info is being emailed this afternoon. For those who ordered before 5pm December 18th, your packages will all get to the addresses provided by Christmas.

Thanks for your patience. We're doing the best we can.