Kicking off the series are two Michigan Notable Book authors, Bill Vlasic and Bruce Kopytek, whose work represents the rich history and culture of Michigan. On May 7 at 7 p.m., CADL and its community partner the Library of Michigan, welcomes Bill Vlasic to speak at the Okemos branch. An award-winning journalist currently serving as Detroit bureau chief for the New York Times, Vlasic’s Once Upon a Car: The Fall and Resurrection of America’s Big Three Auto Makers–GM, Ford, and Chrysler, is a unique American tale of success, failure and redemption. Publishers Weekly calls it “a devastating account of auto industry arrogance, ignorance, and tragedy.”

Those who fondly remember the beloved department store Jacobson’s will enjoy a visit from Bruce Allen Kopytek on May 10 at 7 p.m., at CADL Downtown Lansing. His book, Jacobson’s—I Miss It So! The Story of a Michigan Fashion Institution, was honored by the Library of Michigan for his tribute to the department store chain that began in Michigan in 1838 and ended in bankruptcy in 2002.

Bestselling author Wade Rouse will speak at the Williamston Theater on May 14 at 6 p.m. and again at Art Alley in Reo Town on May 22 at 6 p.m. Four of his five books are critically-acclaimed memoirs, including America’s Boy and It’s All Relative: A Memoir of Two Families, Three Dogs, 34 Holidays and 50 Boxes of Wine. Rouse is a contributor to Michigan Public Radio, a humor columnist for LGBT-focused Metrosource magazine and a presenter at writing seminars.

Books will be available for sale and signing at every event, with seating on a first-come basis.

The Library of Michigan organizes the Michigan Notable Books program, a statewide program that began as part of the 1991 Michigan Week celebration. Its focus is to pay tribute and draw attention to the many people, places and things that make Michigan special.

As with every other season here in Michigan, I am always reminded how much I love living in such a naturally beautiful state, as spring time sets in. My reminder today came in the form of a family of geese (3 babies sandwiched between mom and dad) as they made their way across the street in front of me. However, beyond the spring time, this time of year also brings another celebration of Michigan –the “Night for Notables.”

This Saturday, April 28th, Library of Michigan will be putting on this event to recognize great talents from our heritage and related to our great state. Books written to share perspective on Michigan’s history, the state’s triumphs and struggles, beauty, and even fiction that is based in the Mitten state are highlighted.

Click here to find out more about this event.

Additionally, below is a list of books being recognized at the Night for Notables which can also be found on the shelf here at the GRCC Library:

• Elly Peterson: “Mother” of the Moderates by Sara Fitzgerald
• Everyday Klansfolk: White Protestant Life and the KKK in 1920s Michigan by Craig Fox
• Ghost Writers: Us Haunting Them edited by Keith Taylor and Laura Kasischke
• Hank Greenberg: The Hero Who Didn’t Want to Be One by Mark Kurlansky
• Here Comes Trouble: Stories from my life by Michael Moore
• In Stitches: A Memoir by Anthony Youn with Alan Eisenstock
• Jacobson’s: I Miss It So! The story of a Michigan Fashion Institution by Bruce Allen Kopytek
• Michigan and the Civil War: a Great and Bloody Sacrifice by Jack Dempsey
• Misery Bay by Steve Hamilton
• Miss Martin Is a Martian by Colleen Murray Fisher, illustrated by Jared Chapma
• Motor City Shakedown by D. E. Johnson
• A nation’s hope: the story of boxing legend Joe Louis by Matt De La Pena, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson
• Once upon a car: the fall and resurrection of America’s big three auto makers–GM, Ford, and Chrysler by Bill Vlasic
• Vintage views of the Charlevoix-Petoskey region by M. Christine Byron and Thomas R. Wilson