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Announcing the U.P. Notable Book Club

Read books—Zoom with authors—get educated and entranced by Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula

Do you love to read? Do you love the raw, untamed, beautiful U.P? Do you miss people? Are you longing to engage with intelligent people such as yourself in meaningful discussions about something other than the 2020 election, COVID-19, the economy, or climate change? Then here is just the thing for you–Join the U.P. Notable Books Book Club.

Here is how. There are 10 books on the 1st Annual U.P. Notable Books List. Eight of the authors have agreed to do a Zoom talk with readers like yourself about their book. Buy these eight books, or check them out from your local library. (If you are buying your books, please consider supporting your local,

independent booksellers). Then meet with the author and other readers monthly to discuss the book. The zoom links for each talk will be listed on the Crystal Falls District Community Library’s website: joomla.uproc.lib.mi.us/CrystalFalls/, a week before each event. The schedule is:

— Jan. 19, 6 p.m.: “The Marsh King’s Daughter” by Karen Dionne.

— Feb. 11, 6 p.m.: “Three Fires Unity: The Anishnaabeg of Lake Huron Borderlands” by Phil Bellfy.

— March 11, 6 p.m.: “Out” by John Smolens.

— April 8, 6 p.m.: “Cady and the Bear Necklace” by Ann Dallman.

— May 13, 6 p.m.: “Murder on Sugar Island (Getting to Know Jack Book 2)” by Michael Carrier.

— June 10, 6 p.m.: “Camera Hunter: George Shiras III and the Birth of Wildlife Photography” by James H. McCommons.

— July 8, 6 p.m.: “Lake Superior Tales: Stories of Humor and Adventure in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, 2nd Edition” by Mikel B. Classen.

— August 12, 6 p.m.: “Go Find! My Journey to Find the Lost–and Myself” by Susan Purvis.

Evelyn Gathu, Director of the Crystal Falls District Community Library, is the creator and organizer of this club. Gathu states, “Last Spring I heard about the Summer Scares program, which is created by the Horror Writers Association, and is partnered with Library Journal, Book Riot, and United for Libraries. Yearly, there are nine books selected (three for each level: adult, young adult, and middle grades). I read the books, and went on to create book clubs for the patrons of our library. We met monthly, and we had the authors of the books join us by using Zoom. It was amazing. While, many libraries were closed and suffering from a disconnect from their patrons–our library actually grew, thanks to Summer Scares.”

“The adults involved did not want to quit this type of book club where you get to meet and talk with the authors. I had read in the local paper that the first ever U.P. Notable Books List was created by the editors of the U.P. Reader and the UPPAA (Upper Peninsula Publishers & Authors Association). I contacted the UPPAA President, Victor R. Volkman, and he was thrilled with the idea. He gave me the contact information for the authors, most of which were really excited to participate. Some authors agreed to give their Zoom talk with an audience at their hometown library. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, we will adjust accordingly following the CDC guideline for these types of gatherings. At the very least, the authors will host their author talk on Zoom from their homes.”

Please consider reading these wonderful books and joining us for illuminating discussions. If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn Gathu, the Director of the Crystal Falls District Community Library, either by email: egathu@uproc.lib.mi.us, or by phone: (906) 875-3344.

More information about the U.P. Notable Book list, U.P. Book Review, and UPPAA can be found on www.UPNotable.com

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