Staff Picks: Great Reads Published by Fifth Avenue Press
by emjane
Did you know the library has a publishing imprint? Since 2017, Fifth Avenue Press has worked to bring great books written by Washtenaw County residents into reality – and into the hands of readers and library users!
One of the neatest things about this collection of books is that ALL of them are available for you to read digitally RIGHT NOW! You can read them directly in your browser from AADL’s catalog or download the PDFs to read from other devices. You can learn more about Fifth Avenue Press here.
Over in Motown by Debbie A. Taylor. Illustrated by Keisha Morris | Request Physical Copy Now | Access the Digital Copy Now
This charming picture book gives a music-centered tour of Detroit. Readers and listeners meet music groups while counting up to ten with sweet rhymes and engaging bold illustrations. Over in Motown has more meat to the story than counting books generally do, with images and groups based on real places and figures—plus there’s a great timeline of key moments of Motown History to finish out the book.
What Are You Looking At by Erin Wakeland | Request Physical Copy Now | Access the Digital Copy Now
Documenting four pieces of experimental art created by Erin Wakeland, What are You Looking At is unlike any book I’ve ever read. Wakeland’s tale of sewing together the red solo cups littered on the lawn after a frat party and returning them to the incredulous partygoers to reuse made me cackle aloud. I was surprisingly moved by her postcard project – leaving 100 pre-stamped postcards in various locations around Ann Arbor prompting people to write “what have you noticed lately” and drop the postcards in the mail. But the whole book is worth devouring!
Northern Woods by Amy Hepp | Request Physical Copy Now | Access the Digital Copy Now
After catching her (now ex-)husband in an affair with his assistant, teacher Emma is looking for a reset over the summer. She’s imagining relaxing in the lodge and casually canoeing the Northern Woods, but realizes too late that she accidentally booked a 10-day camping and canoeing adventure instead. Determined to not let her vacation be another area of her life that has failed to live up to expectations, she journeys onward and finds help and friendship from fellow campers Penny, Helen and Mark…and from Mark, maybe something more than friendship. This sweet romance reads smoothly and makes you want to explore the Northern Woods yourself – albeit being wary of chiggers and poison ivy!
Ann Arbor Adventures: A Trip to Matthaei Botanical Gardens by Ashlee Kristine Edens. Illustrated by Nicole Ray | Request Physical Copy Now | Access the Digital Copy Now
The Ann Arbor adventure series of picture books center on various places around town a family might visit, giving details of what people might find there. They serve as an excellent introduction to a child curious or nervous about an upcoming trip, but are fun even if a visit isn’t in the readers' near future. The gorgeous Matthaei Botanical Gardens are one of my favorite spots in town and they’re wonderfully represented by Nicole Ray’s illustrations!
