7 books by Michigan authors to add to your summer reading list
Working on your TBR list for the summer? Incorporate the Mitten State into your seasonal reads with our roundup of compelling books by Michigan authors.
Even if you’re a year-round bookworm, there’s something extra special about a summer read. Whether you’re sprawling out under the sun on one of Michigan’s most beautiful beaches or unwinding in the comfort of your own living room, great books pair perfectly with the simple magic of long, slow summer days.
As you plot out your reading list for the rest of the season, why not give a little love to writers with close-to-home roots? Whether you’re a memoir fanatic, a true crime buff, or a sucker for romance, you’ll find something to savor on our list of seven summer reads by Michigan authors.
1. “Ordinary People” by Judith Guest
If you’re a serious reader, you might have already checked out “Ordinary People” by Judith Guest—but this is a novel that’s worth reading twice. Originally published in 1976, the book by Detroit-born (and University of Michigan-educated!) Guest tells the story of an affluent family’s struggles and successes in the wake of tragedy.
“Ordinary People” certainly isn’t a light beach read, as it covers themes of grief, mental illness, midlife crises, and fractured relationships. But if you’re searching for something compelling and moving, it’s a great pick.
2. “Firekeeper’s Daughter” by Angeline Boulley
Angeline Boulley was raised in Sault Ste. Marie as a member of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Her cultural background deeply informs her work, as is evident in “Firekeeper’s Daughter.” Published in 2021, Boulley’s debut novel is an engrossing dive into a young woman’s identity as she reconciles her coexisting Native and white identities.
The story revolves around a murder and an FBI investigation, so it’s a great choice for fans of true crime who crave more nuanced takes on crime and justice. While “Firekeeper’s Daughter” is classified as young adult fiction, it’s a worthwhile thriller for adults of all ages.
3. “Boys Come First” by Aaron Foley
Published in 2022, Detroiter Aaron Foley’s celebrated debut novel “Boys Come First” is equal parts humorous and heartfelt. The book follows three gay Black men living in Detroit as they navigate breakups, layoffs, and friendship in their 30s. “Boys Come First” offers a charming and insightful look at modern millennial life amid the backdrop of the complicated and ever-changing Motor City.
It’s a great choice for fans of romantic fiction who appreciate exploring relationships (romantic and otherwise) through the lens of multiple identities and experiences. You’ll probably be tempted to finish it all in one sitting.
4. “The Waters” by Bonnie Jo Campbell
Bonnie Jo Campbell’s “The Waters” is a dreamy read for folks who love Michigan nature and the emotions it inspires. Published in 2024, Campbell’s novel draws inspiration from her life here in the Great Lakes State (Kalamazoo, to be exact). “The Waters” tells the story of a family of herbalists living on an island in the center of a Michigan swamp.
It follows the family’s eccentric matriarch, who also identifies as a healer, and her granddaughter as they navigate small-town life and engage with the land. Pick up a copy if you’re looking for a bit of Michigan magic this summer.
5. Crime fiction by Elmore Leonard
True crime enthusiasts will likely be familiar with Elmore Leonard, best known for his thrillers and suspenseful crime novels. Leonard spent much of his upbringing in West Bloomfield, where he graduated from University of Detroit Jesuit High School in the early 40s.
You could spend all summer engrossed in Leonard’s work alone, but we recommend some of his most celebrated works like “Get Shorty,” “La Brava,” and “Rum Punch.” You’ll find character-driven stories that explore the criminal world with both grit and humor.
6. “Stealing Buddha’s Dinner” by Beth Nguyen
Here’s one for the non-fiction fans! “Stealing Buddha’s Dinner” is a memoir by Beth Nguyen (née Bich Minh Nguyen), who grew up in Grand Rapids during the 1980s. The book chronicles Nguyen’s quest to become a “real” American while balancing the traditions of her Vietnamese family.
You’ll find humor throughout “Stealing Buddha’s Dinner,” especially in Nguyen’s descriptions of her obsession with “true” American fare like Jell-O and hamburgers. Her down-to-earth writing style allows readers of all backgrounds to experience her struggles and successes as an outsider coming of age in ‘80s West Michigan.
7. “Middlesex” by Jeffrey Eugenides
Perhaps you’ve read the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Middlesex,” but did you know that its author is a Michigander? That’s right: Writer Jeffrey Eugenides was born and raised in Detroit and Grosse Pointe.
Eugenides’ “The Virgin Suicides” is also well-known (maybe you’ve seen the movie adaptation), but “Middlesex” earned him the Pulitzer in 2003 for its exploration of a Greek family and a genetic mutation that causes several family members to be born intersex.
The novel explores gender identity, the concept of “nature versus nurture,” and even the American Dream. If you’re looking for a summer read that will both challenge and move you, ”Middlesex” fits the bill.
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