"Roadie" Named to Library of Michigan's 2009 Notable Book List

Library of Michigan’s 2009 Michigan Notable Books Recount State’s Triumphs, Trials and Tenacity

The Library of Michigan announced the 2009 Michigan Notable Books (www.michigan.gov/notablebooks), 20 books highlighting Michigan people, places and events. Giving life to the diverse experiences of Michigan’s people, this year’s selection runs the gamut from novels depicting characters persevering through life’s challenges, the 100th anniversary of the Model T and an historical account of a of Great Lakes shipwreck, to books that capture the local flavor of Michigan’s culture, tourism and recreation.

“The Library of Michigan is proud to celebrate the best in Michigan literature, which represents the breadth of our state’s culture and variety of our residents’ experiences,” State Librarian Nancy Robertson said. “This year’s Michigan Notable Books provide both an opportunity to enjoy reading at its finest, and a chance to explore the wonder of Michigan’s history, natural beauty and everyday life.”

Roadie: The Misunderstood World of a Bike Racer by Jamie O. Smith. Illustrated by Jef Mallett (VeloPress) – With a keen sense of humor and a wealth of experience as a cyclist, Smith explains the wonderfully addicting but equally strange world of bicycle racing, including many of its charming habits and obsessive practices. Training, diet, several of the Michigan courses, cycle repairs, race strategies, and the puzzling question of why cyclists wear Lycra are all outlined in this unique book. Mallett’s comic illustrations perfectly complement the narrative.

Each year the Michigan Notable Books (MNB) list features 20 books published in the previous calendar year that are about or set in Michigan or the Great Lakes region or are written by a Michigan author. Robertson explained that selections include nonfiction and fiction and typically have a wide appeal to audiences, covering a range of topics and issues close to the hearts of citizens of Michigan.

For more information about the MNB program, call 517 373-1300, visit www.michigan.gov/notablebooks or email michigannotablebooks@michigan.gov.

Media please contact:
Randy Riley, special collections manager
Library of Michigan, (517) 373-5860 or rriley@michigan.gov