December 2024

Winter 2024 Reading List

By Katherine Fiorillo

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Read time: 3 minutes
Our selection of winter 2024 reads written by U-M alumni, chosen for U-M alumni.

Vision: A Memoir of Blindness and Justice

by David S. Tatel, ’63 (Little, Brown and Company, 2024) 

David Tatel’s, ’63, memoir details the inspiring story of his life and career as one of the U.S.’s most respected legal minds, having spent more than 30 years on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. When Tatel lost his sight 50 years ago, he struggled to accept his blindness and only recently — with the help of his first-ever guide dog — has Tatel embraced this as part of his identity.

The cover of "Vision" shows an older man in black judge's robes with a German Shepard dog by his side on a grey background.
The cover of "Cinema Ann Arbor" shows cut outs of old photos of film rolls on a red background

Cinema Ann Arbor

by Frank Uhle, ’83, MILS’92 (University of Michigan Press, 2023)

“Cinema Ann Arbor” explores the near-century-long history of Ann Arbor, Michigan’s, vibrant film scene. With a blend of interviews (including insights from filmmakers like Ken Burns and Oscar-nominated editor Jay Cassidy), archival research, and more than 400 images, this book shows how the underground art film community in a Midwestern college town inspired and influenced others across the country. 

Dixon, Descending

by Karen Outen, MFA’04 (Dutton, 2024)

When Nate proposes that he and his younger brother Dixon become the first Black American men to summit Mount Everest, Dixon leaves behind his life and career as a school psychologist to take on the treacherous climb. But the mountain changes everything and Dixon must resume his life back home, in this fictional story of resilience and hope.

The cover of "Dixon Descending" shows a dark figure climbing a snowy mountain with a rope.
The cover of "Find Me When Youre Ready" shows a composite of colorful flowers and two legs, with socks and shoes, peaking out.

Find Me When You're Ready

by Perry Janes, ’12 (Northwestern University Press, 2024)

This poetry collection follows Perry Janes, ’12, as he leaves home in Michigan for California. Told over five acts, the poems explore ideas about manhood, the aftershocks of abuse, and the human need for belonging.  

The Main Character

by Jaclyn Goldis, ’05 (Atria/Emily Bestler Books, 2024)

In this thrilling mystery, Ginevra Ex is a bestselling author who takes a unique approach to writing thrillers by fictionalizing interviews with real people. When she invites her latest muse, Rory, on a luxurious train trip along Italy’s Mediterranean coast, Rory is shocked to find Ginevra has invited her brother, ex-fiancé, and best friend. Soon, Rory finds herself in the middle of a real-life thriller. 

The cover of "The Main Character" shows a tan ticket with a darkened coastline in the background.
The cover of "Celebrate Every Day" shows a pie in the center with other baked goods and confetti around it.

Zingerman's Bakehouse Celebrate Every Day: A Year's Worth of Favorite Recipes for Festive Occasions, Big and Small

by Amy Emberling, Lindsay-Jean Hard, ’03, MUP’06, Lee Vedder, Corynn Coscia, ’06 (Zingerman’s Press, 2024)

With more than 100 photos from which to draw inspiration, the new cookbook from Zingerman’s Bakehouse is about celebrating special days — big and small — with good food. It includes 80 recipes for everything from Gingerbread Coffee Cake for the first day of winter to “Oh So A-peel-ing Banana Bread” for Earth Day and Bacon Pimento Cheese for fall tailgating, so readers can celebrate significant occasions all year long.

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