Sproule's Hockey Book Lands on U.P. Notable Books List
A book on the history of local hockey, by a retired Michigan Tech professor, has been included on a list of Notable U.P. books.
The Upper Peninsula Publishers & Authors Association (UPPAA) announced the Second Annual U.P. Notable Books List this week. The list honors 10 books by U.P authors and about the U.P. Making the list, which doesn't rank books in any particular order, is "Houghton: Birthplace of Professional Hockey," by Professor Emeritus Bill Sproule (CEE).
UPPAA Publications Chair Mikel Classen (Sault Ste. Marie) initiated the effort as a response to the lack of representation of U.P. writers in other Michigan state literary circles.
Classen said, “Traditionally, recognition of Michigan books has been dominated by the university presses downstate and we would like to take this opportunity to highlight literature that focuses closer to home for us.”
To build this second annual list, UPPAA consulted with Upper Michigan booksellers, book reviewers, writers, and publishers to winnow down the notable books to a bare ten titles. You can find reviews of many of these books on the UP Book Review.
Classen said "These ten books have been deemed essential reading for every U.P. lover and we highly recommend you ask your local librarian or booksellers for them today."
The U.P. Notable Books List will appear in the upcoming 5th volume of U.P. Reader, UPPAA’s own annual literary anthology featuring short stories, poetry and essays by its members.
Copies of Sproule's book are available in local bookstores and online through the Michigan Tech Bookstore.