‘The Faygo Book’ author, and floats at library June 14.

‘The Faygo Book’ author, and floats at library June 14.

LUDINGTON — Joe Grimm, author of “The Faygo Book”, will pay a special visit to the Mason County District Library in Ludington at 1 p.m. on Friday, June 14, for an afternoon of first-rate storytelling, book signing and question-and-answer time with guests, as well a Faygo float tasting party.

Grimm is one of 20 authors whose engaging works were chosen as 2019 Michigan Notable Books selections. The Mason County District Library is located at 217 East Ludington Ave.

“It’s a literary treat to have Joe Grimm in our community, sharing his captivating work with our friends and neighbors in such an open, accessible way,” said Eric Smith, director of the Mason County District Library. “Michigan is home to some of the best stories and storytellers found anywhere in the country. An author of Joe Grimm’s caliber here, in our library, will make it an afternoon to remember.”

“This year’s Michigan Notable Books delve into wonderfully diverse topics and offer something of interest for just about everyone,” said State Librarian Randy Riley.

For details about this author event, call 231-843-8465 or visit the Web at masoncounty.lib.mi.us.

Faygo Book by Joe Grimm – Painted Turtle/Wayne State University Press 

Starting with little more than pots, pails, hoses, and a one-horse wagon, Ben and Perry Feigenson reformulated cake frosting recipes into carbonated beverage recipes and launched their business in the middle of the 1907 global financial meltdown.  Out of more than forty bottlers in Detroit’s “pop alley,” Faygo remains the last one standing.  The “Faygo Book” is the story of a pop, a people, and a place.  The “Faygo Book” is the social history of a company that has forged a bond with a city and its residents for more than a century. 

Joe Grimm wrote “The Faygo Book” after building up a tremendous thirst working on “Coney Detroit” with Katherine Yung.  A lifelong Detroit-area resident and 25-year veteran of the Detroit Free Press, Grimm is a Michigan State University journalism professor. His favorite Faygo flavor is Rock & Rye. 

Michigan Notable Books is designed to promote reading and raise awareness of Michigan’s literary heritage. The program annually selects 20 of the most outstanding books published in that year – titles that are reflective of Michigan’s diverse ethnic, historical, literary and cultural experience.

The 2019 Michigan Notable Books program is made possible through the support of the Library of Michigan, the Library of Michigan Foundation, Michigan Department of Education, the Michigan Humanities Council, Meijer, and the Michigan Center for the Book. Media Sponsors are Mittenlit.com, City Pulse, Queue Advertising and Tom Gennara Photography.

Mason County District Library programs are free.