READ ACROSS THE CLE Ten new, essential

BOOKS

Read the CLE

From murder mysteries to timeless romances, these 10 books are a must-add for your “to be read” pile.

CLEVELAND DOES A LOT OF THINGS WELL. The comedy scene is on the come up, the food is irresistible and the sports teams always leave us on the edge of our seat. Something else we do well? Write. The region hosts great authors across an array of eclectic genres. This year was a home run for native Cleveland writers, with groundbreaking work from Celeste Ng, classic romances and a reflection of the highs and lows of being a Cleveland sports fan. Here are 10 local or local-inspired must-reads from 2022.

HONOR BY THRITY UMRIGAR

Case Western Reserve University’s Thrity Umrigar has made massive marks in the literary world. Her new novel is no different, telling a powerful story of love and connection centered in a world of divisive cultural issues. For more Thirty Umrigar, see The Secrets Between Us and Everybody’s Son.

A KILLER SUNDAE BY ABBY COLLETTE

Chagrin Falls is noted for its smalltown charm, fancy homes and idyllic waterfalls. The thing we never pictured it as: the backdrop to a mysterious murder series. Follow Bronwyn Crewse, owner of the fictitious Crewse Creamery, through the third installment in the Ice Cream Parlor mystery series. The inside scoop on this one? Bronwyn is being framed for the murder. For more Abby Collette, check out her Books & Biscuits mystery series following long-lost siblings in the Pacific Northwest.

LADY GAGA: APPLAUSE BY ANNIE ZALESKI

Music journalist and Clevelander Annie Zaleski is walking on air upon the release of her newest book, detailing the life and career of one of music’s most adored talents as well as showing off hundreds of pictures capturing her aesthetic and iconic fashion.

“I got approached by [Palazzo Editions] to write the book," she says. "I’ve been a longtime Lady Gaga fan and so it was an absolute yes."

Be on the lookout for Zaleski’s next release of a similar book, detailing the life and career of pop star, P!nk. She has also contributed to Cleveland Magazine.

HELLO CLEVELAND BY NICK PERRY

Think you know everything about Cleveland? Think again. Even savants of The Land can learn something new about their hometown in this book uncovering the culture, history, lore and local celebrities in what Nick Perry dubs “The Most Unique City in the World.” Topping it off are drawings from illustrator Jason Look to help paint a picture of Cleveland in all its glory.

THE MORE YOU GIVE BY MARCY CAMPBELL

A Northeast Ohioan who has loved books since she could read them, Marcy Campbell now writes for kids just like her, teaching them life lessons accompa-

nied by striking artwork.

In The More You Give, Campbell explores themes of giving, generosity and family in a warm, picturesque format that teaches kids attributes of life from a young age.

OUR MISSING HEARTS BY CELESTE NG

The Shaker Heights native is back with her latest release that hit the shelves in October, but this time, she is focusing the lens on society at large.

Her newest novel explores a distorted version of our world, but it might not be as different as we think. Follow Bird Gardner’s adventure to find his mother and unlock the answers to the dystopian society he inhabits. Don’t forget, Ng’s 2017 smash novel, Little Fires Everywhere.

DREAM ON BY ANGIE HOCKMAN

Cass Walker is ready to take the Cleveland law world by storm. That is, until she finds herself in a life-changing accident that conjures up images of Devin, a man she swears she’s been dating for months even though no one can find a trace of him. When she runs into him at a bar in Ohio City, she knows she is no longer dreaming.

“I wanted to show Cleveland some love,” says Hockman. “Cass is somebody who has been through a lot, but you can’t keep her down, and I feel like that’s Cleveland.” Also check out Shipped, Hockman’s debut novel.

ELEUTHERIA BY ALLEGRA HYDE

Allegra Hyde's debut novel is described by a fellow writer as “darkly funny and far seeing."

In the novel, follow Willa Marks, a woman full of love for the earth, as she embarks on a journey in the hopes of turning the tides on climate change.

STEALTH HAMMER #2 BY RYAN DROST

Calling all comic fans. Fall into a whole new world unlike our own in the second installment of Stealth Hammer, a superhero story coming from the Strongsville author Ryan Drost.

With bright colors, detailed animations and a storyline packed with adventure, readers will fly through this read as soon as they add it to their shelves.

WEIRD MOMENTS IN CLEVELAND SPORTS BY VINCE GUERRIERI

In his second nonfiction sports book, Guerrieri humorously details moments like bottlegate and 10-cent beer night.

“This was my pandemic project. I had spare time and no sports to watch,” Guerrieri says. He has also contributed to Cleveland Magazine. Mac’s Backs Books on Coventry Celebrates 40 Years

In 1982, Coventry Road changed forever when Suzanne DeGaetano moved her bookshop from Kent State to this iconic Cleveland Heights street. The original location on Coventry was housed above the Dobama Theater, then down the street toward Mayfield Road before settling in the shared storefront with Tommy’s that customers know and love.

Since then, local authors' book signings and long-running poetry readings have brought in customers while fostering Cleveland’s writing community.

“I have seen our local author community grow and expand, and it’s been wonderful to see that,” says DeGaetano.

Foundational to the history of Mac’s Backs are the weekly poetry readings, which have taken place since 1984. This contributed even more to what DeGaetano calls a “robust poetry community.”

With local authors on the rise and aspiring poets flooding in along with a host of customers ready to explore three floors of sci-fi, fantasy, romance and non-fiction, nothing could touch this local book lover’s hot spot.

Enter, March 2020.

While many businesses folded under the pandemic pressure or struggled to get back up, Mac’s Backs saw an outpouring of support from its online sales.

“I will never forget those people,” says DeGaetano. In the wake of the pandemic, online orders continue to flow in, but the doors are open again, bringing in poets and readers of all ages. It does, 40 years later, still feel like the store is in its heyday and will remain a staple for years to come.

WEST SIDE MARKET

Sea Change

Following years of political inattention, vendors of the historic Ohio City market appreciate the prospect of future nonprofit leadership.

IN THE EIGHT YEARS THAT NATALIE PUTS has been managing Sebastian’s Meats, she’s grown increasingly weary to promises of positive change at the West Side Market. Since Sebastian’s first occupied its liverwurst-laced stall in Market Hall in 1995, Puts felt the care was lacking. Backed up basement sinks often flooded shop floors. Exposed, prewar brick was difficult to clean. In the 2010s, neighboring vendors — like Annemarie’s Dairy and Vince’s Meats — left due to, Puts says, unfulfilled political promises.

But now, Puts is witnessing a sea change. In February, after the Bibb Administration received an updated West Side Market Revitalization Plan, a study completed by outside consultants, an overdue $12 million makeover clicked on. In the summer, stainless steel replaced the outdated brick. Floors were redone. Dirtied stalls in the produce arcade were powerwashed.

“We all hate empty promises,” says Puts, as she prepares a tray of Bacon Bombs — stuffed pepperoncini — for the Market’s 110th anniversary in November.

“When [Mayor Justin Bibb] came and told us, ‘Hey, our renovations are beginning X day,' we were like, 'OK, we’ll see what happens,'" Puts says. “And it actually happened.”

In late March, matching the study’s recommendations, City Hall announced plans to hand over the Market to a nonprofit operator. In June, Bibb hired Market Ventures, a Maine-based firm responsible for the lauded revitalizations of New York’s Essex and Cincinnati’s Findlay Markets. The firm‘s vision has crystallized in a variety of 21st-century gems: European-style retail plazas, East Asian cooking demos, food hall-style seating.

The eventual transition, scheduled to finish up by the end of 2024, will, according to a release, “[insulate] the Market from political changes” and execute “innovations in technology, programming and partnerships.” In a recent survey of 450 customers and all 100 vendors, however, the top request was a little more clear: “Improve diversity among food stands.”

One key question still remains among vendors, even as they rebuild trust with local government. To what extent, many ask, should the market lean toward residents? And to what degree, tourism?

“If it was up to me, I would figure out a way to make this a better food market,” says Tom Boutros, who has run his family’s Boutros Brothers Produce with his brother Joe since 2003. “Every customer will tell you, 'Don’t change nothing. I like it the way it is. I want more food.'”

But Boutros, who once spearheaded the 21-person advisory board, runs into his own self-doubt. Around 2012, after nine years of working full-time, Boutros noticed a graduSebastian Meats al dip in regulars manager Natalie Puts is from nearby Ohio happy to see renewed City and Tremattention paid to the ont. Then, midWest Side Market. decade, he saw new vendors unable to compete with veterans leaving after two years. He felt the city-owned arm of Mayor Frank Jackson’s administration failed to help.

Over the former mayor’s 16 years, “I saw him maybe once or twice,” he says. “[Bibb] comes in way more than the other guy, so I’ll take it.”

Zach Niford, who helped open White Flower Cake Shoppe in July, notices a greater cultural tilt toward openness. He sees the redone electrical and sink casings as a precursor to more event-based fun — like, say, a macaron decorating how-to.

“There’s definitely an old guard that’s had their way,” he says, perched above a rainbow-hued row of cupcakes. “We’re excited for new things.”

And so are market tourists, especially regulars with a critical eye.

“Usually [at other markets], there’s a place to sit,” says Angela Brintlinger, a professor living in Yellow Springs, eating cannoli from Euro Sweets. “What about local art? T-shirts?”

“Music! Not too loud, though,” says her friend Nikola Jovic, a pollster from Serbia. “With a few tables. Some charities.”

“And wine—some jazz?” Brintlinger says. She takes a bite, then adds, “Sometimes you have to give people something they don’t know they want.”