Reviewed by Leslie Anne Smith for Reader Views (02/2025)
5*- A cozy, nostalgic collection of stories about the Upper Peninsula
I lead a simple life. I rake and I row, and, when the weather’s bad, I read and I write.-
pg. 27
“Summers at the Lake: Upper Michigan Moments and Memories” is a collection of reflective essays focused on summer life and growing up in the Upper Peninsula. Jon C. Stott delivers colorful and often humorous insights and stories about his childhood and young life at his family’s summer home in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan.
Through these stories and chapters, the reader can explore the history and natural beauty of the area, witnessing sunsets, bird migrations, and road trips throughout the years. The book is divided into eight chapters with subheadings, allowing the reader to slip in and read different themed vignettes with full-color pictures alongside the experience.
Stott has an accessible voice in his writing, blending his sense of humor with beautiful descriptions of the UP. He has a fantastic ability to pull his readers into the scene he’s creating and make it feel larger than life. Each essay feels like a conversation with someone, and the decision to include older articles from his father was a wonderful choice as well. Being able to see the ways that the area developed and see the perspectives of generations was a great way to show the enduring interest in this region. I thoroughly enjoyed the vignette Paper Boy and the chapter Avian Encounters. I think Stott’s humor and lyricism really shine in these sections, showcasing his skill as a writer.
Stott presents these slices of life with atmospheric descriptions, remaining informative without overpowering the reader with information. I thought it was a nice touch to include the traditional names of Native Tribes in the UP area first as well. The thorough nature of his memory and research is quite apparent throughout this work. Readers of travelogues and happy memoirs will find lots to love about this collection. I highly recommend “Summers at the Lake: Upper Michigan Moments and Memories” by Jon C. Stott.
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Summers at the Lake
Jon C. Stott
Modern History Press (2022)
ISBN: 978-1615996698
