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| photo: Alyssa Essman | |
Gretchen Whitmer, the governor of Michigan, is a national voice on the rights of women, voters, and the LGBTQ+ community and known for her bold and plainspoken style. She rose to national prominence for her leadership in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic; later that year, a domestic terrorist cell began planning to kidnap and kill her, a plot that was foiled by the FBI and state police. Whitmer is a lifelong Michigander who first ran for office at age 29, has served in both state houses, and has never lost an election. She is the proud mother of two daughters, a huge Detroit Lions fan, and the subject of the song "Big Gretch" by rapper GMac Cash. The young adult edition of True Gretch is available now from Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Handsell readers your book in 25 words or less:
A handbook for how to deal with absolutely everything--from bullies to screw-ups--and how to find humor in tough times.
On your nightstand now:
Water, an industrial-strength white-noise machine, and at least three pairs of reading glasses. Oh wait--you mean books! All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker and On Freedom by Timothy D. Snyder.
Favorite book when you were a child:
Anything by Shel Silverstein. My mom used to quote his poem "Sick" to my siblings and me whenever we described dubious symptoms, usually on days she knew we had a test: " 'I cannot go to school today,' said little Peggy Ann McKay. 'I have the measles and the mumps, a gash, a rash and purple bumps.' " It was how she (rightfully) called BS.
Favorite books to read to a child:
Skippyjon Jones by Judith Byron Schachner; The BFG by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake; The Big Box by Toni Morrison with Slade Morrison, illustrated by Giselle Potter; and Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth. There is so much wisdom in children's literature--some of the lessons in these books still serve me well today.
Your top five authors:
Shel Silverstein, George Orwell, Judy Blume, Amanda Gorman, and Lisa Dickey.
Book you've faked reading:
Inferno by Dante Alighieri, though there are days when some might suggest that one of its most familiar quotes--"Abandon all hope, ye who enter here"--should be painted above the entrance to a legislative chamber. Also, Macbeth, which I regret now because references to that Shakespearean tragedy are everywhere.
Book you're an evangelist for:
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. My decision to go to law school was partly influenced by Atticus Finch. I also really connected with how the kids created a neighborhood villain purely because stories are always more exciting with a villain. And it's even more interesting when the fake villain becomes a real hero.
Book you've bought for the cover:
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. Beautiful cover and an even better book.
Book you hid from your parents:
Anything by Jackie Collins or V.C. Andrews.
Book that changed your life:
The Martha Stewart Cookbook by Martha Stewart. I know it's unconventional to say a cookbook changed my life, but when I first lived on my own, I didn't really know how to cook, as I never really did it growing up. Successfully learning how to do something useful from a book--not a textbook and not in school--opened a door for me.
Favorite line from a book:
"They eat and eat but they're never full. With this book, I wanted to pit a man freed from all responsibilities but his appetites against women whose lives are shaped by their endless responsibilities. I wanted to pit Dracula against my mom. As you'll see, it's not a fair fight." --Author's Note, The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix.
A fun, slightly unhinged book that celebrates the quiet strength, resilience, and badassery of women and mothers.
Five books you'll never part with:
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
On Tyranny by Timothy D. Snyder
Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh
Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Call Them by Their True Names by Rebecca Solnit
Book you most want to read again for the first time:
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. That's the thing about thrillers--you can only be thrilled once.