The Upper Peninsula Publishers & Authors Association (UPPAA) created the 1st Annual U.P. Notable Books List in April 2020.  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.”

Each of the 10 titles in the U.P. Notable Book List are strictly unranked.