In case you didn’t know, Hoopla is headquartered in Holland, Ohio—just outside of Toledo. This means the annual rivalry game between the University of Michigan and The Ohio State University is essentially a holiday around these parts. So, to observe this unofficial holiday, we’ve got audiobook, eBook, and music titles that celebrate what makes each state great.
Listen to Audiobooks About Ohio
Fans of the Buckeye State, this one’s for you! Some of the audiobooks available on Hoopla that celebrate the heart of it all include:
Neil Armstrong: The Life and Legacy of the First Astronaut to Walk on the Moon
As the birthplace of aviation, it’s only right we include at least one title that honors Ohio’s accomplishments in aerospace. Neil Armstrong: The Life and Legacy of the First Astronaut to Walk on the Moon provides a detailed look at how the Wapakoneta, Ohio, native went from rural roots all the way into orbit, becoming the first man to set foot on the moon.
Winesburg, Ohio
Winesburg, Ohio is the most famous work from one of the great classic American writers of the 20th century: Camden, Ohio, native Sherwood Anderson. Anderson rose to fame thanks in part to this collection of short stories about small-town life in the American Midwest in the late 1800s.
John D. Rockefeller: The Wealthiest Man in American History
Did you know that one of the wealthiest men who ever lived built his fortune and spent most of his adult life in Northeast Ohio? John D. Rockefeller: The Wealthiest Man in American History offers all kinds of insights into the life of the nation’s first oil tycoon.
Audiobooks About Michigan
If you’re a fan and supporter of all things Michigan, we’ve got you covered with these audiobooks:
The Dark Story of Eminem
For a lot of people, it’s nearly impossible to think about the state of Michigan without thinking about Eminem (or the Real Slim Shady for the day-one fans). The Dark Story of Eminem spills the little-known details surrounding many of the public controversies throughout his career.
The Trial of the Edmund Fitzgerald
Each November, the story of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald makes the rounds on social media. The sinking of that ship, which was constructed in Michigan and en route to a Detroit steel mill when it sank, is an integral part of Michigan and Great Lakes lore that The Trial of Edmund Fitzgerald dives into deep detail on.
Tom Brady: A Biography of an NFL Superstar
We’d be remiss to dismiss an audiobook about one of the most famous Michigan Wolverines of all time from our list! Tom Brady: A Biography of an NFL Superstar takes readers on a journey from his northern California upbringings through the seven Super Bowl rings he won after leaving the U of M.
eBooks Celebrating Ohio
There’s also a slew of eBooks that celebrate and take place in the great state of Ohio, including:
Finding Fish by Antoine Fisher
Finding Fish is a memoir from Cleveland native Antoine Fisher, who made his way from the city’s foster system all the way to the silver screen. Fisher’s screenplay based on this memoir served as the inspiration for a 2002 film starring Denzel Washington.
Always Cedar Point by H. John Hildenbrandt
If there’s anything that both Ohio State and Michigan fans can agree on, it’s the awesomeness that is Cedar Point. And Always Cedar Point by H. John Hildenbrandt, which provides readers with an inside-look at the operations of the amusement park, is a fantastic read for the winter months when we’re all dreaming of riding our favorite coasters again.
eBooks Celebrating Michigan
Some eBooks that celebrate Michigan’s rich heritage and history include:
My Life and Work by Henry Ford
It’s hard, if not impossible, to envision what the country, or even the world, would look like without the innovation of Michigan’s own Henry Ford. In My Life and My Work, readers learn about the Ford Motor Company’s origin, along with Ford’s opinions on business, mass production, and more.
To Be Loved by Berry Gordy
The music recorded by Motown ranks highly among exports from the state of Michigan. And To Be Loved by Berry Gordy serves as his personal account of his music career, from the $800 loan he secured to start the famous label to the personal and professional challenges he overcame to make his mark on pop culture.
Albums from Ohio Musicians
Both Ohio and Michigan share a strong musical heritage. Some albums from famous musicians from the Buckeye State worth streaming include:
Breach by Twenty One Pilots
Breach, the latest album from Buckeye fans and Columbus natives Twenty One Pilots, puts a bow on the conceptual series featuring albums Blurryface, Trench, and Scaled. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, making it the best debut for any rock album on the charts since 2019.
The Singles by the Pretenders
Although most people attribute the Pretenders to Great Britain, their lead singer Chrissy Hynde hails from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, near Akron. And their compilation album The Singles features their most iconic songs all in one place.
No Rain, No Flowers by the Black Keys
No Rain, No Flowers is the 13th studio album from the Akron-based duo the Black Keys. “The Night Before” reached the top of Billboard’s alternative airplay charts, a well-earned accomplishment from the band as they charge toward 20 years in the mainstream radio rock scene.
Albums from Michigan Musicians
Michigan’s musical contributions are undeniable. A taste of the tunes recorded by Michigan natives available on Hoopla include:
The Definitive Collection by Stevie Wonder
The Definitive Collection contains some of your favorite songs from the iconic master of the craft. From “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)” to “Superstition,” this contains all of Stevie Wonder’s most iconic hits.
30 Greatest Hits by Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin has one of the most recognizable voices of all time. And by listening to 30 Greatest Hits, you can rediscover hit records like “(You Make Me Feel Like) a Natural Woman,” “I Say a Little Prayer,” and of course “Respect.” (Did you spell it out to the tune of the song like we did?)
Live at the Legion by Billy Strings
Grammy Award-winning musician Billy Strings is keeping the tradition of bluegrass music alive with his latest release, Live at the Legion. Streaming this live album allows listeners to experience the electric performance skills he’s become known for.
Who Came Out on Top in Hoopla’s Ohio State vs. Michigan Food Drive?
In partnership with the Islamic Food Bank of Toledo, we’ve been conducting a food drive in the office between OSU and UM fans.
Fans of the world-famous Ohio State Buckeyes emerged victorious, donating 350 lbs. of food while the University of Michigan fans in the office contributed 325 lbs. of food. By providing the food bank with over 600 pounds of food ahead of thanksgiving, we’re glad this regional rivalry helped provide meals for those in need during the holidays.
Share Your Predictions with Us on Social Media
Although the annual game between Ohio State and Michigan is a heated rivalry, Hoopla loves both the Mitten and the Buckeye State equally. Got a prediction for the big game? Share it with us on Facebook!
Here’s who Hoopla has coming out on top:
*Title availability may vary by library.
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