The Midwest – where the corn grows tall, the winters last forever, and the people are as warm as a fresh-out-of-the-oven Tator-tot casserole. If you’ve ever lived in or visited this region, you know there’s something uniquely humorous about Midwestern life. Unspoken rules of “Midwest nice” to church potlucks and linguistic quirks. Folks from the American Heartland will charm and entertain you (often unintentionally.)
In this post, I’ll dive into some of the funniest books I’ve read that capture the heart, soul, and hilarity of Midwest living. One of them might include stories from a certain handsome Midwestern dad who talks about sports too much. (That’s me.) Here are 4 hilarious books with Midwestern Humor.
| Title | Author | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| The Midwest Survival Guide: How We Talk, Love, Work, Drink, and Eat… Everything with Ranch | Charlie Berens | Beren’s signature Wisconsin charm and antics are on full display in this hilarious how-to guide. (“Watch out for deer” = “I love you”.) |
| A Guide to Midwestern Conversation | Taylor Kay Phillips | A tongue-in-cheek guide to navigating the subtle, charming nuances of Midwestern communication. |
| Home to Harmony | Philip Gulley | This heartwarming book (1 of 8 in series) is set in the fictional town of Harmony, Indiana. It captures small-town Midwestern life with gentle humor and a deep sense of community. |
| Essays Out of Left Field: Life Lessons from a Midwestern Dad Who Talks About Sports Too Much | Scott Johnson | Johnson delivers squeaky-clean, self-reflective Midwestern humor, blending dry wit, warmth, and a touch of inspiration. A great pick for fans of relatable essays that balance humor and insight. And he runs this blog. |
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1. The Midwest Survival Guide: How We Talk, Love, Work, Drink, and Eat… Everything with Ranch – Charlie Berens
- Author: Charlie Berens
- Release Date: November 16, 2021
- Genre: Nonfiction, Humor, Regional Culture
- Learn More About the Author: Charlie Berens – Comedian
The Midwest Survival Guide Overview:
This book is a hilarious deep dive into the quirks, customs, and charm of Midwestern life, written by comedian Charlie Berens. Berens is known for his viral “Manitowoc Minute” videos. He is an absolute Midwest YouTube superstar.
- Themes:
- Midwestern dialect and slang
- Unique cultural habits (like saying “ope” and loving casseroles)
- Seasonal survival tips (hello, blizzards!)
- Humorous reflections on work ethic, family gatherings, and ranch dressing
- Why It’s a Noteworthy Book with Midwestern Humor:
- Full of gut-bustin’ anecdotes and insider jokes for Midwesterners (and outsiders wanting to poke fun about the Midwest).
- Includes lots of illustrations and charts that make it both informative and entertaining.
- Perfect for fans of regional humor and walleye.
2. A Guide to Midwest Conversation – Taylor Kay Phillips
- Author: Taylor Kay Phillips
- Release Date: July 11, 2023
- Genre: Nonfiction, Humor, Regional Culture
- Learn More About the Author: Taylor Kay Phillips
A Guide to Midwestern Conversation Overview:
This book is a witty exploration of the quirks and hidden meanings of Midwestern speech patterns. Taylor Kay Phillips brings humorous insight to the polite-but-sometimes-passive-aggressive Midwestern communication.
- Themes
- Midwestern manners, including the art of polite avoidance
- Classic conversational quirks (e.g., the infamous “Midwestern Goodbye”)
- Cultural habits like downplaying accomplishments and mastering nonverbal cues
- Decoding what Midwesterners really mean when they say things like “Oh, you didn’t have to do that!”
- Why It’s a Noteworthy Book with Midwestern Humor:
- Offers an affectionate peek into uniquely Midwestern communication.
- Ideal for Midwesterners looking to laugh at themselves or outsiders hoping to understand them better (and also laugh at them.)
3. Home to Harmony – Philip Gulley
- Author: Philip Gulley
- Release Date: May 8, 2001
- Genre: Fiction, Humor, Small-Town Life
- Learn More About the Author: PlainSpeech with Philip Gulley | The Gospel. Revisited.
Home to Harmony Overview:
Home to Harmony is the first in a series (1 of 8) of heartwarming and humorous novels set in the fictional town of Harmony, Indiana. (Gulley has 7 more funny Midwestern life books!) Narrated by Sam Gardner, a Quaker pastor who returns to his hometown, the book paints a vivid picture of small-town church life with all its charm and loveably annoying characters.
- Themes
- The humor and heartache of small-town relationships
- Gentle reflections on faith, community, and human nature
- Nostalgia for a simpler way of life
- A mix of hilarious misunderstandings and heartfelt moments
- Why It’s a Noteworthy Book with Midwestern Humor:
- Philip Gulley’s writing is warm, witty, and brimming with Midwest charm.
- Perfect for readers who enjoy clean, wholesome, character-driven stories with a blend of humor and heart.
4. Essays Out of Left Field: Life Lessons from a Midwestern Dad Who Talks About Sports Too Much – Scott Johnson
- Author: Scott Johnson
- Release Date: December 2023
- Genre: Nonfiction, Humor, Essays, Midwestern Life
- Learn More About the Author: You’re already on my blog. Just click around.
Essays Out of Left Field Overview:
This collection of essays blends Midwestern humor with heartfelt reflections on life, family, and, of course, sports. Drawing on the wisdom of a dad who often explains his thoughts on life through sports metaphors. This book serves up relatable life lesson essays with a heavy dose of silliness.
- Themes
- The intersection of sports, family, faith and life’s big questions
- Warm reflections of growing up as a South Dakota farm kid
- The quirks and joys of fatherhood
- Finding meaning in the ordinary
- Why It’s a Noteworthy Book with Midwestern Humor:
- Offers a unique voice combining humor, relatability, and heartfelt insight.
- Perfect for readers who love humor essays or anyone with a dad (or knows a dad) obsessed with sports.
- Appeals to fans of personal storytelling and those seeking both laughs and meaningful takeaways.
- Also appeals to all of humanity that knows how to read.
Conclusion: Funny Books About Midwest Life
These books dive headfirst into the quirks of Midwest life — because apparently, there’s a lot of funny to find buried deep in the cornfields and casseroles. From small-town antics to the world-class art of Midwest nice (spoiler: it’s mostly avoidance), these reads serve up humor with a delicious side of ranch. Whether you’ve lived here forever or are just trying to figure out why anyone would willingly stay in a place where the air hurts your face, these books with Midwestern humor will have you laughing and thinking, “Yep, that tracks”.
Did I miss any funny books about the Midwest? Let me know in the comments. I’d love to read and to add to this list!
Scott Johnson is a Midwestern humorist, author of Essays Out of Left Field, and the mind behind scottjohnsonauthor.com. He’s also a husband, dad of three, and Data Systems Administrator (whatever that is). Scott is on a mission to find and read all the funny books. He shares his thoughts on those books, author life, and other delightful randomness with his readers on his website.
