Corn-Fed: Cul-de-sacs, Keg Stands, and Coming of Age in the Midwest

by Melanie LaForce

“Corn-Fed” is a nostalgic romp through growing up in the Midwest. Poignant, humorous, and honest, “Corn-Fed” will take you from childhood overnight camp, to a first job at Dairy Queen, to the ultimate culmination of rich and debaucherous adult friendships. “Corn-Fed” follows LaForce’s growth, struggles, and exhilaration with communities of women over the course of life. Most importantly, this book contains critical references to boobs and butter.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

329 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 17, 2018

About the author

Melanie LaForce was born in Painesville Ohio and has lived in Chicago, Illinois for 18 years. She is a 10-year senior research scientist at the University of Chicago, and also serves as adjunct faculty at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. Melanie holds a PhD in Social Psychology from Loyola University Chicago, and a BA from Ohio University. She is a retired skater and current trainer for The Windy City Rollers, and occasionally performs improv comedy at The Second City. Her hobbies include butter and flirting.

Reviews

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 A fun romp highlighting growing up in the Midwest, a book I could identify with. Though the author grew up in Ohio, myself in Illinois, it was easy to relate some of her experiences with mine. Overnight camps, boys, always boys, first crush, first job, keg parties. This is the kind of book that causes one to remember their own stories, drag them out and rehash past times. Roller derby, she was actually on a roller derby team, and has some amusing antidotes to relate to that.

Humorous, sometimes self deprecating, sometimes ironic send sometimes raunchy. Serious though at times, as is life, relationships, self doubts, health problems etc. But a very varied life. Always rnjoy reading how done got to where they are now, what took them from there to here. Also liked that pictures were included here and there, when reading this type of personal memoir I like being able to picture a face to go with the story.

A honest, sometimes raw, sometimes humorous look at the curious art of growing up and out.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not the worst book ever published.
-The Author

[Dave Abbott · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a charming, honest, and blunt look at growing up in the Midwest!

Reading this, you'll be transported into the mind of a genius with test anxiety, a boy crazy girl with social awkwardness, and finally a young woman who learns to be comfortable in her own skin.

With the backdrop of the Rust Belt and middle class America, it resonates with anyone who grew up in the "flyover" part of the country.

You will laugh. You will tear up. You will cringe. You will tell your friends about it.

[Hollie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious and highly relatable. 10/10 would read again.

[Kit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book resonates hard with you even if you aren't lucky enough to hail from the Midwest because it's honest, more honest than I give anyone else I can think of credit for. It's funny, it's deep, it's light, it's cringe-worthy, it's charming. Must-read!

[Shannon McCormack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Funny memoir about a misfit "Nerd" growing up in the midwest in the 80-90-2000 that feels a bit like my childhood experiences and anxiety about school and relationships. Definitely for anyone raised in the Midwest who needs a "I was there with you!" story and for any from-the-coast raised person to understand the unusual manners of Midwesterners. Great for a Beach read! I would recommend this to anyone!

[Breanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious and relatable!

[Danielle David Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A MUST read! It’s like Melanie and I shared the same adolescence!

This book is a hilariously honest look at growing up as a girl in the Midwest. Every chapter was relatable, brutally honest, and often so funny. There are tender moment and crazy moments, just like all our lives. Melanie’s gift for wit and down-to-earth writing style makes this one of the best books I have read in years! Buy this for you, your friends, the men in your life, and your daughters! Thanks, Melanie, for sharing your life (thus far) with us! I’m hoping for a sequel about your next decade of life! - Danielle, who grew up in Lakewood, OH, just west of the Cleve!

[Tankboy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection works both as a single narrative and a collection of essays, which is to say no matter what your attention span, you’ll enjoy digging in. LaForce’s stories are intensely personal while managing to have takeaways everyone can enjoy, even when she’s detailing situations that are internally harrowing and externally hilarious. And LaForce’s narrative voice is a zippy delight that keeps you entertained while sneaking in emotional learning moments, a few quick sociology lessons, and lots of talk of dog butts.

[Dave Abbott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious, poignant, and heartfelt. This book takes you through the young life of a girl growing up in the Midwest. A charming and entertaining read!

[Janice Dimock · Rating 2 out of 5]

Based on the title and cover, I expected this to be a laugh out loud memoir. I was disappointed that it was not as funny as expected. In addition, I feel it was a more series of vignettes than a true memoir. It got better as it went on, but there was some missed potential to put together a story around a theme.
There were also a few things I just couldn't get past. The worst was lamenting that she wasn't invited to the 'date rapiest' parties in college. Yes, that's a direct quote from a woman with a PhD in Social Psychology who clearly thought it was funny. Disappointing.
Still, there are some good stories along the way. Not enough for a 'meets expectations', partially meets for this one.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flipping hysterical! If you are a child of the 80s/90s you will love this book. I didn't grow up in the Midwest, but could still wholly relate. I laughed so hard at her (mis)adventures, related to her personal struggles, and really just loved her writing. Lighthearted, fun, and it will conjure your own memories of similar experiences. Highly recommend! Especially if you need something a little lighthearted.

[Gabrielle Jarrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melanie Force is very very funny. Her exposure of the Midwest, especially Cleveland and Chicago, is entertaining and revealing. (especially to those states east of Ohio, who would particularly enjoy the stereotypes they so often mock) Corn-Fed is also a memoir of Melanie's teen and young adult years. Her humor is laugh-out-loud. She is and will be even more successful as a comedian, screen and tv writer, and a social psychologist. Interestingly, she moved to LA after Chicago. A good read!

[Kristen Schmidt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very funny and touching

This book came up on my Goodreads recommended list, and I was pleasantly surprised to learn I went to college with the author. Melanie's writing style and quick witted nature made this a very quick read. Great work.

[ElisabethMonte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny & relatable vignettes for those that grew up in the Midwest - and an even better explainer for those that didn’t.

Because of the books reliance more on vignettes, the book didn’t pull me through. Easy read for the CTA.

[April Fox · Rating 2 out of 5]

This had me laughing out loud through the first half of the book. So funny and I related to so much as someone who grew up in the Midwest! But after the college years, she sort of lost me. Also didn’t love the annotations, they were distracting and not necessary.

[Meg Manning · Rating 1 out of 5]

Although I grew up in the Midwest, I found little to relate to here. I guess I’m just too old to be part of the target audience.