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Hunker: Brief Essays on Human Connection
Another in a series (including From the Top, Roughneck Grace, Million Billion, and Peaceful Persistence) of collected brief essays by New York Times bestselling author and humorist Michael Perry. "Although these pieces were written during times of unrest and pandemic, they drew on human connection," says Perry. "Week after week, slowly at first, and then regularly, I received messages, emails, comments, and sometimes even a handwritten note from readers who weren't looking to me for advice or a 'take' on the latest news blast or controversy or tragedy or variant. Instead they said they were grateful for a brief break from it all. Something to go with their morning coffee. Something to read before bed. Something heartfelt, something goofy. Something that was anything but that other thing. Something to lighten the hunker."
- GenresNonfiction
204 pages, Paperback
Published June 25, 2022
18 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Michael Perry
25 books607 followersMichael Perry is a New York Times bestselling author, humorist and radio show host from New Auburn, Wisconsin.
Perry’s bestselling memoirs include Population 485, Truck: A Love Story, Coop, and Visiting Tom. Raised on a small Midwestern dairy farm, Perry put himself through nursing school while working on a ranch in Wyoming, then wound up writing by happy accident. He lives with his wife and two daughters in rural Wisconsin, where he serves on the local volunteer fire and rescue service and is an amateur pig farmer. He hosts the nationally-syndicated “Tent Show Radio,” performs widely as a humorist, and tours with his band the Long Beds (currently recording their third album for Amble Down Records). He has recorded three live humor albums including Never Stand Behind A Sneezing Cow and The Clodhopper Monologues, is currently finishing his first young adult novel, and can be found online at www.sneezingcow.com.
Perry’s essays and nonfiction have appeared in numerous publications including The New York Times Magazine, Esquire, Backpacker, Outside, Runner’s World, Salon.com, and he is a contributing editor to Men’s Health magazine. His writing assignments have taken him to the top of Mt. Rainier with Iraq War veterans, into the same room as the frozen head of Ted Williams, across the United States with truckers and country music singers, and—once—buck naked into a spray-tan booth.
In the essay collection Off Main Street, Perry wrote of how his nursing education prepared him to become a writer by training him in human assessment, and he credits singer-songwriters like Steve Earle and John Prine with helping him understand that art need not wear fancy clothes. Above all, he gives credit to his parents, of whom he says, “Anything good is because of them, everything else is simply not their fault.” His mother taught him to read and filled the house with books; his father taught him how to clean calf pens, of which Perry has written, “a childhood spent slinging manure – the metaphorical basis for a writing career.”
Perry has recently been involved in several musical collaborations, including as lyricist for Grammy-nominated jazz pianist Geoffrey Keezer, and as co-writer (with Bon Iver frontman Justin Vernon) of the liner notes for the John Prine tribute album “Broken Hearts & Dirty Windows.” Perry also collaborated with Vernon and Flaming Lips lead singer Wayne Coyne on a project that began when Vernon approached Perry and said, “Say, you’re a nurse…” The results were bloody, but then that was the point.
Of all his experiences, Perry says the single most meaningful thing he has ever done is serving 12 years beside his neighbors on the New Auburn Area Fire Department.
Mike says:
If I had to sum up my ‘career’ in one word, it would be gratitude. I get to write and tell stories all around the country, then come home to be with my family and hang out at the local feed mill complaining about the price of feeder hogs. It’s a good life and I’m lucky to have it.
Perry’s bestselling memoirs include Population 485, Truck: A Love Story, Coop, and Visiting Tom. Raised on a small Midwestern dairy farm, Perry put himself through nursing school while working on a ranch in Wyoming, then wound up writing by happy accident. He lives with his wife and two daughters in rural Wisconsin, where he serves on the local volunteer fire and rescue service and is an amateur pig farmer. He hosts the nationally-syndicated “Tent Show Radio,” performs widely as a humorist, and tours with his band the Long Beds (currently recording their third album for Amble Down Records). He has recorded three live humor albums including Never Stand Behind A Sneezing Cow and The Clodhopper Monologues, is currently finishing his first young adult novel, and can be found online at www.sneezingcow.com.
Perry’s essays and nonfiction have appeared in numerous publications including The New York Times Magazine, Esquire, Backpacker, Outside, Runner’s World, Salon.com, and he is a contributing editor to Men’s Health magazine. His writing assignments have taken him to the top of Mt. Rainier with Iraq War veterans, into the same room as the frozen head of Ted Williams, across the United States with truckers and country music singers, and—once—buck naked into a spray-tan booth.
In the essay collection Off Main Street, Perry wrote of how his nursing education prepared him to become a writer by training him in human assessment, and he credits singer-songwriters like Steve Earle and John Prine with helping him understand that art need not wear fancy clothes. Above all, he gives credit to his parents, of whom he says, “Anything good is because of them, everything else is simply not their fault.” His mother taught him to read and filled the house with books; his father taught him how to clean calf pens, of which Perry has written, “a childhood spent slinging manure – the metaphorical basis for a writing career.”
Perry has recently been involved in several musical collaborations, including as lyricist for Grammy-nominated jazz pianist Geoffrey Keezer, and as co-writer (with Bon Iver frontman Justin Vernon) of the liner notes for the John Prine tribute album “Broken Hearts & Dirty Windows.” Perry also collaborated with Vernon and Flaming Lips lead singer Wayne Coyne on a project that began when Vernon approached Perry and said, “Say, you’re a nurse…” The results were bloody, but then that was the point.
Of all his experiences, Perry says the single most meaningful thing he has ever done is serving 12 years beside his neighbors on the New Auburn Area Fire Department.
Mike says:
If I had to sum up my ‘career’ in one word, it would be gratitude. I get to write and tell stories all around the country, then come home to be with my family and hang out at the local feed mill complaining about the price of feeder hogs. It’s a good life and I’m lucky to have it.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 28, 2024
This was a good book to listen to as I made a 5 hour drive. I have read at least a couple books by the author, but it was quite awhile ago so it was good to hear his voice as he read essays that had been written during the COVID pandemic while he, his wife and his daughters were "hunkering down" in their COVID pod at their home in northwestern Wisconsin. Having spent 25 years on a farm, some of the scenes he writes about reminded me of daily life on a working farm, sometimes boring, often challenging, and almost always providing a sense of satisfaction after completing tasks that were physically hard. Perry has a way of putting things into a proper perspective, usually with good dose of humor, hindsight and wisdom.
December 30, 2024
This was a very cozy accumulation of many very short essays that the author published weekly in his local newspaper, throughout the pandemic. He's a farmer living in Wisconsin, so there were a lot of comforting "down home" Midwestern snippets, and great appreciations for the small things and joys of nature.
This was one of those what's-it-gonna-be books I bought at a local indie store that was wrapped in brown paper and I was very pleasantly surprised! Not every one of the essays were bangers, but he was poetic enough to tug at my lil Midwestern heart overall. Also have I been convinced to buy some chickens and a truck?
This was one of those what's-it-gonna-be books I bought at a local indie store that was wrapped in brown paper and I was very pleasantly surprised! Not every one of the essays were bangers, but he was poetic enough to tug at my lil Midwestern heart overall. Also have I been convinced to buy some chickens and a truck?
March 16, 2023
Another excellent collection of essays by a wonderful writer. I appreciate Michael's insights, humor, and eternal optimism.
Read
June 11, 202449: Hunker: Brief Essays on Human Connection by Michael Perry
Full disclosure: I listened, rather than read, but the audiobook isn't a Goodreads edition option. And what's critical to understand about that is how valuable it is that Perry narrates the audiobook, himself.
I've been reading Michael Perry for years and years...and listening to him every chance I get (such as many a Saturday evening from Big Top Chautauqua, as broadcast on Wisconsin Public Radio. I've been privileged to introduce him to at least one audience over the years and have enjoyed conversation with him--albeit brief, and me just another reader--here and there.
But he is one of the smartest and most down-to-earth authors I know and one of the very best writers I know, as well. If you're not at all familiar with him, the best start, I think, is still his now old Population 485, which provides the best and most detailed story of how he got here (successful, practical, consistent and consistently growing writer) from there (growing up in rural Wisconsin and becoming a nurse and EMT and more).
Hunker might be my new Perry favorite for its relevance to these past few years (including the pandemic times) and for its steadiness with a word we've long used and which I find beloved: hunker.
Full disclosure: I listened, rather than read, but the audiobook isn't a Goodreads edition option. And what's critical to understand about that is how valuable it is that Perry narrates the audiobook, himself.
I've been reading Michael Perry for years and years...and listening to him every chance I get (such as many a Saturday evening from Big Top Chautauqua, as broadcast on Wisconsin Public Radio. I've been privileged to introduce him to at least one audience over the years and have enjoyed conversation with him--albeit brief, and me just another reader--here and there.
But he is one of the smartest and most down-to-earth authors I know and one of the very best writers I know, as well. If you're not at all familiar with him, the best start, I think, is still his now old Population 485, which provides the best and most detailed story of how he got here (successful, practical, consistent and consistently growing writer) from there (growing up in rural Wisconsin and becoming a nurse and EMT and more).
Hunker might be my new Perry favorite for its relevance to these past few years (including the pandemic times) and for its steadiness with a word we've long used and which I find beloved: hunker.
May 31, 2024
Hunker: Textbook Michael Perry.
I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting face-to-face with MP a few months ago, and as I was the last in his book-signing line, in his customary tangential way, he devoted a robust 8 or so minutes with me. He often times professes to be "most comfortable in a small room occupied by himself," which I find hard to believe, as I've consistently found him to be darn-right "chatty" both in a room filled with MANY, as well as in singular encounters. My observation has been that even after presenting, amusing, improving and reading excerpts from his books to an audience for a solid hour, he still takes the time to enthusiastically and gratefully chat with each and EVERY one of his readers as they patiently wait for his Sharpie'd autograph to grace their book(s) of choice.
Give author Michael Perry a try. He's all Wisconsin, all of the time. Authentic, candid, hard-working, and as introverted as he is hilariously extroverted.
5 Stars
I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting face-to-face with MP a few months ago, and as I was the last in his book-signing line, in his customary tangential way, he devoted a robust 8 or so minutes with me. He often times professes to be "most comfortable in a small room occupied by himself," which I find hard to believe, as I've consistently found him to be darn-right "chatty" both in a room filled with MANY, as well as in singular encounters. My observation has been that even after presenting, amusing, improving and reading excerpts from his books to an audience for a solid hour, he still takes the time to enthusiastically and gratefully chat with each and EVERY one of his readers as they patiently wait for his Sharpie'd autograph to grace their book(s) of choice.
Give author Michael Perry a try. He's all Wisconsin, all of the time. Authentic, candid, hard-working, and as introverted as he is hilariously extroverted.
5 Stars
November 6, 2024
Maybe this would’ve hit differently during the COVID era. Some of the essays are fine, nice, thoughtful. Many are his usual ramblings about feeling insecure about being a rural nerd, chickens, his family, his farm, etc. More of the same. Slowly, slowly, you see him approach new ideas, but they’re so toothless. I wish he would say something new. I wish he would quit it with the self-deprecating hick schtick. Maybe I’m sick of this bullshit build community and be a pleasant Midwesterner. Easy to say when you’re “one of them.” The theme of human connection isn’t as strong throughout the collection as I’d hoped.
May 3, 2025
April 28th to May 3rd
I really enjoyed this book of essays on all sorts of things from silly to totally mundane and yet still hitting home like a well aimed arrow. Michael Perry manages to take simple life and explain it as I more often than not feel it although I am not from a rural area nor am I from Wisconsin. A great read, it had to be because I hate books of essays.
I really enjoyed this book of essays on all sorts of things from silly to totally mundane and yet still hitting home like a well aimed arrow. Michael Perry manages to take simple life and explain it as I more often than not feel it although I am not from a rural area nor am I from Wisconsin. A great read, it had to be because I hate books of essays.
April 4, 2023
Michael Perry could read the dictionary and I would be enchanted. Of course, his writing is what it's about and I appreciate his observations on the little things. They spark gratitude and nostalgia and often make me think of my Dad.
August 18, 2023
These are essays that originally appeared in the Wisconsin State Journal. While they were written during Covid they are anything but political or doom and gloom. I appreciate his “midwest nice” philosophy.
March 22, 2024
Wonderful book of short essays from during 2020 pandemic. Revisits how different things were for so long. Michael has a unique way to describe what we all went through and that we should appreciate the little things in life. It's humorous and touching at the same time!
May 2, 2025
absolutely my favorite read of 2025 to date - heartwarming, funny, inspiring, and if you grew up in the rural midwest - grateful. His prose is reminiscent of Ray Bradbury’s artistry married with a Gen X version of Garrison Keillor.
May 25, 2023
As always, Michael Perry is awesome. This collection of essays written during the COVID-19 pandemic are insightful, thoughtful and heartwarming.
Read
November 28, 2024Audio
September 21, 2025
When the world is gloomy and overwhelming, read Michael Perry essays.
December 12, 2025
Download some wisdom with the screen off
December 28, 2025
4.25 ⭐️
March 12, 2023
The Poetry of the Everyday
As I read and enjoyed this book I wondered how I could explain nature of it when recommending to others. A bit of plagiarism does the trick. The title of this review is a quote Perry uses to describe his aims. Life stories are all about tragedy and triumphs. Usually, our days are more a string of minor annoyances and simple satisfactions. Again to borrow from Perry, who references Henry James who “exhorts the reader not to invest too heavily in optimism or pessimism, but rather to simply “catch the colour of life itself.””
As I read and enjoyed this book I wondered how I could explain nature of it when recommending to others. A bit of plagiarism does the trick. The title of this review is a quote Perry uses to describe his aims. Life stories are all about tragedy and triumphs. Usually, our days are more a string of minor annoyances and simple satisfactions. Again to borrow from Perry, who references Henry James who “exhorts the reader not to invest too heavily in optimism or pessimism, but rather to simply “catch the colour of life itself.””
August 3, 2023
What's not to love about Michael Perry and his books? His observations on everyday life and the people he encounters are a joy to read. He is the perfect antidote for these troubled times.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews