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Books Set in the Upper Midwest
Whether you’re participating in our Read Around the USA Challenge or simply found your way to our website researching books set in your home state or your next travel destination, you’ve come to the right place.
The Best Books Set in the Northern Midwest
Below, you’ll find a list of highly-rated books set in the Upper Midwest states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, or Wisconsin. Our curated recommendations strike a good balance between historical fiction, contemporary novels, and non-fiction books about the northern states. If you’re looking for another state, check our comprehensive list of books set in every state.
Books Set in Illinois
The best books set in the Prairie State, including novels and non-fiction.
Books Set in Indiana
The best books set in the Hoosier State, including novels and non-fiction.
Books Set in Michigan
The best books set in the Great Lakes State, including novels and non-fiction.
Books Set in Minnesota
The best books set in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, including novels and non-fiction.
Books Set in Wisconsin
The best books set in the Badger State, including novels and non-fiction.
Sign Up for the Read Around the USA Challenge
Sign up for our email list below to receive a free printable tracker for the Read Around the USA Challenge. Our weekly email newsletter helps you stay on track with friendly reminders while still allowing you the flexibility to read at your own pace.
Printable Version of the Challenge Book Lists
Readers who support The Book Girls’ Guide through our Buy Me a Coffee (BMAC) membership site can access printable versions of the reading challenge book lists. As we create stand-alone book lists for the Read Around the USA Challenge throughout the year, each individual state book list will be available in a single-page printable format for our BMAC members.
We offer two membership levels. Both our BFF members and our Inner Circle members get access to the single-page printables for the year-long reading challenges. Visit our Buy Me a Coffee membership page for a full list of benefits for each level.
Our BMAC members help cover the cost of running the challenges so we can keep them free for everyone!
Book Recommendations for Other Regions of the USA
If you’re participating in our 2025 Read Around the USA Challenge and reading one book per region, you can find links to every region here. If you’re doing the 50 States Challenge and reading books from every state and territory, you can get an alphabetical index here. Throughout 2025, we’ll be expanding the regional book lists into standalone book lists for all 50 states.
A book I just read that I would recommend for MN is In the Night of Memory by Linda Grover. A beautiful book about Native Americans in MN, and the problem of missing Native American women. A 5 star read for me for sure!
Does it count if I have read the script for the Musical version of A Christmas Story?
Absolutely!