Introduction

This is a blog about the book Population: 485, by Michael Perry who writes bestselling memoirs. Some of his other works include Truck: A Love Story and Pigs and Parenting. Perry also writes essays and articles that have been published in Esquire, New York Times, and numerous other papers.  The memoir Population: 485 is about Perry going back to his rural hometown of New Auburn, Wisconsin to become a volunteer firefighter and find his roots again.  It deals with everyone knowing each other and each others business, and helping each other out whenever possible. The book goes on to describe certain situations that arise in a volunteer firefighters experience and then digs deeper to explain the inter-workings of a small town.
Everyone in our group has knowledge of small town community. Stephanie grew up in a small town where everyone knew everybody. Jenny grew up sixteen miles from the nearest town, which consisted merely of a church, bar, softball diamond, and about six houses.  Rob frequently visited the local firehouse when he was a lad.  Brayden also grew up in a small town from which remembers what a lawn ornament really is, and finally, Megan’s grandparents live on a farm where the nearest town has a population of 200 people. By having us all know the feeling of a small town, we can all relate to the book. We all have a better understanding of how and why the characters live their life the way they do and we can also relate to the different situations they are thrown into.  Population 485 is interesting to us because it's a book about all our lives put together.