Favorite Books on Life in the Country
For years on this website and in my personal life I have been recommending the same country living books, even though I’ve read many others. Why? Because the books below are timeless, helpful, and cover a wide range of country living topics. Once you’ve made your move to the country you’ll find that you turn to these books over and over again to answer many of your questions.
The Encyclopedia of Country Living
You’ll find reviews on Amazon’s website on this one and discover that people either love or hate this book. Most of the people who don’t like it are those who find dis-organization insufferable as they’ll find concise set of instuctions on any one topic lacking.
Personally I love this book. Is it scattered? Yes. But when you consider the author and the lifeline of the book you’ll understand why. Carla was a city girl just like me who jumped into farm life without much knowledge. She shares her experiences, trials and emotions openly through her journey and through the pages of the book. Now that I’ve said that I must also say that the book over the years has had a fair amount of an editor’s hand and reads better today than ever. On a side note, Carla Emery is no longer with us but she is immortalized in the pages of The Encyclopedia of Country Living.
In 1999 or 2000 I spoke with Carla. She had given all she could to the world and was still ready to lend a hand or advice to any struggling farmer right before her death. However she was poor and living in a trailer. All the years of this book being a best seller did her little good in the long run. In Carla’s life she took in boarders interested in learning about life and travelled the USA giving talks to many clubs and organizations. She was a kind hearted and wonderful woman – if you read the book, you’ll feel as though you’re taking notes at her kitchen table. It only makes sense as that is how she wrote the book, and published it, in monthly binders sent out by subscription to a small group of ‘back-to-the-landers’ in the 1960s. 
Her children and sometimes her husband Mike would compile the newsletter around the kitchen table where stacks of pages were strategically placed so that each family member could circle that large table and create each package by hand for every subscriber. Eventually the contents were picked up as a book and The Encylopedia of Country Living has been reprinted and edited numerous times. Carla never considered herself a gifted writer, but she is accessible in her style and honesty with her readers. This book is a favorite that is forever passed between friends’ houses and my own – even though many of them are third generation farming families. I had an older version of this book which for some reason I gave away, and now can’t even remember who I gave it to! They must have needed it…The book is a fun read that is valuable and helpful – even in the city! Recipes, how-to, gardening, first aid and more. Find out more about: The Encyclopedia of Country Living here.
Country Wisdom and Know How
Learn More about: Country Wisdom & Know-How, here.
Some Read, Long Ago, and Somewhat Forgotten
Other books I have read, that were all part of my own development here on the farm, were lent out to others years ago, or lost in our house fire of 2008 are below. Barbara Kingslover’s book is relatively new and the final of the three, The Joy of Keeping Farm Animals, was written by yours truly and is set to be published in Spring, 2010. You could pre-order now though and win my heart in the process. 
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Laura Childs
Country Living Book Reviews
Home decorators! Be sure to see my favorite Country Decorating Books – great on those cold, winter nights when you need a little escape or inspiration! Both old and used are available. And many now include free shipping and fast delivery!
