The Freckled Farm Soap Company

Tag: book club

  • The Freckled Farm’s First Friday Book Club – The Dirty Life

    Better late than never I guess!! As many of you know the last few weeks have been a little crazy on The Freckled Farm. Between the babies being born, everyday farm chores, shows, farmer markets, the photography business, and raising two little ones of our own, our heads are spinning… and I’m not sure it’s going to slow down anytime soon (nor do I want it too). I’m now playing catch up and just getting around to writing this months book club post. I will also get back on track with our “What’s up Wednesday” post this week as well.

    Our April First Friday Book Club book is The Dirty Life: A memoir of Farming, Food, and Love by Kristin Kimball!

    The Dirty Life

    The Dirty Life is another one of those stories where a city girl drops everything to move to a farm and live off of the land. In this particular book Kristin comes to this life change after meeting her future husband, Mark, when she was sent to interview him about his farm and CSA. They quickly fall in love and begin a journey to live off the land and leave the smallest footprint possible. The book is honestly written, covering the hardships as well as the triumphs. It shows the affects of this transition on their relationship and mental state. It’s not an easy road, but one that is most definitely worth taking. It’s a truly inspiring novel.

    Have you read this book? Let me know what you think!

  • The Freckled Farm First Friday Book Club – Goat Song

    I am starting the 2014 “The Freckled Farm First Friday Book Club” with my favorite farming memoir – Goat Song: A Seasonal Life, a Short History of Herding, and the Art of Making Cheese by Brad Kessler

    Goat Song

    You will learn over the next year that I am completely obsessed with farming memoirs. I find the process of starting a farm incredibly fascinating… any type of farm, not just goat farms. It’s likely because I am at that same point in my life as many of the authors, but even if you aren’t I can assure you that they are great reads. There is something very romantic about learning to live of the land.

    This was the book that started my love of farm memoirs. This wonderful novel follows Brad Kessler’s journey as he leaves the big city, moves to a farm in southern Vermont, and learns to raise goats and make cheese. I found his process of learning to make cheese especially inspirational. I love when people go to great lengths to truly learn their craft. Throughout the book Mr. Kessler throws in interesting facts about goats and how they have been viewed and used through history. So not only is this book a lovely story it’s also a history lesson.

    Goat song is beautifully written. It goes into great detail about what it is like to start a goat farm and if you haven’t witnessed a buck in rut or the whole breeding process I am here to attest that it really is as gross as he depicts. Brad loves his land, his goats, and good cheese. I sincerely love this book. It is the perfect book to start your love of farming memoirs!

    Have you read Goat Song? Leave your thoughts in the comment section!