Reviews with content warning for Miscarriage - The Rural Diaries: Love, Livestock, and Big Life Lessons Down on Mischief Farm

Okay, so. It took me about a month to finish this book and not because it dragged, but because I struggled to find the time to read through this without breaking down every 10 pages.
It may just be that I’m a big fan of Hilarie from the first time I watched OTH when I was 13, but the connection I felt to her words was astronomical even though we pretty much have nothing in common. Her writing voice is very similar to her talking voice (I listen to her podcast) and that is also something I love about this book. She makes me want to go out and buy a farm with all of the imaginary money I have.
This does cover some heavy topics and some may be triggering, so I would recommend reading the TWs.

Crying score: Oh yes. Yes, yes and yes again.

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neighborhood_librarian's review

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emotional hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

4.75

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alicelhonda's review against another edition

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emotional informative inspiring fast-paced

4.75

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cwinningham's review against another edition

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5.0

Such a fun audiobook. Narrated by the author herself so you could feel along with her as she spoke of the all the highs and lows. I felt like I was there with her through it all.

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carlys_currently_'s review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

4.0

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kelly_e's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.75

Title: The Rural Diaries: Love, Livestock, and the Big Life Lessons Down on Mischief Farm
Author: Hilarie Burton Morgan
Genre: Memoir
Rating: 4.75
Pub Date: May 5, 2020

T H R E E • W O R D S

Vulnerable • Enlightening • Wholesome

📖 S Y N O P S I S

Hilarie Burton Morgan's time in New York and Los Angeles offered a very comfortable life, yet it didn't fulfill her spiritually or emotionally. Following the birth of their son, Hilarie and her husband, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, left Hollywood, moving to rural New York in pursuit of a radically different lifestyle. It is here where they would eventually buy a farm, and start a completely different chapter of their lives.

In The Rural Diaries she chronicles the transition to country living, farm life, gardening, home renovation, entrepreneurship, motherhood, and marriage. It is a captivating story of self-discovery, honouring oneself, and embracing an unconventional journey.

💭 T H O U G H T S

I first became a fan of Hilarie as Payton on the popular 00s TV series One Tree Hill. I had seen and read snippets of her departure from Hollywood in pursuit of a different lifestly, but when I learned she'd written a memoir, I knew I had to pick it up.

And let me just say this is an incredible memoir! Hilarie certainly has a way with words, and is a phenomenal storyteller. I was so glad the audiobook was narrated by her, as it just added to the whole experience. I was impressed how she details both the triumphs and the tribulations of her journey with humour, sincerity and complete honesty. It is what makes this memoir so relatable.

Upon finishing, I desperately wanted to take a tour of her off the beaten path, small rural town. It just felt like an inviting and wonderful place to settle and thrive. As someone who grew up on a farm, there is just something about getting away from the hustle and bustle, and I truly felt that in this book.

The Rural Diaries is one of my favourite celebrity memoirs I've ever read. It simply felt like catching up with an old friend over coffee. I loved the message of finding what lights our soul on fire and living authentically, and of taking the road less travelled to honour our own well-being. I came away with a greater appreciation of her as a person, and would highly recommend tandem reading with the audio for an enhanced experience.

📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• audiobook lovers
• fans of memoirs
• readers who enjoy the 'simple' life

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"Love is like farm work. It requires consistency, and imagination. Your body will ache and you will be fatigued, but there is no greater reward than seeing the fruits of your labor."

"Try. The want-to creates the how-to. And if all else fails, just fake it. But for God's sake, at least try."

"For every death, there is a birth. For every winter, there is a summer. And as things bloom and grow and live here, we are constantly reminded what a gift it is to put our hands in the direct and connect with the land and ach other through Mischief Farm."

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lizflynn's review

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emotional hopeful lighthearted relaxing

3.0

I have no idea who this actress is. This book was fine. Fans of the author will probably appreciate it more than I did.

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