My September Reads 2024 - Special Edition: Rural Life
Books about being a farmer and a shepherd in Northern England, the secret life of cows and a new start in life on a farm in Brittany, France
September was a very lively reading month with lots of interesting and diverse books. I decided to split this post into two parts, because there is so much to tell.
(If you are looking for the other one, here’s My September Reads 2024.)
So, let’s start!
You’ve probably noticed, I like to read about the different possibilites of living closer to nature, to live with animals.
I continued this month with wonderful and powerful British nature books and that led - almost accidentally - to farming and farm animals. Quite extensively, so that’s when I decided to post a special edition of My September Reads called “Rural Life” and put all of the titles on that topic in one post and write another for all the other interesting books I’ve read in September.
By the way, that’s how I love my reading life. Like following a trace of breadcrumbs that lead me from one topic and/or book to another. So exciting! I never get bored. So many interesting fields to explore out there. Keep them coming!
Non-fiction books
English Pastoral: An Inheritance, James Rebanks
James Rebanks tells the story of his family’s farm in the Lake District hills in Northern England. He speaks of an ancient agricultural landscape and of the age-old rhythms of work, weather, community and wild things he learned from his grandfather.
I really loved the poetic language and the beautiful nature descriptions.
The old farming way of life went into decline with the agricultural revolution and factory farming which is also linked to the disappearance of many plants and animals from the landscape. His family farm story serves as an example for what we have also experienced elsewhere, the loss of biodiversity, the complex relations between farming, consuming, politics and ecology.
It is a very informative book, also urgent in tone and content, in what needs to change and why.
James Rebanks began to salvage his tiny corner of the world, trying his best to restore the life that had vanished, which makes for a hopeful ending for this multi-layered book.
What made this read quite personal for me was that I remembered parts of this old agricultural world from my own family history in Northern Germany. The book often reminded me of my ancestors, some of whom have worked in agriculture for generations, as farm labourers and small farmers.
The Shepherd’s Life: A Tale of the Lake District, James Rebanks
Having been so impressed by the aforementioned book, I read James Rebanks’ debut next. (If you are interested, I suggest you start with this one.)
The book talks about the shepherd’s way of life in the hills of the Lake District in North England ordered by the seasons and the work they demand, and how it has stayed much the same for hundreds of years.
It made an excellent read. Rebanks’ pride of the work he and his fellow shepherds have been doing for centuries, of their skills, their closeness to the land and their herds shine through every line of the book.
It seems so alien to the supposedly modern world - but I think this kind of deep-rooted connection is often missed today.
I liked his way of narrating in both books. Chronological and/or seasonal to a certain point, but very often interspersed with memories, anecdotes and other kinds of insertion. That makes for a varied and entertaining read.
His latest book, The Places of Tides, is coming out in October 2024. It’s already on my reading list.
“That’s how I love my reading life. Like following a trace of breadcrumbs that lead me from one topic and/or book to another.”
The Secret Life of Cows, Rosamund Young
While looking for another perspective, I stumbled across this little book that comprises a lovely collection of anecdotes about the many cows (as well as sheep, hens, and pigs) Rosamund Young, an organic farmer for decades, has come across down the years on her parent’s and her own farm in Worcestershire, England.
At Kite’s Nest Farm all animals roam free. They make their own choices about rearing, grazing, and housing. They all have names and very definite characters, it becomes clear that they differ in temperament and interests much like we do.
It’s a secret world because many modern farming practices leave no room for the natural behaviour shown in Young’s book. She sees the animals as individuals, not as anonymous members of a herd, and tells us about their small adventures, their love and games, bonds and life-long friendships.
This book is not scientific, but it’s based on forty years of Rosamund Young’s close observation of her herd.
Her stories are affectionate and heart-warming. I liked the anecdotal style which makes for short chapters and an easy read. This book made me smile quite a lot.
(Bonus point for the hilarious naming of the cows.)
Interesting interview with Rosamund Young on Youtube
Unser Hof in der Bretagne: Neuanfang zwischen Beeten, Bienen und Bretonen, Regine Rompa
Note: It’s a German title (and translates roughly as: Our farm in Brittany: a new start between beds, bees and Bretons).
On a remote farm in Brittany, France, Regine and her boyfriend venture a new life away from the stress of work and city life in order to provide for themselves, live in harmony with nature and animals and find the meaning of life.
I loved the book! Such an enjoyable read! Regine Rompa talks about her and her boyfriends motivations in such an interesting way and it's exciting to follow her journey. The farm itself is a dream and the book is really encouraging!
I also liked reading a bit more about Brittany, as France in general doesn’t often feature in the books I read. (Maybe there’s more to come?)
I enjoy reading experience reports of people who dare to make the step, follow their hearts and start a new life closer to nature. You could call it one of my favourite genres.
I’d love some recommendations! Any title I should definitely read?
Watch out for My September Reads 2024 next week!
Interested in my previous reading month?