BRAINS and Brawn.

Books have played an enormous role in my life, starting off when I was very young and Mum used to take my sisters and I to the library every Saturday morning. I would come home and read all day. I’m one of those who would prefer a new book to a new outfit. My daughter has continued the tradition and now has over 1,000 books on her bookshelf. (I think she would take both the book AND the outfit!)

I’d like to take you on a literary tour of what’s on my bookshelf.

Who do I read to help answer our questions about farming situations?

Who do I read for relaxation and inspiration?

I’ve written about farmers who inspired and encouraged us to take the road to regenerative farming before – people like:

Joel Salatin
Gabe Brown
Alan Savory & Greg Judy

And there are others who aren’t farming on a grand scale, but homesteading, that have a lot to add, like Ben Hewitt and Ben Falk. Motivating life stories from authors like Kristin Kimball, who wrote “The Dirty Life” about their journey of starting a farm. Also “Miraculous Abundance” by Perrine and Charles Herve-Gryer, telling of how they made this way of farming work.

[Please note: I’ve linked to websites belonging to people I have mentioned in this blog post. The links are towards the bottom of this page.]

The history of life on earth and the way societies interact also intrigues me, and I have found Jared Diamond’s work to be educational if a little dry, while David Montgomery writes in an entertaining way to get all the facts and figures across.

Scientist/authors abound. Judith Schwarte, Diana Rodgers, Nicole Masters and Dr Bill Schindler, tease out the reasons and results of living the way we do.

Pat Colby and Temple Grandin lift the bar in their understanding of livestock and how to manage and treat disease.

Farmer philosophers like Wendall Berry and Vandana Shiva, help keep you thinking and looking for a better way to do things.

When it all seems too much and I want a break, I turn to authors like Georgette Heyer, Mary Stewart, Agatha Christie and Alastair MacLean. I grew up reading these authors, who are now all dead so no new releases – they are like old friends that make me laugh and keep me entertained.

Sometimes I feel like I am behind the times, as I will always prefer a book to a computer screen. I also search for answers on the web, and the miracle of email means you can have a conversation with people you would probably never meet in person. I email lots of people who don’t know me, and sometimes you get an answer. Gabe Brown responded immediately to the queries of an unknown Aussie when I was all excited after reading his book – a great gentleman.

The answer to most questions are out there and maybe you’ll find them in a book!