A young girl named Fern saves a runt piglet from being slaughtered and names him Wilbur. When Wilbur grows too large, he is sent to live in her uncle's barn, where he befriends a clever spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur's life is in danger again, Charlotte weaves messages into her web to convince the farmer that Wilbur is too special to kill. The book explores themes of friendship, sacrifice, and the cycle of life.

This novel is a modern retelling of Shakespeare's King Lear, set on a 1000-acre farm in Iowa. The story revolves around three daughters whose father decides to divide his land among them. The eldest two daughters are compliant with their father's decision, but the youngest daughter objects, leading to familial discord. The novel delves into themes of power, jealousy, and the dark secrets that can tear a family apart.

"Nectar in a Sieve" is a tale of an Indian peasant woman named Rukmani who endures the hardships of rural poverty, natural disasters, and personal tragedy, while trying to raise her children and maintain her marriage. The book explores themes of love, hope, and the strength of the human spirit against the backdrop of a rapidly changing India. Despite the constant struggles, Rukmani never loses her faith and hope, symbolizing the resilience and strength of ordinary people in the face of adversity.

This novel is a story about the Stamper family who are independent loggers in the Pacific Northwest. The family is notorious for their stubbornness, refusing to join a union strike, which leads to tension and conflict within their Oregon logging community. The narrative also delves into the complex family dynamics, focusing on two half-brothers and their contentious relationship. The book explores themes of individualism, family loyalty, and the struggle against societal expectations.

Set in a small mining town in England, the novel follows the life of a young boy who, despite his bleak surroundings and abusive family, finds solace and a sense of purpose in training a kestrel. He learns about falconry from a book he steals from his school library. His connection with the bird offers a brief respite from his harsh reality, but tragedy strikes when his brother kills the bird out of spite. The story ends with the boy forced to return to his grim reality, with his only source of happiness gone.

The book delves into the question of what we should have for dinner. It explores the paradox of the omnivore's dilemma, detailing the food chains that link farm to table, and explaining how the industrial revolution has changed the way we eat. The book also discusses the implications of our modern diet on our health and the environment, suggesting that we should return to more traditional methods of food production and consumption. It advocates for a more conscious and sustainable approach to eating.

"On the Black Hill" is a novel that explores the lives of twin brothers, Lewis and Benjamin, who live on a farm on the English-Welsh border. The book spans 80 years of their lives, from the late 19th century to the 1960s, and examines the changes that occur in their rural world during this time. Despite the outside world's transformation, the brothers' lives remain largely unchanged, demonstrating the enduring nature of their close relationship and their connection to the land.

A devastating horse riding accident leaves a young girl, Grace, and her horse, Pilgrim, physically and emotionally traumatized. In a desperate attempt to heal them both, Grace's mother seeks out a man with a unique gift for communicating with horses. As he works to heal Pilgrim, the horse whisperer also helps Grace and her mother confront their own pain and begin to rebuild their shattered lives.

This book is a memoir of the author's early years in Bacon County, Georgia, during the Great Depression. It details his life in a poverty-stricken, rural community, exploring themes of hardship, resilience, and the human spirit. Despite the harsh circumstances, the author also recounts moments of joy and beauty, offering a vivid and compelling portrait of his childhood and the place that shaped him.

"December Bride" is a poignant and captivating novel set in rural Northern Ireland during the early 20th century. The story follows the life of a young woman named Sarah, who finds herself caught between tradition and her own desires. As she navigates the complexities of love, family, and societal expectations, Sarah must make difficult choices that will shape her future. With its vivid descriptions and richly drawn characters, this book explores themes of identity, sacrifice, and the enduring power of love.

This book is a collection of essays that explore the author's experiences and observations after moving from the city to the rural landscapes of Wyoming. The narrative delves into the harsh and beautiful realities of living in the American West, the author's personal healing after a tragic loss, and the solace found in the vast open spaces. The book is a profound meditation on nature, solitude, grief, resilience, and the transformative power of landscape.

Set in South Africa, this novel tells the story of a woman living on a remote farm who is isolated not only geographically but also emotionally and psychologically. After her father marries his young mistress, the protagonist's life spirals into madness and tragedy. The narrative explores themes of loneliness, power dynamics, and the harsh realities of life in apartheid-era South Africa, all presented through the protagonist's fragmented and unreliable perspective.

The novel is a poignant exploration of a man's relationship with his father and his own identity. Set in Norway, it follows the protagonist's decision to live in solitude after the death of his wife and sister. Through a series of flashbacks, he recalls his childhood, particularly the summer of 1948 when he lived with his father in the country. As he delves into his past, he uncovers his father's involvement in the resistance during World War II and the lasting impact it had on their relationship and his own life. The narrative intertwines the past and the present, reflecting on themes of loss, betrayal, and the complexity of human relationships.

This book is an evocative tribute to the author's childhood in a small farming community in Virginia, where seasonal and local foods were an integral part of the cultural experience. It intertwines personal recollections with recipes that capture the essence of Southern cuisine, emphasizing the rhythm of nature, the importance of community, and the pleasures of sharing good food. The narrative is as much a memoir as it is a cookbook, offering a window into a way of life that cherishes culinary traditions, the land, and the changing seasons, with dishes that range from simple to celebratory, all rooted in the heritage of American cooking.

This novel takes place in a small Texas town where a young boy grows up on a ranch with his grandfather and a host of other characters. The story is about the boy's coming of age and his struggle to understand the adult world around him, especially when a devastating disease threatens the cattle on their ranch. The narrative explores themes of morality, love, and the harsh realities of life in a small, close-knit community.

This novel explores the harrowing journey of an African American man in the rural South, who, after years of enduring economic hardship and the oppressive racial dynamics of the mid-20th century, abandons his family in search of a better life. The narrative delves into the consequences of his actions, particularly on his wife and son, and examines the cycle of violence, poverty, and despair that plagues his community. As he returns home years later, seeking redemption and a third chance at life, the story poignantly addresses themes of resilience, the impact of systemic racism, and the possibility of personal transformation amidst seemingly insurmountable challenges.

The novel follows the story of Gertie Nevels, a strong-willed and talented woman from the Kentucky hills, who is uprooted from her rural home when her husband finds work in Detroit during World War II. As a skilled woodcarver and a devoted mother, Gertie struggles to maintain her family's Appalachian values and way of life amidst the harsh realities of urban industrial society. Her dream of buying back her family's homestead is challenged by the demands of her new environment, leading to a poignant exploration of identity, resilience, and the clash between rural and urban cultures during a time of societal change.

"Storm in the Village" is a charming tale set in the idyllic English countryside, where the tranquil life of a small village is stirred by the news of a proposed new school. The villagers, with their rich tapestry of interwoven lives, are thrown into a state of concern as they face the potential disruption to their community. Through a series of endearing vignettes, the narrative explores the residents' varying reactions to change, the preservation of rural traditions, and the strength of community bonds. The story captures the essence of village life, with its gossip, eccentric characters, and the central role of the school in the community, all depicted with warmth and gentle humor.

Set in the 1930s on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, the novel follows the life of a struggling African American family living in a small fishing village. The narrative centers around the hardships and resilience of the family, particularly focusing on the mother, who is determined to ensure that her child survives the harsh realities of poverty, racism, and a lack of access to proper healthcare. The story is a poignant exploration of the human spirit and the community's fight against systemic oppression, capturing the enduring hope for a better future amidst the dire circumstances of the Great Depression.

The book is a darkly comedic and sprawling tale of a rural American outcast, whose life is marked by relentless misfortune and societal marginalization. The protagonist, with an extraordinary talent for animal husbandry, finds himself in constant conflict with the small-minded townsfolk and corrupt officials of his Midwestern community. His journey is one of epic struggle against adversity and the pettiness of small-town politics, culminating in a dramatic and chaotic rebellion that upends the social order of his world. The narrative weaves a rich tapestry of rural life, exploring themes of revenge, social injustice, and the quest for personal redemption.

"Close Range: Wyoming Stories" is a collection of short stories that depict the harsh, rugged life in Wyoming. The book portrays the lives of various characters, from ranchers to rodeo cowboys, who are struggling with poverty, loneliness, and the harsh physical environment. The stories are characterized by a strong sense of place, dark humor, and vivid descriptions of the western landscape. The characters' struggles with their harsh environment and personal demons create a poignant and often tragic portrait of life in the American West.

Set in a remote English village over a seven-day period, "Harvest" tells the story of a community on the brink of inevitable change. The village's way of life is threatened when three outsiders set up camp on the outskirts, and a fire at the manor house leads to suspicion and blame. As the villagers grapple with the intrusion and the resulting chaos, the imminent enclosure of the common land looms, signaling the end of the agrarian lifestyle they've always known.

The novel explores the inner life and memories of a Midwestern woman named Janet, who is caught between her present life as a wife and mother and her past experiences growing up on a farm. On a fishing trip with a friend, Janet reflects on her youth, her relationships with men, and the complexities of her sexual awakening in a rural setting. The narrative weaves through time, revealing the quiet tensions and personal struggles that lie beneath the surface of her seemingly ordinary life, painting a poignant and introspective portrait of a woman's journey through the landscapes of her past and the emotional terrain of her inner world.

"A Country Year" is a reflective memoir that captures the author's experiences living alone on a remote Ozarks farm after her divorce. Over the course of a year, she intimately describes the rhythms and changes of the natural world around her, from the behavior of bees (which she keeps for a living) to the patterns of the changing seasons. The book is a blend of personal narrative, nature writing, and philosophical musings, offering insights into the challenges and rewards of rural solitude, the intricate beauty of the environment, and the resilience required to maintain a self-sufficient lifestyle. Through keen observations and lyrical prose, the author invites readers to share in the quiet joys and profound observations gleaned from a life closely attuned to nature.

"Windbreak" is a reflective and poignant memoir that delves into the daily life and challenges of a woman managing a cattle ranch in the American West. Through a series of journal entries, the author provides an intimate glimpse into the rhythms of rural life, the connection to the land, and the resilience required to sustain both the environment and the spirit in the face of adversity. The narrative weaves together themes of solitude, the changing seasons, and the intricate balance between human activity and nature, offering readers a profound meditation on the complexities of agricultural life and the enduring strength of a woman's dedication to her land and livelihood.