BootsnAll Travel Community

I am looking for some good novels to read that center around a farm or ranch, but are not cheesy classic westerns like La'mour or Zane Grey. Maybe something about a present day ranch or organic farm. I have already read all of Steinbecks stuff, so that is out. Anyone have any suggestions?

What? No Louie L'mour? I can't believe you wrote that. Funny.


How about The Circuit, by some local dude. [Jimenez].
It's short story style about migrant farm working through the eyes of a child. Loved it. Santa Barbara County local.

Also, read The Good Earth by Pearl S Buck, it gives me the sense of sweating in the field.
Sometimes Steinbeck, too. Like The Red Pony. But...that's more ranchy. It worked for me. Stienbeck has a collection of short stories, I think it's called The Long Valley, or something. I think Valley is in the title. Use "the Google" as GWB likes to say.

How about Charlottes Web. One of the students here is reading that one, loves it.
Little House series? Laura Ingalls Wilder. You've probably just finished those up. Ah well.

Okay, here are a few:

• Ole Rolvaag: Giants in the Earth - set in the Dakotas
  
• Frank Norris: The Octopus - about ranchers vs the railroads in 19th Century California
  
• Hamlin Garland: A Son of the Middle Border and A Daughter of the Middle Border
  
• Rudolfo Anaya: Bless Me, Ultima
  
• John Nichols: The Milagro Beanfield War
  

And that's just off the top of my head.

Jim Paris

a day no pigs would die.
i recall reading that one in high school.

also, charlotte's web!

Limestone Ledge by John Graves is one of my favorite books. It is about running and managing a small "ranch" in Glen Rose Texas