The Rural Diaries

Love, Livestock, and Big Life Lessons Down on Mischief Farm

De: Hilarie Burton

Narrado por: Hilarie Burton

The beloved actress and star of One Tree Hill, White Collar, and Lethal Weapon, Hilarie Burton, tells the inspiring story of leaving Hollywood for a radically different kind of life in upstate New York with her husband Jeffrey Dean Morgan—a celebration of community, family, and the value of hard work in small town America.

While Hilarie Burton’s hectic lifestyle as an actress in New York and Los Angeles gave her a comfortable life, it did not fulfill her spiritually or emotionally. After the birth of their first son, she and her husband Jeffrey Dean Morgan, the star of The Walking Dead, decided to make a major change: they bought a working farm in Rhinebeck, New York, and began a new chapter in their lives.

The Rural Diaries chronicles her inspiring story of farm life: chopping wood, making dandelion wine, building chicken coops. Burton looks back at her transition from urban to country living—discovering how to manage a farm while raising her son and making friends with her new neighbors. She mixes charming stories of learning to raise alpacas and buying and revitalizing the town’s beloved candy store, Samuel’s Sweet Shoppe with good friend Paul Rudd and his wife Julie, with raw observations on the ups and downs of marriage and her struggles with infertility. Burton also includes delicious recipes that can be made with fresh ingredients at home.

Burton’s charisma, wide eyed attitude, and fortitude—both internal and physical—propels this moving story of transformation and self-discovery. The Rural Diaries honors the values and lifestyle of small-town America and offers inspiration for anyone longing to embark on their own unconventional journey.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

Blown Away at the Honesty

I know now that all Burtons are liars 😜, but I am so blown away with how raw and honest this book was. At first, I just wanted to listen to one of my favorite actresses (OTH & White Collar & Christmas Movies-what’s not to adore?!) tell her story, thinking it would mention our shared home state of Virginia, give some gritty details about best and worst cast members, and talk a little about the farm I’ve seen on instagram. Little did I know, I’d be transported to a place where I’d fall in love with real life people and animals she talks about, and have my heart break over and over again. Hilarie’s story is like a raw, honest Christmas movie, but not in a “everything is perfect” way. She shares her love, loss, and deepest feelings with us in this book in such an amazing way, and I’m so grateful for her words. Her daughter’s birth announcement rocked me, as today is the day before another Mother’s Day where I’m not yet able to celebrate with a baby of my own. I’m so thankful for this book, Hilarie’s honesty, and her bravery in telling her full story. Highly recommend this to anyone.

Just like us

Hillary reading her book feels like a friend sharing her story. She let us know with all her fame she a normal, down to earth, real person saving the world one project at a time. She and Jeff have good times and bad just like the rest of us. Loved every minute of it! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Beautiful

Everything about this book was magical. It will make you laugh, cry, dream, and create.

Utterly Raw and inspiring!

I want to be like Hilary when I grow up! And I'm 30 years old, ha!! Living in the same Hudson valley, I appreciate her love and dedication to her community. One can only aspire to have as big of a heart as Hilary does.

a wonderful read

this was great! heartfelt, interesting, sweet, funny! I have always lived Hilary since OTH and White Collar. and Jeff since he was Denny on Grey's or Negan on TWD. it was such a treat to hear their story and o hope to visit the candy shop one day! gotta try some recipes too! thanks Hil! 😉