The Rural Diaries

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

By: Hilarie Burton

Narrated by: 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.

Remarkable

I needed this breath of fresh air!! A story about love, loss, growth, and all things earthly. It doesn’t hurt that it’s written by my favorite actress @hilarieburton. Hilarie’s a great writer, and an even better story teller. As I listened so intently to her voice telling her own life’s stories thus far, I found myself crying tears of joy, and at times of sadness. My heart filled with joy through her greatest moments, and heartache through the saddest. I could relate a lot to Hilarie. I have seen many of the trials she has faced in my life and it was so difficult to come out of those places for me. I have seen my own joys as well. It was her bad ass strength and her yearn for something better that reminded me of the place I came from to where I am now. She has reminded me to enjoy the simple things in life. To breath and to remember that life will always be a steady pace of ups and downs, but joy can always be found even in the darkest moments. She has reminded me, that I too am a bad ass woman, that I can rise up from the shit that I’ve been through. To not waste a single moment to chase the dreams I’ve been wanting to pursue and to live for the NOW!! This is my thank you letter. Thank you Hilarie Burton Morgan, for pouring out your heart and soul into such an amazing book. Opening my eyes to a “your not alone” kind of world. It has given me new perspective and a new found hope. You, have given me strength through your stories. You’ve planted a MF seed in me, and I am going to hold on to that seed and nourish it forever. Rhinebeck is a magical place, with magical people, who love and nourish each other. I see that. I now want to walk into “Samuels Sweet shop” and smell the fresh hot chocolate being made, to sit on the red bench at the entrance. I want to eat a flower, and make my own pickles. I want to plant all the seeds and get spit on by an alpaca just to say that it happened. Mostly, I have never wanted to hug a person I have never met but feel like I’ve known most of my life more than I do right now. Hilarie you are incredible, fearless, beautiful, strong, and have a heart of gold!! “Your art matters, it’s what got me here!” 😘
with love, Megan from Georgia
If you want to be encouraged, empowered, and loved on through a book, buy this one. Listening to it is even sweeter. You will be blessed forever. I have. 💕

Real, relatable and candid

Thanks for sharing your story and keeping it real! Inspiring to lose who have similar situations.

Jaw dropping connection

This book felt like it rooted me back to humanity. Thank you for reminding me how it all matters.

Absolutely loved!!

I loved every part of this book and I’m so incredibly sad it’s over. I cried (sad and happy tears) so many times because I felt the pain and joy in her voice. Hilarie is such a wonderful story teller and I could listen to her soothing voice for the rest of my days. I’m so glad she let us into even just a small part of her life. Thank you so much Hilarie Burton! You are such an amazing human being.

Raw honesty

Compelling storytelling. A little short when speaking about the difficulties with her husband, seemed to magically fix concerns. Really enjoyed the narration.