You don’t need to be living off the grid or raising chickens just yet to get something out of a good homesteading book. If you’ve been thinking about the lifestyle, these reads aren’t about giving you a strict to-do list—they’re more like a mindset shift.

Neva is sharing three books to consider if you’re curious about homesteading—or just craving a little more simplicity in your life.

1. The Backyard Homestead

This one is packed with inspiration. If you’ve got even a small patch of land (or just a dream), The Backyard Homestead is a great place to start. It’s less about perfection and more about possibility. Neva often flips back to this one when she needs a little boost or reminder of what’s doable.

2. The Good Life

This book tells the story of someone who actually did it. It’s not step-by-step instructions—it’s their journey, struggles, and successes. And honestly? That’s often way more motivating. It helps to read someone else’s story and realize there's no one “right” way to do this.

3. The Foxfire Series

If you haven’t picked up a Foxfire book, start with one. These cover all kinds of traditional skills, stories, and old-school know-how. It’s not a modern Pinterest-perfect version of homesteading—it’s the real stuff. Each volume covers different topics, so you can pick what interests you most.

These books aren’t about doing everything from scratch or living completely off-grid-think of them as guides, not manuals. There’s no all-or-nothing rule when it comes to learning this stuff. Just start where you are, stay curious, and keep collecting ideas that feel like you.

Books Mentioned in this Episode:

The Backyard Homestead

The Good Life

The Foxfire Series

Connect with Neva: https://www.thehappyhomesteadmaker.com