Book Of The Month – 2026

Our team has explored countless books across many subjects, and we’ve narrowed them down to twelve standouts for 2026. Each month, we’ll feature one of these books, offering highlights and insights to help you decide if it’s worth adding to your bookshelf. Make sure to use the coupon code BOTM26 at checkout to receive the Book of the Month at an exclusive 20% discount!

January: The First-Time Homesteader

The First Time Homesteader by Jessica Sowards is a beginner-friendly guide that helps new or aspiring homesteaders take those first steps with confidence. Sowards walks readers through the core elements of building a homestead, from planning land use and setting realistic goals to raising animals, gardening, preserving food, and developing long-term skills. Her approach combines practical instruction with heartfelt encouragement, making the homesteading lifestyle feel accessible regardless of your experience level. Packed with honest stories, helpful tips, and clear guidance, this book serves as both a roadmap and a motivation boost for anyone ready to start living more intentionally.

February: An Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Raising Backyard Ducks

An Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Raising Backyard Ducks is a friendly, practical guide for anyone ready to raise ducks for the first time. From choosing the right breeds, setting up safe housing, to understanding duck behavior, this book breaks it all down in a way that feels simple and approachable. With clear instructions, helpful visuals, and real-world advice, it takes the guesswork out of duck keeping and helps readers build a happy, healthy flock. Whether you have a big homestead or a small backyard, this guide makes raising ducks feel doable, fun, and incredibly rewarding. 

March: Composting For A New Generation

Composting for a New Generation is a modern, down-to-earth guide to building better soil and a more sustainable lifestyle. It breaks composting into simple, doable steps that actually make sense, from what you can compost and how to start, to fixing common problems like smells, pests, and slow piles. With clear explanations, real-life examples, and a no-judgement vibe, the book helps readers feel confident turning scraps into nutrient-rich compost. Whether you are working with a backyard, a balcony, or just a small bin, this guide makes composting feel easy, empowering, and kind of magical. 

April: The First Time Gardener – Container Food Gardening

The First-Time Gardener: Container Food Gardening by Pam Farley is a practical, step-by-step guide to growing fresh food in containers. Designed with beginners in mind, the book breaks down the essentials of container gardening in a way that’s approachable and easy to follow.

Readers learn how to select the right containers, create the ideal soil mix, and choose fruits, vegetables, and herbs suited for container growing. The book also covers key care techniques like watering, fertilizing, pruning, and troubleshooting common issues to help plants thrive.

In addition to the basics, Farley includes creative planting plans and space-saving strategies, showing how container gardens can be adapted to fit almost any environment. With its focus on simplicity, flexibility, and success in small spaces, this guide empowers new gardeners to grow their own food with confidence—even with limited time, space, or experience.

May: An Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Raising Backyard Turkeys

An Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Raising Backyard Turkeys by Stacy Benjamin is a practical, approachable introduction to raising turkeys. Written from a homesteader’s perspective, the book walks readers through everything they need to know, from choosing the right breed and raising poults to understanding turkey behavior, nutrition, housing, and overall care. 

With a focus on raising turkeys for eggs, meat, or simple enjoyment, it breaks down the process into manageable steps, helping beginners build confidence while creating a healthy, happy flock.

June: What’s Killing My Chickens?

What’s Killing My Chickens? The Poultry Predator Detective Manual by Gail Damerow is a practical reference guide for identifying and preventing predator attacks on backyard poultry flocks. It teaches readers how to investigate what happened after an incident by looking closely at clues such as tracks, feathers, scat, and damage patterns. The book breaks down a wide range of common predators, including foxes, raccoons, hawks, rodents, and snakes, explaining how each one hunts and when they are most likely to strike. It also helps readers understand the signs each predator leaves behind so they can make more informed decisions after an attack. Alongside identification, the book offers prevention strategies, including coop reinforcement, fencing improvements, nighttime protection, and general flock management practices. It is designed to be both a troubleshooting tool and an ongoing reference for keeping poultry safe in a variety of environments. Overall, it is a straightforward and approachable guide that helps chicken keepers move from confusion and frustration to confidence and preparedness.

July: The Chicken Health Handbook

The Chicken Health Handbook, Second Edition by Gail Damerow is a detailed reference guide dedicated to keeping chickens healthy and productive. Covering birds of all ages and breeds, the book provides practical information on recognizing symptoms, understanding diseases, improving nutrition, and preventing health issues before they start. 

The handbook includes diagnostic charts, disease profiles, treatment options, and preventative care strategies that help poultry keepers navigate a wide range of flock health concerns. Topics range from parasites and respiratory illnesses to nutrition, metabolism, and overall flock management. 

What sets this book apart is its balance of depth and accessibility. It serves as both a troubleshooting guide for urgent situations and a long-term educational resource for improving flock care. Many chicken keepers consider it one of the most valuable references available for backyard poultry, often describing it as a “chicken bible” because of its thorough coverage and practical advice. 

August: The Harvest Baker

The Harvest Baker: 150 Sweet & Savory Recipes Celebrating the Fresh-Picked Flavors of Fruits, Herbs & Vegetables by Ken Haedrich is a cookbook dedicated to making the most of seasonal produce through baking. Rather than limiting fruits and vegetables to side dishes and salads, Haedrich incorporates them into everything from breads and biscuits to pizzas, quiches, cookies, cakes, and pies.

The collection includes 150 recipes designed to highlight the natural flavors of garden-fresh ingredients. Readers will find creative ways to use common harvest favorites like tomatoes, corn, squash, berries, herbs, and root vegetables while exploring combinations that go far beyond traditional zucchini bread and carrot cake.

Organized into sections covering both savory and sweet bakes, the book offers something for every skill level. Detailed instructions, practical baking tips, and stunning photography make it approachable for beginners while still providing plenty of inspiration for experienced home bakers.

Perfect for gardeners, homesteaders, and anyone who loves baking from scratch, The Harvest Baker is a celebration of seasonal cooking and the satisfaction of turning fresh-picked ingredients into something delicious.

September: The Ultimate Guide to Butchering, Smoking, Curing, Sausage, and Jerky Making

The Ultimate Guide to Butchering, Smoking, Curing, Sausage, and Jerky Making by Philip Hasheider is a comprehensive guide to processing and preserving meat at home. Covering beef, pork, poultry, lamb, goat, and wild game, the book explains each stage of the process with clear instructions that are approachable for beginners while offering enough detail for experienced homesteaders.

Readers will learn how to safely prepare animals for processing, identify and separate different cuts of meat, and choose the right tools for the job. The book also dives into preparation, giving readers practical methods for extending the life of their harvest while creating flavorful, homemade products.

More than a butchering manual, this book celebrates the value of using an animal thoughtfully and responsibly. It encourages a nose-to-tail approach that minimizes waste and helps readers gain a deeper appreciation for where their food comes from, making it an excellent addition to any homesteader’s library.

October: The Backyard Homestead Seasonal Planner

Written by Ann Larkin Hansen, The Backyard Homestead Seasonal Planner is a hands-on organizational tool designed to help homesteaders manage the many moving parts of a productive property. Rather than focusing on a single topic, it brings together tasks from across the homestead, including the garden, orchard, barn, pasture, equipment shed, and more.

The planner is organized around the natural rhythms of the year, offering seasonal to-do lists, practical tips, and discussions of important topics that arise throughout each stage of the growing season. Readers will also find record-keeping sections, charts, and checklists that make it easier to track projects and plan ahead.

One of the book’s biggest strengths is its emphasis on working with the seasons rather than against them. By helping readers recognize seasonal cues and prioritize tasks at the right time, Hansen makes homestead management feel less overwhelming and more intentional.

Part planner, part reference guide, and part record book, this resource is ideal for anyone who wants to stay organized, reduce stress, and get more out of their garden, livestock, and homestead throughout the year.

Bookmark this page and check back next month for our November favorite!