​Book of the Year
​Two works of fiction and three non-fiction selections were on the ballot as finalists for the 2014 book of choice. The other contenders were: The Dirty Life by Kristin Kimball; The Orphan Master’s Son by Adam Johnson, The Round House by Louise Erdrich; and The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig.
​The Bucolic Plague by Josh Kilmer-Purcell 
​
​Genre: Memoir First Edition: June 1, 2010 Setting: Upstate New York Writing Style: Prose Major Themes: Commitment, Love, Country Living Plot: What happens when two New Yorkers (one an ex-drag queen) do the unthinkable: start over, have a herd of kids, and get a little dirty? Find out in this riotous and moving true tale of goats, mud, and a centuries-old mansion in rustic upstate New York. A happy series of accidents and a doughnut-laden escape upstate take Josh and his partner, Brent, to the doorstep of the magnificent (and fabulously for sale) Beekman Mansion. One hour and one tour later, they have begun their transformation from uptight urbanites into the two-hundred-year-old-mansion-owning Beekman Boys. Suddenly, Josh—a full-time New Yorker with a successful advertising career—and Brent are weekend farmers, surrounded by nature’s bounty and an eclectic cast: roosters who double as a wedding cover band; Bubby, the bionic cat; and a herd of eighty-eight goats, courtesy of their new caretaker, Farmer John. 
​Why we like it: You cannot put this book down! There are many laugh-out-loud moments but some raw, painful ones as well in The Bucolic Plague. You gobble up this book like goat cheese on a cracker. When you are finished you want to hop in the car and take a road trip to the Beekman Farm in Sharon Springs!
Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell
​regaled the audience with humorous remembrances.
Photos of Kickoff Event
We met the “Fabulous Beekman Boys!”
​The “Fabulous Beekman Boys” charmed the audience at the Two Towns-One Book 2014 Kick-off Event on Saturday, January 11. Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Brent Ridge, are well known for winning the 21st season of “The Amazing Race” in 2012 and their reality shows on the Discovery Network and the Cooking Channel. Kilmer-Purcell is the best selling author of The Bucolic Plague, which is our 2014 Book of the Year. The Beekman Boys spoke of the challenges they faced since purchasing the historic Beekman Mansion  in nearby Sharon Springs, their experiences on “The Amazing Race,” and the importance of community support in the success of their Beekman 1802 business. Visit their website for more information: www.Beekman1802.com. Copies of the Bucolic Plague were sold and signed. Audience members were asked to join the “TTOB Read to Feed – Kids helping Kids – Families Helping Families” initiative by making donations and by voting for the animal to be donated. See “Kids Read, Too! for more information about our project supporting Heifer International. Read about the coverage of our Kick-off by The Saratogian newspaper. 
Beekman 1802 Farm Trip: Final celebration of this year’s book – The Bucolic Plague
Thank you, Josh Kilmer Purcell and Brent Ridge, for welcoming Two Towns-One Book as the first private group (80 of us!) to tour your fabulous farm! Our TTOB Chairperson, Linda Conklin, worked with Rhona Koretsky to organize a perfect day of activities. We toured the farm, meeting the chickens and goats. Thank you, Megan and Farmer John. We lunched at the American Hotel in Sharon Springs while being entertained with stories and songs. Thank you, Doug and Garth. We shopped at nearby shops including Beekman 1802. Our trip back to the CPH Public Library included a quick stop at the Arkell Museum in Canajoharie. Fabulous Day! Remembering the day… ​Beekman Farm Photos, Sharon Springs Shopping and American Hotel Photos, The Arkell Photos
For additional details, visit Gail’s “Life As I See It” blog: The Historic and Charming American Hotel; The Fabulous Beekman 1802; Sharon Springs Springs to Life
See More Events to Revisit