There's A Porcupine In My Outhouse

There's A Porcupine In My Outhouse chronicles Michael Tougias's experiences buying and maintaining a rustic cabin in Vermont's wilderness. The memoir follows his transition from city life to learning the ways of rural living in the 1980s. The narrative centers on Tougias's encounters with wildlife, weather challenges, and the realities of owning a cabin without modern amenities. His misadventures include dealing with the titular porcupine, navigating treacherous mountain roads, and learning to coexist with the natural world around him. The book documents the author's growing connection to his remote property through each season and challenge. His observations of animal behavior and Vermont's changing landscapes form the backdrop for his personal journey. This memoir captures the intersection between human determination and nature's indifference, while exploring themes of solitude and adaptation. The humor and mishaps serve to illuminate larger truths about finding one's place in the natural world.

Readers describe this as a light, humorous collection of outdoor misadventures in rural New England. The short stories follow the author's experiences buying and maintaining a rustic cabin in Vermont. Readers appreciate: - The relatable mishaps and self-deprecating humor - Quick, easy-to-read chapters - Authentic portrayal of rural Vermont life and locals - Educational aspects about wilderness and wildlife Common criticisms: - Some stories feel repetitive - Writing style can be basic - Occasional forced humor - Too much focus on outhouse incidents Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (175 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (92 ratings) Sample reader comments: "Perfect bathroom reading material" - Goodreads reviewer "Like listening to a friend tell cabin stories over beers" - Amazon reviewer "Light entertainment but nothing profound" - Goodreads reviewer The book resonates most with readers who have experience with rural cabins or New England culture.

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🌲 Author Michael Tougias wrote this humorous memoir about his misadventures while building and maintaining a cabin in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom during the 1980s - despite having no construction experience 🏠 The cabin Tougias purchased cost only $11,000 but came with no electricity, no running water, and a host of unexpected animal visitors including the titular porcupine 🌳 The Northeast Kingdom region of Vermont got its name in 1949 from Governor George Aiken for its particularly rugged, pristine natural beauty and relative isolation 🦨 The book details Tougias' encounters with various wildlife including bears, skunks, raccoons, and a particularly determined porcupine that kept returning to make the outhouse its home 📚 While known for this comedic memoir, Tougias later became renowned for writing bestselling true survival stories like "The Finest Hours" and "Ten Hours Until Dawn" which were significantly more serious in tone