It's Monday! What Are You Reading? & Mailbox Monday - Mar 24

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.   

Happy Monday! Here we are near the end of March, and I have no clue how we got here. I've been so, so much busier than I expected. At least that's a good thing. In addition to my current pending transactions, I have more coming up soon. My meal plans are set for the next three weeks. I've got a short editing project to finalize for a client. I've also been managing our short-term rental in Wilmington, NC. I read today that Southern Living listed Wrightsville Beach (less than 10 mins from our place) as one of its Top 50 Beach Towns for 2025. How exciting! I am also working on opening up my calendar to finish writing the first draft of the novel I started in November. 

In my reading world, nothing much happened last week. I've been working on a Little House on the Prairie related project. 

Photos from the week:

Sunday was Travis' and Dwight's 6th birthday

Some of the REALTOR pins I've accumulated through the years

Stuffed sweet potatoes 

I listen to this book while I am driving. I'm also listening to the Little House on the Prairie: Fifty for 50 Anniversary Podcast. I just had to do it. Not sure how many I will binge on, but I'm enjoying it for now. 

Made a tiny bit of progress on this one. I've just been working late, so it is going slower than I hoped. Wonderful book, though. 

These are next. 

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books they added to their shelves the previous week. This weekly meme is now hosted by Vicki at I'd Rather Be At The Beach. 

These two came via email for next month's virtual book tour. 

Upcoming Events

• Boo's Blue Poo and Goo by Toni Nelson - Mar 27 (Book Blast at TC&TBC)
• Gitel's Freedom by Iris Mitlin Lav - Date TBD (Review) 
• The Silver Falcon by David Tindell - Apr 9 (Author Interview)
• Pineapple Easter Egg by Amy Vansant - Apr 10 (Showcase)
• The Whispering Witch and Nobody Important by Lee J. Martin - Apr 16 & 17 (Review at TC&TBC)
• Only in September by Cynthia Flowers - Apr 23 (Book Blast)
• Stone of Doubt by Margaret Izard - Apr 28 (Interview)
• Surviving the United Nations by Robert Bruce Adolph - May 9 (First Chapter Review)
• Freedom Drop & Calypso Blue by Brian Silverman - June 18 (Showcase)
• Freedom Drop by Brian Silverman - Date TBD (First Chapter Review)
• Calypso Blue by Brian Silverman - Date TBD (First Chapter Review)

At Christmas Year Round you might be surprised to hear that there was some Christmas in the news this week. What could it be? Check it out here. 

Nothing new here except announcing the two books I will be reviewing in April.

Laura's Little Houses has been busy. Like I mentioned above, I'm working on a Little House on the Prairie project where I am comparing the books to the television series. Even though Michael Landon didn't bring the books to life exactly the way they were written, he always captured the essence of Laura Ingalls Wilder's stories. And as I've made my way through the books again, it is surprising how much of the books inspired what was brought to life in the show in the earlier seasons. You can read the first three posts at:

Books versus the Pilot: https://lauralittlehouseontheprairie.blogspot.com/2025/02/books-versus-tv-show-little-house-in.html 

Books versus Season 6: https://lauralittlehouseontheprairie.blogspot.com/2025/03/books-versus-tv-show-long-winter-little.html

Laura and Almanzo's courtship in the books versus the show: https://lauralittlehouseontheprairie.blogspot.com/2025/03/books-versus-tv-show-laura-and-almanzos.html 

That's it for me. I have a busy morning, but should be visiting your blogs this afternoon. 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday - Mar 3

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.     

Welcome to the first Monday of March. It is a cold one here. In an effort to bring on spring, I started my seeds indoors. I am also trying to keep the Lil' Diva's aloe vera plants alive since she forgets to water them. I brought the grow light back into my office for additional light. 

Other than that, preparing for a closing, and I spent two whole days and two half days handwriting notes to my clients to mail out their annual seed packets. It's a fun activity, but it does take me a while. Most of them will go out today. 

More photos from my week...

The snow behind our house is almost gone. We are expecting rain this week, so if it warms up for long enough, we might be done with it for a while. Of course, I feel like we will have a bit more snow before spring officially arrives. 

Picked up the Lil' Princess from the airport last night. She is home for the week! Travis was patiently waiting while I washed her comforter and pillowcases so that her bed was ready for her. 

In case you missed them, I reviewed the following books last week. 

Review here

Review here

I am reading this one.

These are next. 

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books they added to their shelves the previous week. This weekly meme is now hosted by Vicki at I'd Rather Be At The Beach. 

No new physical books, but I was approved for this book last week. You will see I reviewed it yesterday. 

Upcoming events:

• Sunset Bay by Karen Stewart - Mar 11 (First Chapter Review)
• Gitel's Freedom by Iris Mitlin Lav - Date TBD (Review) 

At Christmas Year Round I posted about The Hallmark Experience, which will be back in 2025. You can read my post here. 

At The Children's and Teens' Book Connection I reviewed one of my new NetGalley downloads. You can read the review here.

At Laura's Little Houses, I compared The Little House in the Big Woods and Little House on the Prairie to the pilot of the Little House on the Prairie show. You can read that here.  

That's it from me today. Looking forward to visiting your blogs.

Book Review: Back to the Prairie by Melissa Gilbert

 

In Melissa Gilbert's second autobiography, Back to the Prairie, fans get the chance to follow along as she and her husband buy and remodel a rustic house in the Catskills during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gilbert chronicles her life during that time, how she rediscovered--like many of us--what mattered most, how she dealt with the lockdowns and how she and her family adjusted to the new normal. 

Having read Gilbert's first autobiography, Prairie Tale, I had high hopes for this book. I found Back to the Prairie to be more relatable than her first book. And as I look back on the creation of her lifestyle brand, Modern Prairie, you can see how this change to aging gratefully developed during this time as they moved to the Cabbage, raised chickens, got back to nature, and explored cooking.

Since politics run close to Gilbert's heart, there is a fair amount of her sharing how she feels about the politics of the day and the administration in power at the time. You'll also find some cursing along the way.

Despite those things, Back to the Prairie is an enjoyable read that I am glad to add to my Little House on the Prairie collection.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Gallery Books (May 10, 2022)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1982177187
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1982177188

I purchased a copy of this book from Amazon when it came out. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way. 

Books to Film: Scene and Character Changes

As a book lover, how do you feel when scenes or characters are completely changed when the book is adapted to film? 

Take the Loves Comes Softly series. Imagine my surprise when I learned Marty Claridge's (Katherine Heigel's) husband Aaron in the film, was named Clem in Janette Oke's book, and their movie son, named Aaron Luke after his father and Marty's father, was named Claridge "Clare" Luke Davis in the book. 

As the book series continued, Marty and Clark Davis had numerous children--Arnie, Ellie, Luke, and Belinda--and adopted Nandry and Clae Larson. The only two children in the Love Comes Softly movie series were Aaron and Arnie. Though adoption played a role in the movie series, Marty and Clark did not adopt anyone. However, Clark's (Dale Midkiff's) daughter Missie (Erin Cattrell) adopts a girl named Belinda in the movie, Love's Unending Legacy. 

Everyone who is a fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder or the classic family television series, Little House on the Prairie, knows Michael Landon strayed far and wide in the TV adaptation, which divides Laura fans into two camps--show lovers and show haters. It also lead Ed Friendly to adapt a mini-series closer to the source material that aired in 2005. 

Having fallen in love with the TV movie version of Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea, it shocked me to learn how different Morgan Harris and Anne Shirley's relationship was portrayed in the books. Even Gilbert Blythe's relationship with Christine Stewart made it to film differently. 

What are some great TV/movie adaptations you've enjoyed? What are some you wished had stayed closer to the printed book material? Did any of your favorite book characters not make it onto the screen?

Wilder & Wilder on the Prairie Podcasts

 

Finished the Wilder podcast today. It is a documentary that runs for 10 episodes, plus the introductory episode. Author Glynnis MacNicol looks at Wilder's life and the Little House series through a 21st century lens, exploring...

• if the books stand the test of time,
• if they should still be read to children,
• if the flaws in Laura's narrative, like the derogatory depictions of Blacks and American Indians and the way in which Rose crafted her political messages into the Little House series, means they should be removed from bookshelves, and 
• if those who grew up reading the Little House series feel the same after reading the books as adults.

Other topics that Wilder covers are how much Rose' contributed to her mother's books, the Little House on the Prairie television series starring Michael Landon, and how Laura's books created an entire business empire that flourishes even today. Along the way, the author visited numerous historical sites and held interviews with several people, including Little House on the Prairie's Melissa Gilbert and Caroline Fraser, author of Prairie Fires. 

I also caught up this week with the Wilder on the Prairie podcast. Author Annie Kontor brings listeners back to the Little House books, each show covering one chapter in the book series. The September 11th episode covered chapter 11 from On the Banks of Plum Creek. 

This show is all about Annie's thoughts and research that tie into Laura's books. Show notes will often include photos, links to articles, videos, or recipes. Other than mentioning from time to time when offensive content might appear in a chapter, Annie focuses more on the times in which the books are set, what daily life was like, and other interesting tidbits. 

If you enjoy reviewing history through a more enlightened point of view, Wilder would be a good choice. If you're looking to learn more about Laura's life and times in which she lived, Wilder on the Prairie would be a good choice. Those performing research for school papers might also find Wilder on the Prairie helpful. 

Books for Bonnetheads: Little House Life Hacks by Angie Bailey and Susie Shubert

 

A humorous yet practical book of life lessons from the seminal Little House on the Prairie, blending Laura Ingalls Wilder’s timeless teachings with her surprisingly timely penchant for homesteading, crafting, and the lifestyle we now call Cottagecore. Little House on the Prairie was a childhood TV classic for a generation of kids, and Laura Ingalls Wilder’s novels have never gone out of style for young bookworms. Her stories of her family’s life in the 1870s offer countless gems of wisdom, and many facets of their lifestyle and the skills they relied on have become some of the hottest trends of today, from sourdough bread and modern pioneering to DIY prairie dresses and needlepoint.

Little House Life Hacks playfully compiles the most crucial takeaways from that world, practical enough to work for pioneering stock and updated for today’s evolving world. The Ingalls are the perfect reminders of what’s love, family, community, honest work, and integrity. Alongside the life advice are selected inspirational quotes from the Little House  books and show and fun pop culture tidbits (like that The Rock’s first celebrity crush was original mean girl Nellie Oleson), as well as with meaningful takeaways for creating more balance, wellness, and fun in all aspects of your life. 

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Running Press Adult (August 22, 2023)

Language ‏ : ‎ English

Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 256 pages

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0762481994

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0762481996

Release Day: Red Tail Feathers by Wendi Lou Lee

 

From the actress who starred as "Baby Grace" on the beloved series, Little House on the Prairie, comes an uplifting memoir about finding the grace of God in every chapter of life. With candor and insight, Wendi Lou Lee takes us through her early days in show business to life-changing events of adulthood, including her brain surgery in 2015. Starting with a red-tailed bird camouflaged by a shrub, Red Tail Feathers traces Wendi's reflective journey of discovering God's grace in all of life's circumstances and challenges you to do the same. 

Red Tail Feathers reminds us to keep our eyes wide open so we can recognize God's goodness as we dare to discover the beauty of grace around us. When we do, He exceeds our most wild and simple dreams. 

"The possibility of finding a sliver of goodness sends me searching for the evidence of it. If I look hard enough, I believe I can always find it."

Purchase from:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Better World Books

Indiebound

Thriftbooks

Or visit the book's page on Goodreads to find your other favorite retailer. You can visit Wendi Lou Lee at the following:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Etsy

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books on My Winter 2021 To-Read List

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

We are at Tuesday again. My how the weeks fly by. I hope you have enjoyed your reading time since we last connected. 

This week's topic is about books on my Winter 2021 To-Read List. This is always challenging, simply because I usually add books along the way that take away from what I intended to read. The life of a book lover/book blogger, right? Here are my guesses at:

Top Ten Books on My Winter 2021 To-Read List 

A good mix of historical fiction, seasonal fiction, and Little House on the Prairie titles. The other one I would really love to read this year is this one that was a First Book of the Year selection for me in 2019. Especially after watching Anne with an E, I would love to tackle this book that I have heard rave reviews about for years. 

What are some of the books on your Winter 2021 To-Read List?