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. 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday - July 17

Welcome to It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday. 

 

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 back to Monday! I hope you had a great week. We returned home on Saturday. We had a nice vacation, but I worked more than I intended. I'm already back showing houses as well. So, not as relaxing as I had hoped, but still great to get away. 

Yours truly celebrated a birthday while we were away. Some of the books you will see for Mailbox Monday were gifts from the family. Here are a few other photos from our time away. I didn't take as many as usual, because I really wanted to be present with them as much as possible.

The Queen Elizabeth II replica the night of the fireworks

The girls and me

The Elizabethan Gardens (one of Yia-Yia's favorite places on the OBX)

Theo likes to beg for attention

Happy 55th birthday to me!

This lovely necklace came from Silver Line Jewelry at the Jockey's Ridge Shops

I also received a Christmas TV water globe similar to this one 

As expected, I took advantage of down time to read. I am currently five books ahead of schedule to complete my annual Goodreads goal. 

I posted my review of this one here. It was amazing, but I expected nothing less from this author. 

I ended up not reading this one. I will start it while driving around to appointments this week. 

I started this one, but it was a bit too wordy and not as full of action as I typically enjoy. I will post a spotlight of it on August 16 at The Children's and Teen's Book Connection.

Speaking of my kid's book blog, I am working on posting more content there. The blog covers from board books up to clean young adult novels. I also share my writing updates and when I blog at the 4RV Reading, Writing, & Art News or Christian Children's Authors blog. You can find that blog at https://childrensandteensbookconnection.wordpress.com

I started this novel while we were away. My review will appear August 21st.

I am on the launch team for Wendi Lou Lee's second book. I need to start reading it. My review will appear August 18th. 

Using the Kindle app on my phone, I started this book. In this AOGG reimaging, Anne moves to the small town of Greenville with her two moms and ends up in a love triangle. It's written in first person, which can be challenging, but so far I am enjoying it.

I also started this one.

Also on my Kindle app, I came across this AOGG retelling in graphic novel form and downloaded a sample. In this version, Anne moves to an apartment building called Avon-Lea to live with the Cuthberts. She meets Diana Barry and they become good friends, but soon Anne develops more-than-friend feelings for Diana. 

Upcoming virtual book tours:

• Single Parents Rock! by Jaret Martino - July 19 (review TC&TBC)
• The Unempty Spaces Between by Louis Efron - July 20 (review)
• An Atomic Love Story: The Extraordinary Women in Robert Oppenheimer's Life by Shirley Streshinsky & Patricia Klaus - July 24 
• Come to Me by Amy W. Vogel - July 25 (review)
• The Five Watches: An Accident of Time by John York - August 4 
• Exits by Stephen C. Pollock - August 7 (review)
• Blood & Water by Linda Armstrong-Miller - August 9
• Red Tail Feathers by Wendi Lou Lee - August 18 (review)
• Sammy the Sailing Sea Turtle by Gwendol - August 16 (TC&TBC)
• Ravage & Son by Jerome Charyn - August 21 (review)
• Victoria James: And The Mysterious Case of the Chilly Willies by Elizabeth Burns August 29 (review TC&TBC)

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

The family bought me these two books for my birthday. 

When we arrived home, this book was waiting for me. I need to add this to my books to be reviewed pile. 

Phew! That was a lot. I hope you have read some wonderful books over the last week. I look forward to checking out your blogs.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday - July 10

Welcome to It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday. 

 

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, everyone! We are still on the Outer Banks. Here are a few of last week's photos.

Theo loves the beach

Kill Devil Hills Beach at sunset

View from our porch

Hanging out at a Manteo coffee shop

Local décor

Charlie Brown TV décor at The Christmas Shops

Our favorite store in Manteo

One of my favorite things about vacation is getting real reading time. It's fun to catch up on great books. I also schedule blog posts ahead of time, which makes getting back to our regular schedule easier. 

I finished this devotional for a review that will appear here on July 25. If you want to read the review early, you can find it on Goodreads.

I also finished this book. You can read my review here.

I reviewed this devotional here.

I am reading this novel now.

I am not sure if I will start listening to this one while we are away, but I might.

I need to start these two for August reviews. 

Upcoming virtual book tours:

• Becoming Flawesome by Kristina Mand-Lakhiani - July 11
• Single Parents Rock! by Jaret Martino - July 19 (review TC&TBC)
• The Unempty Spaces Between by Louis Efron - July 20 (review)
• An Atomic Love Story: The Extraordinary Women in Robert Oppenheimer's Life by Shirley Streshinsky & Patricia Klaus - July 24 
• Come to Me by Amy W. Vogel - July 25 (review)
• The Five Watches: An Accident of Time by John York - August 4 
• Exits by Stephen C. Pollock - August 7 (review)
• Blood & Water by Linda Armstrong-Miller - August 9
• Red Tail Feathers by Wendi Lou Lee - August 18 (review)
• Sammy the Sailing Sea Turtle by Gwendol - August 16 (TC&TBC)
• Ravage & Son by Jerome Charyn - August 21 (review)
• Victoria James: And The Mysterious Case of the Chilly Willies by Elizabeth Burns (review TC&TBC)

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I've been selected to join Wendi Lou Lee's Launch Team for her new memoir, Red Tail Feathers. I preordered my copy at the end of last month. She also sent along a PDF version of the book so that reviews can be ready around its mid-August release date. 

That's all from my neck of the woods. Not sure what today brings, but I will be sure to check out your blogs and the books you're reading.