Book Review- Melissa Gilbert's Back to the Prairie: A Home Remade, a Life Rediscovered

Thank you to AudibleFM and Simon & Schuster Audio for a copy of Melissa Gilbert’s memoir, Back to the Prairie: A Home Remade, A Life Rediscovered.

Veteran actress Melissa Gilbert’s latest memoir focuses on her most recent decade or so, when she met her third husband, Timothy Busfield, and they decided to leave their life in Hollywood behind, buying a house in the countryside of upstate New York. Although they both still work in the film industry, a majority of their life has taken on a quieter, simpler tone, as they grow their own food and raise chickens on their modest property. This situation had them perfectly set up for isolation and self-sufficiency during the pandemic, but also left them reflective as realized how much they miss connecting with friends and family.

As a kid growing up in the 80’s, I was a huge fan of Little House on the Prairie. When I saw this book on offer, I was curious about Gilbert’s current life and the meaning of the title. She has indeed, created a modern version of a prairie lifestyle and she seems very content. I most enjoyed her interactions with animals, including a story of a friendly bear visiting their property. Back to the Prairie made me wish that I could raise chickens in my neighborhood, as they seem delightful.

I wouldn’t expect anyone other than Gilbert to provide the narration, but I must confess that I found Gilbert’s voice to be a little grating. It was strange, but the real Gilbert gave-off the Laura Ingall’s vibe, a bit “Pollyanna”. I don’t means this as a total negative, as I can appreciate positivity and enthusiasm, but ilso left me listening in short spurts, alternating with other audio books.

The most lovely take-away from Back to the Prairie was an admiration for Gilbert’s ability to make big life changes. Not only did she move away from her Hollywood lifestyle and attempt new skills, such as many DIY house projects, she let go of many trappings of her previous life. Gilbert and Busfield even had a major sale of their treasure possessions, such as Gilbert’s bonnet from Little House on the Prairie. I’ve recently looked through objects from my childhood and many things, I still could not part with. I think it takes guts to let-go. Gilbert also candidly admits to financial stress and the challenges of aging, especially for a woman who has spent so much time in the spotlight. She has a great perspective on growing older and adapting. is the perfect pick for someone who is facing major life changes and needs a dose of encouragement.

Book Review- Kate William's Never Coming Home

I work for an independent bookstore and on my most recent shift, I asked my coworker about their recent reads. She told me about Kate William’s Never Coming Home, which she described as a modern-day take on Agatha Christie’s novel, And Then There Were None. I was sold. Never Coming Home was sitting on our break room ARC bookcase, a perk that I’ve previously avoided, as I have million book commitments, but the concept of Never Coming Home was intriguing, so I borrowed it for the weekend.

Never Coming Home starts with ten social media influencers, all under the age of twenty-one, who are invited on an all-inclusive vacation to a island resort called “Unknown Island.” For months, “Unknown Island” had been heavily advertised on social media and each of the influencers feels that they are very special by being the first chosen to have this experience.

When they arrive on the Island, they find the last of the staff leaving and the hotel in disrepair. It is far from the promised luxury experience. With the exception of a creepy computer in the main lobby that provides updates of the island and its guests, the influencers have their internet access cut off. At breakfast, they are each given an envelop with a message, calling them each out for being a murderer. Paranoid and upset, the influencers are confused about how to proceed, when the first among them dies. One by one, they are picked-off in ways that are foreshadowed by the computer messages. Can they figure out the culprit, before the all are killed?

Never Coming Home definitely has shades of Christie’s And Then There Were None, and if you are familiar with Christie’s work, it’s fun to see it all play out, including being able to guess the murderer. The modern updates with social media influencers worked well and this is squarely a YA novel. I don’t often read YA and when I borrowed the book, I didn’t realize that it was YA, but as a bookseller, I found it to be a good opportunity to read a new novel in this very popular genre.

The story isn’t quite as seamless as Christie’s version. Especially as the story progresses, I found an increasing need to utilize suspension of disbelief. Although I love the island setting, I think a simpler setting would have been more believable. Also, some of the murders worked better than others, seemed more plausible. This said, I sailed through book during a snowy afternoon and I enjoyed the ride. I suspect that my teenage stepchildren would find Never Coming Home appealing and I could see this being turned into a feature film or limited series.

Book Review- Delia Ephron's Left on Tenth: A Second Chance at Life

Thank you to LibroFM and Hachette Audio for an audio version of Delia Ephron’s memoir, Left on Tenth: A Second Chance at Life.

Delia Ephron, the youngest sister in the famous writing/show biz Ephron family, has written a memoir that is primarily focused on finding late-in-life love and facing the same type of leukemia that killed her beloved sister, Nora.

Left on Tenth begins with the loss of Ephron’s husband Jerry, whom she had been married to for nearly forty years. This monumental loss and life change sent Ephron into a deep grief as she learned to cope with her post-Jerry life. After writing an article on her loss, she is contacted by Peter, a psychiatrist living in California, who felt a connection to Ephron’s grief, having lost his own wife. Even more surprising, Peter had been on a date with Ephron when they were in College, which Ephron did not remember. They reconnect through emails, which eventually progress to phone calls, and quickly, a meet-up in person. Their connection is magnetic and their courtship is brief, as they decide to get married and Peter moves to New York to be with Ephron. They are both in their early 70’s and eager to enjoy their time together.

Soon after marriage, Ephron is diagnosed with the same aggressive leukemia that killed her older sister, plunging her into a long battle with cancer, which also coincided with the pandemic. Newly married, their life is once again, turned upside down with illness, fear, and uncertainty.

Left on Tenth is a heartfelt memoir on taking chances on love and the importance of the relationships we develop with others. In Ephron’s case, this goes beyond her husband and family, to include deep friendships. She never had children, but she plays a mother-like role to several young women in her life, bonds that she holds dear. I come from a very small family and I saw this play out when my aunt and uncle, who did not have children, grew older. Their friends became a vital part of their care and connection to the wider world. It made me keenly aware of the need to cherish and grow all of the relationships in our lives, especially when times are good. We need to show up for each other.

The audio book is read by Ephron, which I appreciated. Hearing her tell her own story added an important dynamic. Despite being heavy with intense situations, Ephron also has a keen sense of humor, which shines through in both her writing and vocal intonation. A memorable scene includes her frustrations with a phone company in the wake of her husband’s death. As someone who has had to handle the affairs of several deceased loved ones, I can relate to the ridiculous and mind-numbing frustrations that occur when closing out accounts.

I highly recommend Left on Tenth. It’s a reminder that although life can be harsh and unfair, there are also wondrous and beautiful moments especially those found through connections with others. Also, don’t sell yourself short, as incredible things can and do happen at all stages in life, including new relationships, new adventures, and new projects. Life does not happen on a preset timeline.