Laura Ingalls Wilder: A Biography

Laura Ingalls Wilder: A Biography. William Anderson. 2007. HarperCollins. 256 pages. Source: Betterworldbooks.com

First sentence: When Laura Ingalls was born in the state of Wisconsin, the land there was still raw and wild.

Plot: From her pioneer days on the prairie to her golden years with her husband, Almanzo, and their daughter, Rose, Laura Ingalls Wilder has become a friend to all who have read about her adventures. This behind-the-scenes account chronicles the real events in Laura's life that inspired her to write her stories and also describes her life after the last Little House book ends.

My thoughts: I didn't know there were so many books about Laura Ingalls Wilder!  I loved all the pictures included in this one.  I found my self from the moment Laura was a little girl in The Big Woods comparing her to the Laura of her own series.  It made me chuckle because I feel she did a good job at describing herself.  I had a hard time with the Little House books because I had seen the series on television and kept those images of Ma and Pa and the girls in my brain.  I like these images much better. 

This is the first biography I have read on LIW and had no idea that she was so widely traveled. Or that her daughter Rose is the one who encouraged her to begin writing. Or that she wrote in the Missouri Ruralist (which is still in print). OR helped to start a land mortgage company... She was one busy lady with helping Manley on the farm too!  And we ladies whine about the long list of "little" things we have to do. LOL!

Laura and Manley had a rough beginning.  Losing their infant son, their home burning, losing their crop to drought, and the storm that flattened their bumper crop!  Then they came to Missouri!  Things began to look up...

I'm finding myself wanting me to tell your Laura's story! :)  But I think this is a great read and that you will enjoy it as well.

Tuesdays With Morrie

Tuesdays with Morrie. Mitch Albom. Doubleday Books. August 1997. 192 pages. Source: Betterworldbooks.com

First sentence: Mitch Albom, the books narrator, recalls his graduation from Brandeis University in the spring of 1979.

Plot: Maybe it was a grandparent, or a teacher or a colleague. Someone older, patient and wise, who understood you when you were young and searching, and gave you sound advice to help you make your way through it. For Mitch Albom, that person was Morrie Schwartz, his college professor from nearly twenty years ago.

Maybe, like Mitch, you lost track of this mentor as you made your way, and the insights faded. Wouldn't you like to see that person again, ask the bigger questions that still haunt you? 

Mitch Albom had that second chance. He rediscovered Morrie in the last months of the older man's life. Knowing he was dying of ALS - or motor neurone disease - Mitch visited Morrie in his study every Tuesday, just as they used to back in college. Their rekindled relationship turned into one final 'class': lessons in how to live.

My thoughts: Dying with grace.  If we are unfortunate enough to linger on this earth in a state of deterioration before we pass this man should be a role model for our last days.  Though the subject matter was not a pleasant one it was heartwarming to witness albeit second hand Morrie's last days.

I would recommend this book for as early as young adults and up.

This Life I Live

This Life I Live. Rory Feek. February 14, 2017. Thomas Nelson. 252 pages. Source (Audio library book).

First sentence: I am famous.

Plot: Joey and Rory Feek were enjoying a steadily growing fan base in country music when Joey was diagnosed unexpectedly with a rapidly spreading cancer. This vibrant and beautiful young woman would soon be on a unique journey for which no one is ever fully prepared. Her husband, Rory, and children, Heidi, Hopie, and Indiana, were beside her each step of the way. Rory, a prolific songwriter, entrepreneur, farmer, and overall tender man, has seen God bless his life in countless unexpected ways and had started a blog, thislifeilive.com, not really knowing its purpose other than he needed to write. That purpose soon became clearer when Joey’s cancer battle hit.

By inviting so many into the final months of Joey’s life, this astounding couple captured the hearts of millions with their powerful love story, the manner in which they were handling the diagnosis, and the inspiring simple way they had chosen to live their lives.

In this vulnerable book, Rory takes us into his own challenging life story and shows what can happen when God brings both his presence and the right companion into our lives. He also gives never-before-revealed details on what he calls “the long goodbye,” the blessing of being able to know that life is going to end and taking advantage of it. Feek shows how we all are actually there already and how we can learn to live that way every day. He then goes into detail toward the end of the book on what it’s like to try to move on with your life once you’ve “had it all.”

My thoughts: Rory is famous for loving his wife.  This is true!  He showed the world just what Joey meant to him.  We often look at famous people as "having it all" not really thinking about just where they came from or what they've been through.  Rory starts this book by telling his personal history, before he gave his life to the Lord and met Joey.

Most of his childhood I could relate to.  Mine was very similar so I felt my heart aching for him.  I was so happy that the Lord gave him this beautiful understanding young woman to love.  It is an amazing love story!