★Butler, Dean. Prairie Man: My Little House Life & Beyond. Citadel. Jun. 2024. 288p. ISBN 9780806543291. $28. MEMOIR

This book was published to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the 1974–83 TV series Little House on the Prairie. Butler, who starred as Laura Ingalls Wilder’s husband, Almanzo, pens a memoir to go with Melissa Gilbert’s Prairie Tale and Karen Grassle’s Bright Lights, Prairie Dust. Born in Canada in 1956 but a fifth-generation Californian, he believes that being raised to be polite helped him land the beloved TV role at 23. He acknowledges his devotion to the series that made him famous, but he doesn’t shy away from addressing controversies surrounding the show or the children’s books on which it was based. That includes his on-screen kiss with his TV wife, played by a then-15-year-old Gilbert, and author Laura Ingalls Wilder’s negative depiction of Indigenous peoples. He is also forthcoming about misogyny and sexual harassment in Hollywood. VERDICT Butler adeptly chronicles his trajectory into television, film, and Broadway and as a producer, and he’s candid about his personal and career achievements and missteps. He is as charming a writer as an actor. Fans will enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at his life and career.—Denise Miller

★John, Elton. Farewell Yellow Brick Road: Memories of My Life on Tour. Hyperion Avenue. Sept. 2024. 256p. ISBN 9781368099165. $55. MEMOIR

This companion piece to John’s farewell world tour is the ultimate concert program for one of the most popular musical artists of all time. Filled with wonderful images from the final tour, along with rare photos documenting John’s 50+ year career, the book shines with its full display of nostalgic imagery. John covers many of the key venues and concerts of his final tour, which lasted from 2018 to 2023, with several COVID-related interruptions. His narrative entries discuss not only those concerts but also a multitude of memories of specific venues throughout his career. John discusses the highs and lows of touring life, the physical rigors and ailments that can arise (and did), his passionate involvement in several causes—the Elton John AIDS Foundation, for example—and how certain songs resonate in particular countries. Interspersed throughout the book are brief sections featuring John’s band, his legendary costumes, the stage show, tour merchandise, celebrity tributes, and even fan memories. What comes through most of all is John’s undying love and appreciation for the fans who made his career possible. VERDICT A must-have for fans and a fitting tribute to an amazing artist.—Peter Thornell