I grew up with Little House on the Prairie. I felt for Mary when she lost her glasses. I fell in love with Almanzo right along with Laura. Most of all, though, I hated Nellie Oleson, who represented all the bullies in my little world. I only wished I could handle my bullies as well as Laura handled hers. Confessions of a Prairie B**ch is Alison Arngrim’s story of what it was like growing up playing one of the most hated characters in America. She shares how Nellie transformed her from a shy little girl to a self-confident young woman, willing to face the very real demons in her life.

If you are looking for a typical Hollywood tell-all, this is not that book. She thoroughly covers her time on the Little House set, but her memories are surprisingly positive. She mostly limits the dirt to the discussion of her own life, the trials she’s faced and the lessons she’s learned, telling her story with such wit and style that you’ll find yourself wanting to be friends with this woman who looks so much like a childhood enemy. As the title indicates, her language can be raunchy, but her story and her viewpoint are inspiring.