OK So I did not care for it..

[poltroon]

I've been wondering if anyone has read Turning for Home, by Sarah Challis, which sounded kind of interesting.

[Rt66Kix]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by EBO:
Rt66Kix--If you don't do subplots, don't ever, ever read Gabaldon. I love subplots, especially when led to by seeming digressions!


I don't mind subplots, but this book seemed to have TOO many. Clive Cussler is one of my favorite writers, and he has a lot of subplots, too. He ties seemingly unrelated threads all together at the last part of the book.

Maybe I'll try to read it again. It seemed dry and cumbersome, but maybe I'd have a different take on it the second time around.

I love Rita Mae Brown's books; my favorite being Riding Shotgun. I wish she'd do a sequel to that! Her foxhunting books are just great.

[Sing Mia Song]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by poltroon:
I couldn't stand Martha Grimes' The Brave Maurice either. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Just returned it to the library after slogging my way through half of it. Just. Not. Interested.

I also just finished a book that was so unmemorable, I can't remember the name. Horse Sense? By Bert Sugar. Supposed to be a non-fiction overview of The Characters of Horse Racing, but so, so filled with inaccuracies and misspellings! It had lists of things like "Top Money-winning Jockeys," and it would have the completely wrong first name for a well-known jockey (like "Gerry Stephens" instead of Gary Stevens). I can't remember the other examples, but for a guy who was supposed to be an acclaimed sportswriter, he certainly had limited knowledge of the game.

For the record, I, too, despised both Riding Lessons (she needed a whack with Aunt Esther's purse--the only time I empathized with her was when she chewed out the obnoxious boarder, but she ruined it by backing down!) and the Michael Korda book.

[Beat1000Breeds]

Is this the book with the chesnut striped horse???

[Sara Gruen]

Yes, Beat1000Breeds, it is.

I have pictures of brindle horses on my Web site: http://www.saragruen.com/brindled.htm

If anyone cares to read my response to Sannois, it is here: http://chronicleforums.com/groupee/f.../129209577/p/3

I'm sorry that so many of you were disappointed with my book.

[HHG-N]

Heck, i thought it was very entertaining.

[abrant]

Actually, in the course of reading and posting in this thread (and "working" hehehe) I started and finished Flying Changes. I liked it much much much better than Riding Lessons. Riding Lessons, I admit, left me a little short, but AnneMarie got a lot more likeable in this book and I think she is growing as a character. I would like to see Eva grow a little bit... or be forced to grow by her family. (I didn't have to go train to be an Olympian when I was bad!!!) I do like the mom character, almost wish she was more prominent.

I liked at the end how there was an impression that AnneMarie was growing away from her odd compulsion with the horse.

I guess it's just that I am the world's biggest neurotic drama queen who makes bad choices. LoL. Who dare take my crown.

~Adrienne

[GoneAwayFarmCT]

&gt;&gt;has anyone read the Perfect Distance?? I saw it in the Chronicle today.. was thinking about asking for it for christmas... any opinions??&lt;&lt;

The author posts here sometimes. I haven't read PERFECT DISTANCE yet, but it's gotten some fantastic reviews and I've liked her other books very much. It's definitely on my 'to buy' list, and a few friends will be getting it for Christmas

[ExRacer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by SuzieQ:
ExRacer-Do you know how many Galloping Dectective books there were total? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

As far as I know there are seven... Triple Threat, Tight Spot, Collision Course, Double Danger, False Lead, Near Miss, and High Stakes. That's the collection I have, at least. I'm pretty sure it stopped with High Stakes (#7).

[FlightCheck]

I just finished "Flying Changes".

Yes, I liked it better than "Riding Lessons", which is not saying much because I did NOT like AnneMarie in RL at all - thought she was too hyper-reactive for somene my age.

I did like the fact that she's a bit better in FC....but I don't like horse books where "there's only one rider who can ride this horse, and they are perfect together from the start..." and of course the switching from a 2** to Jumpers and the "dropping the left hand for salute" in dressage...(picky, picky I know!)

[abrant]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Luvinfoofy:
Oh boy...

When Jane described her sitting up high on the Irish Bank in a lawn chair, with a handful of ponyclubbers circling below.. that is what put me over the edge. Yep, it is her! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

LoL. I almost ate dirt once because a gust of wind caught her famous chair and spooked the beejuzus out of the mare I was riding.

[QUOTEWas the book reading at one of the smaller independent bookstores? [/QUOTE]
Nah, it was at the Brunnier art museum. Must have been my sophmore year. 2002?

I've been thinking about the fun of being even partly involved with those people. The PC DC in Cedar Rapids was a total wannabe and it was through her that I ended up on that decrepit old thoroughbred. LoL. I ended up riding there because my trainer moved there. She sold the mare I was riding and I ended up on their lesson horses. Oh my goodness. I'm out there jumping these INSANE homemade cross country jumps on some horse they found in someone's backyard. Even at 14 it's scary to have your life flash before your eyes! I have some pictures. I rode this horse in most of my lessons... neither my mom and I can remember his name because we referred to him simply as "Ugly".

I did actually take some lessons with the woman herself. That is, until my mom pointed out how crazy it was to pay $30 for a half hour riding with 8 other students on a borrowed horse. Fair point Mom

Did you ever go in the Jesus trailer? I've never been able to get a full account out of anyone who had ever been in there. &lt;g&gt;

Gosh, I totally understand why she couldn't help but write a book about them. LoL. I actually would LOVE to write about my first horsey job... but I should wait until the old man dies. But even with that, people would see it as too insane to be good fiction. I've run through the cast of characters with people and their eyes go blank... they think I'm joking but can't be sure.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">So since we're pretty much the same person, if you ever make it back to Ames - lets have lunch.. mmmkay??? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Absolutely. Speaking of Ames, I am SORELY tempted to have to you go to the horsebarns and demand to know where Shannon is. LoL. She will foal in Feburary or March and I need a first hand account. You know, walk in. Ask for Angela. Say "I'm Adrienne's twin. WHERE'S SHANNON?!"

&lt;g&gt; She might give you a job.

~Adrienne

[Luvinfoofy]

haha.. I don't remember who the DC would have been at that time - but I'm sure I knew her. Often my ponyclub would send me up to TRPC to join their rally teams because I enjoyed meeting all of the new people. Lots of interesting people!

I have so many scary memories from that farm, too. As a 7y/o I remember being put on a grey mare named Rosey (or something..) because it would be cute for Rose to ride Rosey in this schooling show thing. Well, she had a horrible gash in her hind leg, and I did my best to fix it up, though nobody would help me. She was sound, but I rode Intro 1 and 2 dressage tests, and I don't think I could get that stinkin' arab (I have one, I can say that!) to walk ONCE! Well in a walk trot test, walking is pretty important. In fact, I'm pretty sure there wasn't very much trotting, either. Did you know it IS possible to get a 0 on a dressage movement???? I wish I had pictures, but atleast I have the 2 test sheets from the show to look back upon, man, it was horrible!

I'm not sure that I remember the Jesus Trailer, I did however, spend a week in the trainer's house..... I've never seen so much stuff or so many animals!!(That is a whole 'nother story!!) I have so many stories about the place... so many WONDERFUL people and so many freaking CRAZY people.. I guess it evens out!!

I'm sure there are people reading this who know exactly who I'm talking about, or who are children or previous students of said trainer.. so don't be offended.. I really liked the woman, as wild as she was!


I can go peek on Shannon sometime if you really want me to. People around here already know that I'm weird, so what difference does it make??? I actually emailed Angela after talking to you about working there, and she said she had enough people for next semester, but she'd get ahold of me if anyone backed out. I should be around most of the summer, so I think I might see if they need help then.

[Mao]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by FlightCheck:
I just finished "Flying Changes".

...but I don't like horse books where "there's only one rider who can ride this horse, and they are perfect together from the start..." </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hello FlightCheck and all,

The personality of the Nokota horse in Flying Changes - Smoky Joe - is loosely based upon the adventures of a real-life Nokota. Back when Sara first decided to use a Nokota as her main 'horse' character - I had many exchanges with her about the shenanigans of this particular horse.

Sara incorporated some of his quirks into the book, including the time he jumped a combination fence in a one, single bound - much to everyone's amazement.

The 'real' Nokota in question also passed hands through several owners because no-one could manage him. He finally ended up with an accomplished trainer who was able to start him undersaddle. But to this day, if this Nokota does NOT like his rider - he'll toss them. No matter how talented/experienced the rider. Conversely, he is very well-behaved with his owner, a relative beginner. This horse has the classic "war pony" personality found in some Nokotas. He's quite a character and an amazing jumper (though perhaps not Olympic caliber in real life!!!!)

So, I guess this is a case where the truth is stranger than fiction. Personally, I enjoyed both Riding Lessons and Flying Changes and wish Sara the best of luck with both. She's a very nice lady and has generously donated her time and money to various horse charity causes - now including the Nokota Horse Conservancy.

And personally, I was tickled to pieces that Sara mentioned me in the Acknowledgements Page of Flying Changes!

Margaret Odgers

[Reynard Ridge]

MAO! Glad to see you!

How about if I put in a shameless plug for "Dressage Riders Survival Guide" as a lovely Christmas gift or stocking stuffer ?

[Reynard Ridge]

And a note to Sara G., reading reviews has GOT to be one of the hardest things about publishing. Let's face it, once we turn 3 and get past the universal appeal of "Good Night Moon" there are going to be a group of people who don't like what we write.

Interestingly, one of the things I have realized in reading this thread is that it is SO important to not take reviews personally. If you are going to put your words out there, people are going to tell you what they think. So, you have to take the good and the bad with a smile and thank them for their time.

In my opinion, of course.

[Sara Gruen]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Reynard Ridge:
So, you have to take the good and the bad with a smile and thank them for their time.

In my opinion, of course. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I actually do--I addressed this in the other thread, but in a nutshell I defend anyone's right to dislike (or even hate) my books.

Of course, I also defend anyone's right to like (or even love) my books.

[ESG]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by KeeptheChange86:
&lt;snip&gt;......... I've also liked angstily cheesy novels. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

<span class="ev_code_GREEN">I think "angstily cheesy" should be an official new COTH description. Good one! </span>

[ESG]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Rt66Kix:
I love Rita Mae Brown's books; my favorite being Riding Shotgun. I wish she'd do a sequel to that! Her foxhunting books are just great. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Me too! I need to get another copy. Lent mine to a "friend" who claimed she returned it, when she didn't. Oh, well - there's always Amazon.com!

[Mao]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Reynard Ridge:
MAO! Glad to see you!

How about if I put in a shameless plug for "Dressage Riders Survival Guide" as a lovely Christmas gift or stocking stuffer ? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hey Reynard Ridge - you just plug away!!! And thanks.

Another thing regarding Sara's books that I saw mentioned here - I know she had no control over the art-design of the covers. In fact, she tried, without success, to have the publisher use a Nokota on the cover of Flying Changes. But apparently images of American Saddlebreds and/or Arabians are the most appealing to the general public. Nothing wrong with that - just thought I'd mention it.

Anyway, again, I sincerely liked both books. And although I could be accused of some bias, I did read and enjoyed Riding Lessons long before she decided to use a Nokota in Flying Changes. I think the style of the books are somewhat "Danielle Steele-ish"?? (I've only read a few of DS titles, though - so I could be off-base there.) And I found Annemarie's character actually quite funny.

Cheers,
Margaret

[ExRacer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> I think "angstily cheesy" should be an official new COTH description. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I agree, ESG. I just might have to include that in the next paper I write.