I've read this book race and liked it the first time & LOVED it the 2nd ...
582077
I've read this book twice and liked it the first time & LOVED it the 2nd time.  John Searles captures the complexities of siblings within a great mystery.  I especially love that there is no black & white in the character development, but shades of gray.  Great read.
76058
I originally gave this book only 3 stars. I did so because the prose bothered me and I thought Tate was a doormat.
After six months, I just re-read the book, thinking I didn't give it a good enough chance and that maybe I'd judged it only against previous CoHo books.
Well, I have to say, I loved it the second time! I'm not sure what changed in myself to make this now a five-star read, but I was absolutely touched by this book. And the poetic structure - it's a bit out there, but I got it this time.
I'll have to schedule a re-read of Confess now, b/c I only rated it 4.
931123
I reread when Bae's a Boss. It read like my first time. I love it still. The adversities Tiny was challenged with since early in her young life Then to find love and be afraid to embrace it. The Godfrey's yes! Hurry and read.
2410734
I have a small case filled with racers life stories, and 'Feel'  is one of the best. A long time fan of Freddie Spencer and this covers it all for me. Great race descriptions and history. Also, a very introspective book, which gave some insights that I can use in my life. I did come across one typo/wrong info in it when it was written about Road Atlanta course at Elkhart Lake and that should read Road America ( our favorite course ), Road Atlanta was even talked about on the next page. But, this is nitpicking on a wonderful book. Thanks to Freddie for sharing this story.
3183128
I didn't expect to love this book as much as as I did!  liked it so much I read it a second time already. It has an interesting concept with a great twist, a well developed main character, and the writing smoothly takes you through the whole dark but fun adventure. I think I read that they might be turning this book into a movie. If they do, I'll be first in line:)
3890827
I read this a few years ago and then re-read it recently while training for IMAZ. Motivational and fun to read... Everyone's experience is completely different so there was a lot I could and could not relate to. I paired this with "Becoming an Ironman" by Thom and found both were pretty good. This one can easily be read by someone who doesn't do triathlons and they would find it just as interesting (I think).. the other book would be a snooze to someone who isn't training or wanting to train for one.
2043384
This is the second time I've read this book since I bought it, and I enjoyed it just as much the second time around. I'm wondering why the second book in the series hasn't come out yet. I'm hoping that Ms. Owens hasn't changed her mind about writing the others. This book was such a good break from all of the same ole stories about wealthy men and clueless women. This book gave strength and character back to women.
3105122
The first book in this series is engrossing to the point of having trouble laying it down. While I am a dyed in the wool Ford man, this would be a great read for anyone interested in Racing. The second book however just isn't as good as the first. This may be because Ford's performance efforts after 1970 wasn't in the forefront on the company's efforts.
387197
I first read this book as an eighth grader back in 1964.  It hooked me on racing.  Over the years, I had thought many times about rereading it.
I was very happy to see it had been reissued.  It wasn't disappointing to reread it.
If you are interested in the time period it is written about, I doubt you can find a better history.  As I read it, I was reminded of the the computer racing simulation called Grand Prix Legends which is based on the racing era of the book.
3088315
I found the first book,&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Run-Like-a-Mother-How-to-Get-Moving-and-Not-Lose-Your-Family-Job-or-Sanity/dp/0740785354/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Run Like a Mother: How to Get Moving--and Not Lose Your Family, Job, or Sanity</a>&nbsp;just after I started my running journey at the tender age of 40, by doing what most people do -- going to Google and entering mother runner.

I devoured that first book and shook my head in agreement in some parts and laughed out loud in other parts. When&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Train-Like-a-Mother-How-to-Get-Across-Any-Finish-Line-and-Not-Lose-Your-Family-Job-or-Sanity/dp/1449409865/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Train Like a Mother: How to Get Across Any Finish Line - and Not Lose Your Family, Job, or Sanity</a>&nbsp;was published, I got two books because I knew I'd be giving one away to someone along the way that needed this road-map of sorts to navigate the world of running endurance races and keeping peace on the homefront. I so identified with the co-authors that I just had to send an email thanking them for such a great read, and shared a few of the similarities I found amongst us. Since that time, I've met them -- along with other mother runners from around the country that also identify so strongly with this, for lack of a better word; community. Motherhood can be a very lonely profession at times, even though one is surrounded by the love and support of their family. The words on the pages of their books are brought to life by the candor and quick wit from both Sarah and Dimity. I was excited that they were putting out a third book, but to be honest, I was concerned that I might not enjoy it as much as the others since less of Sarah and Dimity would be on those pages.

There was absolutely no reason to be concerned. This new offering is divided into sections according to theme (e.g. Ownership: You Are a Runner; Perspective:  A Mile is a Mile; and so forth). I've been reading it in order, but I envision myself pulling out this gem time and time again (as I do with all of their books, actually) to re-read a section that speaks to me a little stronger than it did the first time I read it, or if I'm having a particular bad stretch of time -- whether it be personally, emotionally or physically. Reading about someone else who has walked in my shoes and continues to navigate life's curve balls with grace and honesty is inspiring as Dimity's essay does. Laughing along with another mother runner author who questions her physician's use of the word "jogger" as it relates to her postpartum running schedule.  Giving Nicole a virtual fist-pump, from my couch in Northern Minnesota, as I read that she realizes that she in fact IS a runner at the start of a 10K race in the middle of winter when those competitive juices start flowing and some gentlemen tries to muscle in front of her.  Every mom I know can identify with Meredith's hard work ethic that gets her through training for and finishing an Ironman because "she's not really a runner, she just tries really hard." How many of us discount our accomplishments because we don't fit the traditional mold of what society (or our own preconceived notion) holds as the definition or picture of a runner?

Sarah and Dimity have done again what they do so well in each of their books as well as their blog and podcast.  They celebrate our accomplishments, lift us up when we are in doubt, and provide the support that we may or may not have in our actual communities to lace up our shoes, get out the door and as Dimity says so eloquently, "Don't think, Just Go!"  A must-read for all.
4748990
I had already read Vera Nazarian's stunning and memorable "Cobweb Bride" trilogy prior to learning about The Atlantis Grail series so was eager to read more of her stories.  Reading the summary / synopsis here at Amazon was enough to draw me in. But from there I stepped into whole new territory.

Like a lot of dedicated book-lovers, I have a fairly long list of books I have read and re-read. Some I would re-read annually (like The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings), some I would re-read whenever the mood struck. I can even recall a few that I re-read immediately after finishing them the first time. But "Qualify" (and it's only current sequel "Compete" while we eagerly await the release of the next book in the series, "Win") took me into a whole new realm of obsession. I raced through Qualify, dove into Compete, and then immediately jumped back and re-read them both again. And then again. And then *again*. I re-read both books 7 times before I could finally force myself to pick up a new book. And I'm still doing it.

Yet, it's difficult for me to say why these books gripped me and wouldn't let go. Yes, Gwen's siblings are very well drawn, with distinct personalities and pretty realistic family dynamics given the end-of-the-world scenario. The 'extended family' that forms around Gwen - Logan (a boy she's crushed on for years), Blayne (a handicapped boy with incredible fortitude), Laronda (a wise-cracking, fun and loyal friend) - and several others bring their own twists and issues to the story. And the Atlantean characters, particularly Aeson, Oalla and Xelio, lured me in with a desire to learn more about them.

On the other hand, sometimes picky little things in the writing annoyed me. Sometimes the characters' personalities or behavior annoyed me, or I found them unrealistic. As the story develops and the competition intensifies I found some of the situations or results very unbelievable (for example, ***SPOILER***, when only 200 people out of over 6000 in Gwen's Regional Qualification Center can make it through the semi-finals, all 12 people in Gwen's family / friends group make it. Of course I *wanted* them all to come through, but statistically I just had to roll my eyes and say "Oh c'mon...")

As for Gwen herself, it's been a long time since I've been a teen-aged girl but I often found myself wanting to just give her a good kick in the butt. She is smug about her brains, but has zero self-esteem in other areas. She is a creative, almost brilliant quick-thinker who nonetheless has put up with being bullied for years, 'til I want to shout "Stand up for yourself, girl!". Brave and almost pushy - even where she's sometimes not wanted - when she believes someone needs help, yet almost cringing when confronted with physical tasks she thinks are beyond her, or bullying. Often nearly giving up, but somehow soldiering on.

So, why did these books grip me to the point of re-reading them endlessly and obsessively waiting for the next book in the series? Unquestionably, Ms. Nazarian has an incredible talent for creating a story filled with moments of quick, creative brilliance, plot twists that I did not see coming, and a story that draws you in with every new development. But I guess in the end it's the characters, the crazy, contradictory, ultimately very real people with all their faults, all their strengths and weaknesses that made me want to shout at them, hug them, support them, push them, shake them, and even fall in love with them (Xelio and Aeson, all I can say is wow!) that make this first book in the series so enthralling. The third book, Win cannot come too soon!
1369663
I read a lot, but I can probably count on one hand the number of times I've gone back & reread a book. This is a book that I definitely want to read again. When I finished reading that last page, I felt like I'd just gotten off an emotional rollercoaster. This book made me feel more alive somehow, & the idea of getting back in that seat to experience it a second time is very appealing.
3222643
I have really enjoyed both of Dane's books. This book provides both interesting race reviews for races all over the country (and abroad) as well as matter of fact advice/tips about running. Dane provides readers with good descriptions of race courses, personal stories about his adventures, and humorous opinions on a variety of topics. He also writes a pretty darn funny footnote (so don't skip them!). I would recommend this book to those who like running or reading about running and those who like reading about people who don't allow life to happen to them but create the life they want.
2460076
I just reread this book and it was better the second time because I was reading at a slower pace and read things I missed the first time. I love fantasy and this book provided some of that with vamps and were-people like Bader.  The writing had a few misspelled words but the descriptions and plot of the story was well written. I would like to think there will be another book with Marlee and Rune at some future date. I would like to read about Marlee's additional animal spirits and more about her father's ancestors. That would round out the story line better since this was only touched on but never really explained this time.
2725488
I really enjoyed it and even read it again recently and enjoyed it just as much as the first time.
754977
I loved this book moreso after reading it a second time! I need Ms. Taylor to start a sequel series (if that makes sense lol) because she cannot just end it like that
3053707
I first saw this book at Starbucks and picked it up to find out what it was all about.  A book about car racing, told from the perspective of a dog?  Now, I like car racing a lot and I like dogs a lot, but that just sounded far too hokey to me; after all, I read serious stuff, right?

Then, my mother told me she read the book and that she thought I might enjoy it.  That was the final straw.  I had to read the book just to prove to myself that it couldn't possibly be good.  (An admittedly odd reason to read a book, but given the result, one I may pursue again).

I loved it.

Garth Stein obviously knows dogs and racing.  The whole book is filled with details about both that show his understanding of his subjects on a fairly deep level.  Further, he knows something about life, and that's where this book really shines.  Stein has - in a completely non-hokey way - used car racing metaphors to illustrate truisms about life.  As a fan of racing, I particularly enjoyed the analogies, but I think the metaphors are just as accessible to non-fans.  Stein keeps the ideas simple and explains them well, there isn't any jargon that would cause non-fans to lose anything in translation.

Stein also uses the unique access of a "stupid dog" to situations his human characters don't get to witness as a great story-telling hook.  Our canine narrator, Enzo, gets to go places his master, Denny, doesn't, hearing and seeing things for the reader that move the story along quite nicely.  Again, it's an aspect of the book that could have gone over the top, but is instead used effectively by Stein and turned into a really good book.

Take it from a skeptic turned believer.  This is a book with some really good insights into life that is also a very enjoyable read.  Highly recommended.