The Little Horse Who Could

My sister Joanne is hosting this month's meeting of our book club, The Bookmarkers. She chose Seabiscuit: An American Legend for our book discussion. I wasn't too excited about reading this book, but I got a copy anyway and commenced to read. I could hardly put it down. 

It's a wonderful account of the spunky little Thoroughbred with crooked legs whom Fate put together with just the right team of owner, trainer, and jockeys to become an American hero.

While reading this book, especially the race scenes, I was reminded of my third-grade teacher, Mrs. Layfield. Each year, Mrs. L. read her classes The Black Stallion books. Right after lunch, we'd sit back or put our heads on our desks and listen to the exciting adventures of the wild black horse and his boy Alec. I don't remember a great deal about these stories. But one day's reading sticks in my mind. The scene was a race in which the Black was running. Reading hour was usually a quiet and drowsy time for us, but this day, while Mrs. L. read the length-by-length account of the race, we were on our feet, cheering the Black on. Mrs. L. never admonished us to be quiet or get back in our seats. She just read on, painting word pictures in our minds, until the Black crossed the finish line.

BOOKS O'PLENTY

Our favorite thing to do at the beach is read. Vann and I were both pretty much out of reading material, so yesterday we made a run to Books-a-Million. Vann got four books in W.E.B. Griffin's "Presidential Agent" series. I found an older book by Dean Koonts, Watchers, that looked interesting, and Wally Lamb's I Know This Much Is True. I started the Koontz book last night. I love books with doggie heros, which this one is. 

Gotta go now. Lots to do to get ready for the beach. I'm sorry I'm going to miss book club and the Seabiscuit discussion. But it's a small price to pay for a week on the coast.

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This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 05/06/2009, Pat said ...

Just thanking you for being a follower on my blog! I enjoy reading yours so much - so many interesting areas. Love of books! Hope you enjoy(ed) your trip to the beach!

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On 05/06/2009, Ramey Channell said ...

I'll be interested to see what you think of the Wally Lamb book I found him to be one of the most tiresome, self-indulgent, uninspired and untalented writers I've ever encountered. I thought the book was a waste of time.
Ramey Channell

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On 05/06/2009, Nicole said ...

I laughed out loud reading Ramey's comment above. When I saw that you were going to read Wally Lamb, I thought much the same thing! Tell us what you really think Ramey!
Have a wonderful time at the beach Susan, and happy reading!

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On 05/06/2009, Barbara Anne said ...

I loved the Black Stallion books, too! I remember my favorites were The Island Stallion, and The Island Stallion Races, and they were written, if memory serves, by Walter Farley.

There's a vague memory of a movie about Seabiscuit from long ago.

Have a wonderful time at the beach!!

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On 05/06/2009, Janet said ...

Have a great time at the beach! I love to read too but must confess that I haven't completed much lately. Maybe too much blog reading......? We're leaving on a trip soon too so I will take one of those that I've started along though it's always fun to go to the bookstore and look for something new!

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On 05/06/2009, Nancy said ...

Wow...Honestly it looks like you took a picture of my bookshelf. With very few variations we have exactly the same books. Including the Harry Potter Books and Scarlett. If I'm not mistaken I can see the edge of Stephen King's non fiction book 'On Writing' too, lol. Though I mine is a prepublication edition still the same book. Only big difference is that I have 3 shelves of Stephen King and that's just the beginning, (I used to work in a book store and I didn't bring home much of my wages, LOL) Have you read any of Jennifer Chiaverini's Elm Creek Quilt series? Completely different genre but fun listening to them on audio when I'm quilting. I do love quilting but I can't imagine what a dull life it would be without books to 'escape' into. Great post!!! Thanks for sharing the picture.

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On 05/06/2009, Heather Andrus said ...

I need to get into reading again, it is on my rotation of crafts/quilting/decorating/cleaning/reading...etc!

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On 05/07/2009, Kelee Katillac said ...

Hi Susan!

Lucky YOU at the beach and READING! I love all horse books....raised on them! And love the fabric postcard!

Love it when you visit The Katillac Shack!

love, kelee

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On 05/08/2009, carol fun said ...

Hope you have a wonderful time at the beach! Sitting and reading by the water is my idea of a great vacation. And I loved your account of your teacher reading to you. I have memories like that too, but I don't think that either of my boys (24 and 19) had those kinds of experiences in school. Everything is so prescribed and scheduled, there is no time just to sit and listen and get carried away by the power of the printed word. I can't imagine a life without books, but it seems that now days everything is sound bites and websites. Thanks for taking me back for a moment -- Enjoy your vacation

carol fun

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On 05/08/2009, Clare said ...

Reading at the beach - what could be better! Enjoy!
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