The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein - anybody read it? other recs?

VroomGrrl · 03-05-2009, 09:49 AM

"The Art of Racing in the Rain" was recommended to me by a racer friend, and when I found myself with some time to relax, I picked up a copy and read it - and completely enjoyed it.

Anybody else read it? Thoughts?

Got any recommendations for other works of fiction set around racing?

I also love a good road trip book - "Investment Biker" comes to mind. That was a good one. Anyone have recommendations for other road trip stories?

onlycafe · 03-05-2009, 09:57 AM

i think that was the subject of a thread titled "pelican recommended book" some months ago. i am awaiting its arrival at the library. when i was about eleven or twelve i remember reading a book by henry gregor felsen about a kid and his first car, i think it was called "hot rod". it had a definite effect on me.

Rikao4 · 03-05-2009, 10:01 AM

run Enzo ...run..
loved the book...

Rika

Rot 911 · 03-05-2009, 10:15 AM

This is at least the third thread on the book. I've read it and it is a fun book, but you can easily knock it out in a weekend.

Rot 911 · 03-05-2009, 10:18 AM

Oh and for other fun books on racing I would highly recommend the Burt Levy series:

The Last Open Road
Montezuma's Revenge
The Fabulous Trashwagon

TimT · 03-05-2009, 02:01 PM

"Twist of the Wrist" by Keith Code is a MUST read, even though it is about motorcycles, it is applicable to cars

missed the fiction requirement. In any event Twist is a good read if you are DE or racer.

scottmandue · 03-05-2009, 02:21 PM

"Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance"

Not an easy read... you will either love or hate it... I lent it to a friend and he says he hates it... but he won't give it back.

RedBaron · 03-05-2009, 03:45 PM

The Red Car...

It is more geared toward a younger audience, but it is a great book for all ages! (The book is from the 50's about a boy who restores an old MG TC and races it.)

http://www.amazon.com/Red-Car-Don-Stanford/dp/1568497318/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1236300259&sr=8-1

aerocrosby · 03-05-2009, 04:42 PM

I couldn't put the book down! My wife then read it and thought it was awesome too.

Laneco · 03-05-2009, 05:06 PM

Vrroomgirl

I picked that book up after a fellow Pelican recommended it. An absolutely wonderful story.

I gave it to my Mom with the premise of "pass it on". It's probably on its 3rd or 4th reader now and I've lost track of where it's at. Everyone who has shared it hs loved it.

angela

VroomGrrl · 03-05-2009, 06:36 PM

This is great! Several new reads to look into, thanks.

Enzo...sigh! I may read that one again, which I don't usually do.

Let me recommend another book that comes to mind, not a travel book exactly, but interesting as a bit of biography by Chris Stewart, first drummer for Genesis. The book is called "Driving Over Lemons." From the reviews at www.bn.com:

More of a travel memoir than a guide, this is the story of one family's life in an extremely remote and primitive area of southern Spain. Author and narrator Stewart, one of the founders and the first drummer of the rock band Genesis (who was replaced by none other than Phil Collins), sets out for Spain from England. He buys a sheep farm in the Alpujarra Mountains in Andaluca, and, accompanied by wife Ana and his young daughter, learns to survive without running water, electricity, or roads. Along the way, Stewart forges some solid friendships with neighboring peasants and farmers, travelers, and expatriates as each day brings a new adventure or disaster. His descriptions of the land, animals, and human relationships are awe-inspiring and make the reader want to set off immediately for southern Spain. Recommended for all public libraries, especially those with larger travel collections. [Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 1/00.]--Melinda Stivers Leach, Wondervu, CO Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.\

Nader · 03-05-2009, 09:35 PM

Garth's a friend of mine, we met while racing Spec Miatas. Funny guy, good driver. His last couple of novels seem to have a common theme of brain ailments. Including "How Evan Broke His Head." It's a good read, too. I edited the medical content for him

jhynesrockmtn · 03-06-2009, 06:18 AM

I read the book last year and met Garth while he was signing books at our annual 4th of July historics race last year. I was in the middle of reading some of Ross Bentleys books as well. It was great to see folks I know in real life in the book like Don Kitch and how Garth weaved them into the story. Seemed like a great guy!

Laneco · 03-06-2009, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nader

Garth's a friend of mine, we met while racing Spec Miatas. Funny guy, good driver. His last couple of novels seem to have a common theme of brain ailments. Including "How Evan Broke His Head." It's a good read, too. I edited the medical content for him

Will you pass a message to the author? One of the people who wound up with the book that I passed on is a terminally ill woman (a friend of my mother's). This woman read and re-read the book, then told my mother this:

"I am no longer afraid...."

For that lady, this might be the most valuable book ever read. As for me, it's the only book that I've bought a second time for the explicit purpose of sharing with someone else. Run Enzo, run, indeed.

angela