Synopses & Reviews
One day, at the age of thirty-one, Susan Richards realized that she was an alcoholic. She wrote it down in her journal, struck by the fact that it had taken nine years of waking up hung-over to name her illness. What had changed?
Susan had a new horse, a spirited Morgan named Georgia, and, as she says: andldquo;It had something to do with Georgia. It had something to do with making a commitment as enormous as caring for a horse that might live as my companion for the next forty years. It had something to do with love.andrdquo; Every day begins with a morning ride.
Every day Susan lives a little more and thinks about her mistakes a little less. Every day she learns a little more from Georgia, the kind of horse who doesnandrsquo;t go in for indecision, who doesnandrsquo;t apologize for her opinions, and who isnandrsquo;t afraid to be herself. In Georgia, Susan finds something to draw her back to herself, but also something to keep her steady and focused, to teach her about stepping carefully in unknown territory, to help her learn again about balance.
This is a memoir about the power of animals to carry us through the toughest times of our livesandmdash;about the importance of constancy, the beauty of quiet, steadfast love, the way loving a good (and sometimes bad!) animal can keep you going. Itandrsquo;s a wonderful story for Susanandrsquo;s (and Georgiaandrsquo;s) fans, and for anyone who has ever loved an animal enough to keep on living.
Review
andquot;This is not only a horse story but a andlsquo;drunkalogueandrsquo; in which the alcoholic tells what drinking was like, what happened to cause her to stop, and what recovery is like now. Animal lovers and recovering alcoholics will be inspired by this story.andquot; andmdash;Library Journal
andquot;Reading this book was like having an unflinchingly honest talk with a close friend about her struggle for meaning and hope after a devastating relationship and descent into alcoholism. It took a horse to give Susan the strength to change. When no human could have reached her injured soul, Susan Richards found healing in the form of her horse, who had no judgments of her and offered the profound love and companionship that can only be found with an animal. This book is a testament to the transforming power of animals in our lives; it was also impossible to put down.andquot;and#160;--Stacey O'Brien, author of Wesley the Owl andquot;Can a book be both looking glass and richly colored animal portrait? In Saddled, Susan Richards performs dual literary magic by giving us the history of a horsewoman retrieving her life from the bottom of the wine glass, and a mirror in which the sensitive reader will see herself again and again. Except that most of us could never duplicate Richards's emotional courage--not to mention delightful humor. Her clarion words reflect a stone honesty that is truly rare. I loved every sentence in this superlative memoir.andquot; --Melissa Pierson, author of Dark Horses and Black Beauties
andquot;Saddled is a searingly honest portrait of addiction and the redemptive power of animal-human love.andquot; --Ted Kerasote, author of Merle's Door andquot;Susan Richards masterfully weaves together her compelling story of life lived on the edge with vivid accounts of a horse who gives her reasons to live and ultimately to thrive. She conveys with unflinching honesty the ways her horse Georgia influenced every decision and made reaching every milestone possible. Horse lovers will relate to their healing connection; people who know little about horses will be amazed at the benefits that occur when a horse and human forge bonds of unfailing trust and loyalty.andquot; andmdash;Allen and Linda Anderson, founders of the Angel Animals Network and authors of Horses with a Mission and Angel Horses
andquot;Susan Richards writes with no sentimentality and great lucid beauty about love: love between humans and creatures, love between broken people whose mending lies in acceptance of their injuries and their willingness to embrace a difficult hope.andquot;and#160; andmdash;Mary Sojourner, author of Solace: Rituals of Loss and Desire and the forthcoming She Bets Her Life: A True Story of Gambling Addiction
andquot;Saddled is a remarkable memoir of love, loss and ultimate healing. Anyone who has ever adored an animal will understand that many healers come to us on four legs. It was thrilling to watch the authorandrsquo;s life transform as her love for her horse teaches her how to love herself.andquot;and#160; andmdash;Sharyn Wolf, author of Guerilla Dating Tactics and How to Stay Lovers For Life and#160;
andquot;The unconditional love our animals feel for us is precious, but asand#160;Susan Richardsand#160;so beautifully illustrates in her new memoir, it is the unconditional love we feel for our animals that can change our lives.and#160; This simple love can bring out the best in us, and asand#160;Saddledand#160;proves, to care responsibly for another creature, we must first begin to care responsibly for ourselves. This is an inspiring, life-changing book.andquot; andmdash;Abigail Thomas, author of A Three Dog Life
andquot;Saddle up and enjoy the ride with Susan Richards. You'll love it.andquot; -- Rita Mae Brown
andquot;Chosen by a Horse contained hints of a childhood among wicked adults; Saddled fills in the details. When Susan Richards needed one sane place to stand against the stresses of a crazy world, her Morgan horse, Georgia, was there to show her that loving an animal grounds you in a way that nothing else can.andquot; andmdash;Sharon Sakson, author of Paws and Effect: The Healing Power of Dogs
Review
Praise for Chosen Forever:
"Charismatic... [Richards'] charming, self-effacing humor keeps the tone light even when she’s examining darker feelings. Engaging writing by an honest self-explorer." --Kirkus
"Richards reflects on how rich life becomes when one travels her own best path.... Richards writes more courageously than she perhaps realizes, and each page of this uplifting book will touch a chord...." -- Booklist
"This is an inspirational story of what family means, and what the loss of one can do to us, and for us." -- Boston Globe
Review
Richards opens her life once again to share her struggles, lessons, and surprising joys. Chosen Forever is a rare thing.
Review
Reading Richards' prose makes you feel like you're listening to a good friend tell you her story, if only that friend would tell you their deepest fears and triumphs. Her descriptions of her pets will make any animal lover smile. And for anyone who thinks they're too old, too damaged or too afraid to take a risk and enter in a relationship with someone, this book is a breath of fresh air.
Review
The book is well written, honest and provides the reader with the desire to keep reading. What more could you want in a book? If you plan to buy one book this year, make it this one.
Review
PRAISE FOR CHOSEN BY A HORSE "This is an inspirational story of what family means, and what the loss of one can do to us, and for us."—THE BOSTON GLOBE "Two kindred spirits find each other in this beautifully written memoir about the human-animal bond."—TEMPLE GRANDIN
Synopsis
Uncover the power of animals to carry people through life's toughest times in this book about the importance of constancy, the beauty of quiet, steadfast love, and the way loving a good (and sometimes bad!) animal can keep one going.
Synopsis
The prequel to CHOSEN BY A HORSE, detailing how Richards met Georgia and her struggle through alcoholism
Synopsis
PRAISE FOR SADDLED:
"The unconditional love our animals feel for us is precious, but as Susan Richards so beautifully illustrates, it is the unconditional love we feel for our animals that can change our lives. This is an inspiring, life-changing book." --Abigail Thomas, author of A Three Dog Life
"Reading Saddled was like having an unflinchingly honest talk with a close friend about her struggle for meaning and hope. It took a horse to give Susan the strength to change. This book is a testament to the transforming power of animals in our lives; it was also impossible to put down." --Stacey O'Brien, author of Wesley the Owl
"Richards performs dual literary magic by giving us the history of a horsewoman retrieving her life from the bottom of the wine glass, and a mirror in which the sensitive reader will see herself again and again. I loved every sentence." --Melissa Pierson, author of Dark Horses and Black Beauties
"When Susan Richards needed one sane place to stand against the stresses of a crazy world, her Morgan horse, Georgia, was there to show her that loving an animal grounds you in a way that nothing else can." --Sharon Sakson, author of Paws & Effect: The Healing Power of Dogs
"Saddle up and enjoy the ride with Susan Richards. You'll love it." -- Rita Mae Brown , author of Catch as Cat Can
Synopsis
In the heartwarming sequel to Chosen by a Horse, Susan Richards tells of the continuing gifts brought to her life by her beloved horse, Lay Me Down.
Readers cried with Susan Richards when, at the end of Chosen by a Horse, her beloved mare was laid to rest in the paddock where she had met her herd -- Hot Shot, Tempo, and Georgia. Now they will cheer as Susan recounts the further wonders that came into her life as part of Lay Me Down's legacy: a bestselling book, a tour to support that book, the reconnection to friends and family who come to celebrate her success, and love-- unexpected, complicated, and true.
And so Chosen Forever works its magic as a sequel of self-discovery, as Susan continues to grow into her new life. Told in charming prose with her familiar and disarming sense of humor, and featuring a new supporting cast of animal characters (a Siamese cat, two pugs, tow Labs, and appearances by horses), this is another moving tale for readers facing their own challenges at recreating their lives. Chosen Forever is the story of what happens the day after all of your dreams come true-- how you learn to accept that you deserve to be happy, and how those we love continue to offer us gifts long after they are gone.
Synopsis
The horse Susan Richards chose for rescue wouldnt be corralled into her waiting trailer. Instead Lay Me Down, a former racehorse with a foal close on her heels, walked right up that ramp and into Susans life. This gentle creaturemalnourished, plagued by pneumonia and an eye infectionhad endured a rough road, but somehow her heart was still open and generous. It seemed fated that she would come into Susans paddock and teach her how to embrace the joys of life despite the dangers of living.
An elegant and often heartbreaking tale filled with animal characters as complicated and lively as their human counterparts, this is an inspiring story of courage and hope and the ways in which all loveeven an animalshas the power to heal.
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About the Author
SUSAN RICHARDS has a B.A. in English from the University of Colorado and a masters degree in social work from Adelphi University. She lives with her husband Dennis Stock and their beloved gang of four dogs and one Siamese cat.