Jennie Shortridge
October 2003
331 pages
Jennie Shortridge has a knack for creating characters I don’t particularly like, but that I end up cheering for by the end of the book. They make stupid ass decisions, and then end up growing up and redeeming themselves.
Case in point: Tallie Beck. Tallie is a down on her luck singer who after 17 years away lands back home. On her uptight, resentful sister Jane’s doorstep. Before too long she is pissing off her sister with her drinking and smoking and irresponsible behavior. After taking a job at a participatory sing-along bar and moving in with her estranged mother, Tallie sloooooowly starts to work on family relationships and acceptance and her own feelings about who she is and what she wants out of life.
Despite the going-home-and-facing-your-past theme, this is a unique book. As I mentioned, the characters are flawed and not so lovable. Tallie’s mom suffered from mental illness and consequently, the girls had a rough childhood. Tallie struggles with forgiveness, despite the fact that her mother on medication and no longer manic. Tallie also struggles with her perception of what a musician is. Eventually, she starts to realize that she can be settled and happy and working in a bar, and still be a successful entertainer.
Riding with the Queen is Shortridge’s first book. And I think I like it a little better than Love and Biology. It’s characters are quirkier, and while I still didn’t really like them, I think I enjoyed them more than the Love and Biology cast.
Quirky characters are so much fun – in books and in real life!
I will definitely put this book on my TBR list! I really like the the characters that are Tallie and I think I need just a book like that to read as far as making stupid decisions and redeeming oneself go.
I love quirky characters also. This does sound interesting….thanks for the review.
I like it when characters grow and change — and I also like it when my opinion of a character changes by the end of the book. I’ll put this on my radar.
Odd characters work for me. Add some inner turmoil and it’s a book that is usually right up my alley.
I like the title — it reminds me of John Hiatt’s song “Riding with the King.”
Lol. Love your opening paragraph!
Sometimes, I like to read about quirky characters.. normal characters have the tendency to make the book boring sometimes.. I am going add this one to my wishlist.. It looks like a “different” read.
Another one for my TBR list, I like the sounds of the family dynamics in this story.
I've had this on my wish list since I read Jenny's *Love and Biology …*. Her writing is fantastic. No, I didn't agree with everything Mira did (in L&B), but I love my friends even when they make mistakes!
LOL @ pissing off ehr sister
Must say- I have read some good reviews
but yours maes me feel that i won’t like this book.. 
What made you pick up this book?