BOOK REVIEWS
The Seven Year Ride Brian House 2021 ISBN 978-1-7345456-1-6
The Seven Year Ride , a title that promises much yet the ride itself is just a few weeks and in many ways fails to deliver on the promise , what does come through is Brian House ’ s honesty when discussing his battle with prostate cancer and how it changed his life .
House has penned an interesting look into cancer and how motorcycling helped with the recovery and ongoing fight . And while the title may unintentionally mislead , it becomes apparent that the ride is not just about motorcycles . It ’ s an enjoyable approach to an often-unspoken subject .
House ’ s memoir at times feels a little confused ; skipping between being an honest look at cancer , a ride across a few American states , or a longer look at motorcycling and the bikes involved . It matters little , and despite a few things that some readers might struggle with , The Seven Year Ride is a memoir that will keep you turning the page … it perhaps could ’ ve been spread across a few books with greater detail .
The Seven Year Ride , not quite , but certainly worth a read …
Blood , Sweat and Notiers Tim Notier 2021 ISBN 978-19832088-7-4
Tim Notier , and his partner Marisa , have returned for book three in their series of riding a KTM , two up , around the world .
Blood , Sweat and Notiers picks up where 2 Up and Overloaded left off as the pair ride down through South America . We ’ re not sure if Notier ’ s riding has improved , we ’ d suggest so , as has his writing . It ’ s a steep learning curve and he ’ s doing well , providing a biography of adventure through a selfdeprecating humour . Notier is well aware of his short comings and doesn ’ t mind having a laugh at himself . The reader is the benefactor .
What the Notier ’ s have is a special balance of personalities , Tim ’ s often impulsive and less thought-out actions are counterbalanced by that of Marisa ’ s more measured approach . It works well , the reader is given an insight into relationships as well as travel , receiving ideas on what works for some doesn ’ t always work for others .
As the Notier ’ s moved forward we ’ re given a rare insight into how Tim , and to a lesser extent Marisa , are developing , certainly the story telling and writing styles have matured to form an easy to read yet thought provoking account of travel , there ’ s plenty of personal reflection that combines well with history , environment , and local politics .
Blood , Sweat and Notiers is a standout read and a must for the 2021 reading list .
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