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Post by Claire on Jun 7, 2016 1:21:32 GMT 1
Here at last is the official Reading Challenge 2016 thread. For newbies, the aim of the Challenge is for those taking part to pick a number of books and then challenge themselves to read them all by the end of Summer. We use this thread to discuss the books, how we are getting on with the challenge and give each other encouragement. I also set up a dedicated web page listing everyone taking part and their book lists. We can rate books with smiley, frownie or neutral faces and can win 'virtual' rosettes and of course the coveted Challenge Trophy for completing our lists by the end of Summer! There are just a few basic 'rules' - CHALLENGE WILL BEGIN ON 28TH JUNE 2016 AND WILL RUN UNTIL SEPTEMBERCHALLENGE REQUIREMENTS:* You can pick up to 10 books * One book needs to be a pony book recommended to you by your 'partner' (see below) * One book needs to be a 'modern' pony book if possible (ie. published 2014 - 2016) * Other books are free choice, pony or non-pony * Please can you post your lists here by the starting date if possible BOOK SWAP/ BOOK RECOMMENDATION:As we discussed in the earlier thread, we have a new addition to this year's challenge which will involve us all pairing up, with each pair recommending a book to their partner to read. I have decided just to pair people in alphabetical order so here is the list of people taking part in their pairs: FORUM MEMBERS TAKING PART: BRUMBY & CLAIRE DARKHORSE & GAREJ GINSLINGER & FIZZ HAFFY & KUNUMA SUSAN & TINTIN Pairs can arrange this any way they want, either swapping physical books or just recommending a book they have enjoyed. Please however try and keep the books easy to find and fairly low cost. Use the PM system or swap email addresses or simply post your recommendation here. As before latecomers and guests are welcome to join in at any point and can post their views here, although if you start after the 28th June I may not be able to add you to the special Challenge web page and you may not have a chance to pair up. Happy reading
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Post by susanb on Jun 7, 2016 13:43:17 GMT 1
Yea! Another summer begins!
tintin, I've sent you a PM to begin the book recommendation part!
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Post by kunuma1 on Jun 7, 2016 14:19:24 GMT 1
Oh goodness - I've got my work cut out finding one that haffy hasn't read I'll bet!I'll start thinking!I'm currently into mega sci fi mode and up to my neck in some previously undiscovered C J Cherryh!
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Post by garej on Jun 8, 2016 10:30:12 GMT 1
Can you please provide a list of modern pony books because I have no idea what has come out this year! The relevant thread hasn't been updated much.
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Post by haffyfan on Jun 9, 2016 20:26:09 GMT 1
Thanks for setting this up Claire x
@ Kunuma, i've barely read a quarter, i'll bet, of the books in our house! I like the reading challenge, in that it prompts me to read some of the ones that have been lurking forever, rather than sticking with old favourites. Please be nice!
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Post by Claire on Jun 9, 2016 21:41:16 GMT 1
As regards to modern pony books, I don't really add to the forum thread much as I tend to put new releases on the facebook page now. You don't have to be a member of Facebook to access it - link below: www.facebook.com/ponymadbooklovers/You can also do an Amazon search in publication order which gives the newest releases. Other than that I will have a think and recommend some I think are decent. And anyone else who has read a decent recent one could let us know about it. Actually that could be quite a good suggestion for the recommendation category as people are less likely to have read a recent one. (Also means you can kill two categories with one stone, if you'll excuse the awful metaphor!
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Post by haffyfan on Jun 13, 2016 21:32:15 GMT 1
Claire when does the challenge end? I've twisted Kunuma's arm that our new read could be the new Jilly Cooper but it isn't out till early Sept...
Do some of the forelock books count as new releases or is 2014 too old now?
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Post by Claire on Jun 13, 2016 21:39:16 GMT 1
Haffy, we usually go on well into September depending on how far behind some of us are (usually me!) so I think that would be OK.
If anyone can't find a 2015 or 2016 title they fancy I'll allow a 2014 one to sneak in! For those with ebook readers/tablets etc don't forget there are often freebie newish pony books on Amazon. Check out the read for free thread over the next couple of weeks. I'll also try and compile a list of some decent newish books in the next two or three days.
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Post by susanb on Jun 13, 2016 21:51:08 GMT 1
I'm going with Boys Don't Ride by McManus for my modern....I think it came out in the UK in 2014, but didn't make an appearance in the US till 2015, so I'm countin' it, as I've been meaning to read it for a while now! tintin....have you seen my pm re book recommendation? Any ideas for me yet? I've got a ton in my tbr pile, whatever you recommend may well be there already
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Post by Claire on Jun 17, 2016 23:25:23 GMT 1
Susan I know its supposed to be Tintin doing your book recommendation but did you say a while back you have a/some Nancy Springer books in your TBR pile? If so you could maybe try one for the Challenge. I rate her books pretty highly and I'd be interested to hear another viewpoint on them. Oh and apologies if it wasn't you and I am getting mixed up!
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Post by susanb on Jun 18, 2016 1:58:14 GMT 1
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Post by Claire on Jun 20, 2016 22:02:33 GMT 1
Well done on being the first one to get their list in (well almost) Susan.
I've been away from home for a while house-sitting so haven't had access to my pony books. Now I'm back I'm going to check out the TBR list and something to recommend for my partner. The only one I know am definitely going to put on the list is one by Phyllis Whitney. I enjoyed the pony story she wrote so am going to try a murder mystery of hers which I've had hanging around for ages - The Red Carnelian.
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Post by susanb on Jun 21, 2016 1:58:22 GMT 1
I'm glad you liked Mystery of the Crimson Ghost...it was a favorite of mine from childhood....it's hard to tell (through the rosy lens of nostalgia) if a book is really good or not!
I'm almost positive I've never read The Red Carnelian, I'd love to hear what you think of it...it was her first adult mystery
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Post by garej on Jun 22, 2016 16:55:40 GMT 1
I am keeping it to 5 books this year as I have struggled to do more than that in the previous years.
1. The Dark Horse - Jenny Hughes 2. Easter the show jumper - H M Peel 3. Blind Beauty - K M Peyton 4. New book - haven't decided which one yet 5. Recommendation.
I have read the Dark Horse before but not for 10 years. I remember liking it though. Never read anything by H M Peel but I haven't read Blind Beauty.
One thing I haven't heard anything from my partner. So unless I hear pdq I don't know what will happen.
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Post by Claire on Jun 23, 2016 21:58:58 GMT 1
Hi all if anyone is looking for new/modern books for your list you could check out this website, if you haven't already. www.forelock-books.co.uk/It's aim is for modern pony books with a traditional feel/ethos so I think should appeal to the oldies amongst us! There's a new story by Carolyn Henderson amongst them which I may try and get a review copy of. The books themselves aren't that low cost (most are £9.99) but there are Kindle versions available which are often free on promotion. I have a copy of one of the books (Pony Racer) which will add to my Reading Challenge list. I also have Spirit and the Magic Horsebox which was a free kindle book a while back. May add that too depending on how the rest of list goes. I've also changed the goal posts on the modern books to include 2014 as it may make it easier to find something. A freebie at the moment on Amazon is The Lost Pony of Riverdale by Alison Wills. Its very good. Not sure how long it is going to be free so grab it asap. Get it hereFor Garej and anyone else who has not heard from their partners, don't worry, you can always add that title later on. I know some people only come on here occaisionally so they may just not have logged on for a while.
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Post by tintin on Jun 23, 2016 23:07:03 GMT 1
I have been terrible at getting in touch, but have just done so and promise to do better in future! (hangs head in shame)Apologies
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Post by Claire on Jun 23, 2016 23:32:25 GMT 1
I have been terrible at getting in touch, but have just done so and promise to do better in future! (hangs head in shame)Apologies Lol Tintin, don't worry about it. I've only just got my recommendations to my own partner! I know most of us on here have busy lives and this is in no way a school assignment type of thing. Like most of the stuff on here its all pretty relaxed and laid back. It has to be with me running it Anyway folks just to add to my earlier posts, I have just been checking out all the free Kindle pony books on Amazon at the mo and there are some pretty good ones, including modern ones. Check out the Read For Free thread: ponybooks.proboards.com/thread/1247/new-read-free-section?page=7&scrollTo=41677
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Post by haffyfan on Jun 24, 2016 10:43:19 GMT 1
Beside me is excellent Claire/anyone else thinking of reading it.
All That Glitters is very readable too, not the usual depth of a KM peyton book as it's for younger readers, a good comparison might be Sheena Wilkinson's Too many ponies as opposed to Grounded/Taking flight (I know lots of us have read these).
I think some forelocks might appear on my list...My partner is threatening to make me read Monica Edwards or saddle club, it may be revenge for suggesting Jilly coopers new one!
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Post by kunuma1 on Jun 24, 2016 21:43:43 GMT 1
lol Haffy you can do Jilly Cooper for my choice but you might have to lend it to me as penance! I'm doing one of Elyne Mitchell's non horsy ones as Haffy's choice for me (which the poor girl will also have to lend me lol) I've been trying to get that forelock one on Kindle but it won't do it for me, only to my computer kindle which doesn't work any more (thank you windows ten!!) But I did get some others so here is the start of my list - all freebies!
Boys Don't Ride K Marcus Winter of the Crystal Dances A Dorsey The Paint Horse T Nicholson Follow you Home M Edwards Crystal Magic M Freeman Hadron Dark Matter S Arsenault Omega Exile S Arsenault A Cry of Honour M Rice An Androids Dogs Tale D morrese Spinward Fringe R Lalonde
Thanks to garej's heads up, add All That Glitters KMPeyton to the list!!
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Post by Claire on Jun 25, 2016 11:57:02 GMT 1
My partner is threatening to make me read saddle club, it may be revenge for suggesting Jilly coopers new one! Hahaha> Surely she wouldn't be that evil...? I'm going to check out the Boys Don't Ride one as 2 others are doing it also and we could have a mini reading circle amongst us.
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Post by darkhorse on Jun 26, 2016 19:41:00 GMT 1
Apologies to my partner Garej for being behind! I have sent you a message Garej.
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Post by brumby on Jun 27, 2016 9:17:19 GMT 1
Ready to go, here is my list, am sticking with 10 to get through the mountains of unread books!!!!
1. Shadow Horse - Alison Hart (Partner's choice)
2. Beside Me - Carolyn Henderson (Modern)
3. The Connemara whirlwind - Ann Henning
4. Transitions - Jane Ayre (alternative title A horse in her heart)
5. Dark horse of woodfield - Florence Hightower
6. The snow pony - Alison Lester
7. Come down the mountain - Vian Smith
8. The Impossible horse - Christine Keir
9. The Horsemasters - Don Stanford
10. Fury Son of the Wilds - H M Peel
Can't wait to get started...
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Post by Claire on Jun 27, 2016 12:51:10 GMT 1
Hi partner ooh you have picked not 1 but 3 of my recommendations! I hope you like at least one of them! Here is my list altho I may add one or two later. THE QUICKSAND PONY BY ALISON LESTER (PARTNER'S RECOMMENDATION) PONY RACER BY LUCY JOHNSON(MODERN) BOYS DON'T RIDE BY KATHARINA MARCUS(MODERN) PONY TALES BY SUSAN JAMESON (MODERN) TO FIND A GOLDEN PONY BY AMANDA GAVIN BLUE ROSETTE BY PAMELA MACGREGOR MORRIS THE RED CARNELIAN BY PHYLLIS WHITNEY (NON PONY) Unfortunately I am having terrible internet problems at the moment. I will try and get the web page set up but there may be a few days delay. Can folk get their lists in soon. It doesn't matter if they are incomplete.
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Post by Claire on Jun 28, 2016 15:07:47 GMT 1
Hi all, the reading challenge starts officially today! But don't worry if you haven't begun yet. I have started to build the web page but need folks selections to get it done. If you haven't picked your whole list just send me what you've got so far as I can leave blanks and fill them in later. I need lists from Haffy, Ginslinger, Fizz and Tintin. Sorry to name and shame you lot lol. Latecomers who didn't put their names down originally are still welcome although try and get lists to me as soon as poss.
Have we anyone who hasn't heard from their partner yet? Let me know and I will attempt to rectify the situation or juggle things around.
Well I've managed to start on time. Began The Red Carnelian today. Whether I will finish on time is another matter however!
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Post by ginslinger on Jun 28, 2016 16:51:17 GMT 1
Sorry, been ill and so behind but hope to complete when can look at screen without feeling sick. Going to do 10 and like a centaur they will be half horsey. I can tell the non horsey ones now as they have come from the large and reproachful unread pile. The other half needs a little ordering and a recommendation to complete.
1 A year of Marvellous Ways -Sarah Winman 2 A place called Winter -Patrick Gale 3 Labyrinth - Kate Mosse 4 Wait for me -Deborah Devonshire 5 The last lighthousekeeper - Alan Titchmarsh 6 Racehorse Holiday - Josephine Pullein-Thompson 7 Gin and Murder - Josephine Pullein-Thompson 8 Ghost Horse of the Moor - Josephine Pullein-Thompson 9 Redhall Riders -Amanda Wills - NEW 10 Recommendation
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Post by susanb on Jun 28, 2016 19:20:26 GMT 1
I've finished my first book! Well, really, it's a very quick read, so it's not surprising. I actually read it over the course of one lunch Boy's Don't Ride gets a smiley from me....I really enjoyed it, and hope she does a longer sequel one of these days!
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Post by kunuma1 on Jun 29, 2016 16:14:10 GMT 1
I've just done Boys Don't Ride and the Paint Horse, I don't know if it is because today's youth can't concentrate or what but like Susan says, these books are so short! Paint Horse particularly would be more accurately described as a paragraph!It took ten minutes to read! I just know I'm going to be the opposite of everyone on Boys Don't Ride (nothing unusual there!! lol) Both get frownies!! (Said I'd be different!) One because it was so politically correct it drove me mad and the other because it was a short essay not a book!
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Post by garej on Jun 29, 2016 16:39:49 GMT 1
I have decided on Katy's Pony Challenge by Victoria Eveleigh as my modern book. It came out last year so it definitely qualifies.
Can't give you a title for my recommendation yet as darkhorse and I are unsure what each other has read so we are still working it out.
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Post by susanb on Jun 29, 2016 19:29:02 GMT 1
I've updated my list with my recommended book: Led by the Grey by Peter de Cosemo, which I started this morning...I'm really enjoying it so far, thanks to tintin, who recommended it!
(If anyone is looking to round out their list with a book with a fantasy element, it's available for kindle, and not expensive at all. And, note to kunuma, this one isn't so sparse....at 478 pages, it will take up more than a lunch hour....might be right up your alley! )
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Post by Claire on Jun 29, 2016 21:33:39 GMT 1
Well done all who have started. Sorry to hear you have been ill Ginslinger. Hope you are feeling better and ready to get cracking now!
I should have the web-page up and running by the weekend so we can start adding smiles and frownies, etc.
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