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Post by susanb on Jul 20, 2016 19:04:21 GMT 1
Errm....(sheepishly), can I add another, Claire? The 24th Horse by Hugh Pentecost...another adult horse mystery. Originally published in 1940, it centers around the New York City horsey set, and kicks off (no pun intended) at the (US) National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden. That brings me up to 9....I'm going back and updating my original list post, in case it's easier than looking at my multiple posts through the thread
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Post by Claire on Jul 20, 2016 20:51:52 GMT 1
SUMMER READING CHALLENGE 2016 WEB PAGEHi folks. Updated web page again (link above) with new books added. Well done to all, especially Brumby and Garej who have got red rosettes! Sorry if I sound heavy handed but can people let me know what books they want to add to lists by the end of this week. After that I won't be adding more, as I simply have not got time! You can still come on here to discuss any other books you are reading throughout the summer even if they're not on the list. Garej I have left 3 spaces for you to add 3 more books if you want to go for the whole 10. A couple of observations. I am surprised you found Winter of the Crystal Dances silly Kunuma, as I really liked it. However I think Angela Dorsey is something of a 'marmite' author. I would go with Brumby rather than Tintin on The Impossible Horse, for me its ok but not her finest work. Sorry Tintin. I do think Brumby and I have just about exactly the same taste in books. Lastly here's a question I've been pondering on - whose list would you want to read if you weren't doing your own? Mine would be Brumby's. I'm probably a bit biased as I did recommend some of the books to her. I'd be interested to know which other people's lists everyone would choose.
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Post by susanb on Jul 20, 2016 21:39:29 GMT 1
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Post by brumby on Jul 21, 2016 2:21:24 GMT 1
Its not that I didn't enjoy it, it just wasn't an absolute favourite. Had a few issues with death of fox and small dog incident (not even sure why this needed to be in the book!) On the last hunt that Jan went on she pushed her horse way too hard, she even said she knew he was tired and stumbling, this really makes my blood boil up until then I really liked Jan. Perhaps there was a little too much repetitive writing spent on Jan thinking about Guy! As for the book hitting the spot with different readers if it touches on a world they knew I couldn't agree more , The Snow Pony was that book for me, 3 days after finishing I'm still reliving wonderful memories of my time riding in the high country and warming our frozen toes on a roaring fire crammed into a bushman's hut... Attachments:Guys hut.docx (904.25 KB)
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Post by brumby on Jul 21, 2016 2:27:02 GMT 1
Sorry I thought I deleted the failed attempt at attaching a picture I think Darkhorse has an interesting list, I have read a few of those and liked them. Each year I find I add to my library after seeing what people enjoy, presently I am waiting for 'Led by the grey' to arrive. Although it can get frustrating when you can't get the books or are floored by the prohibitive postage costs (i.e. from US to AUS!!!)
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Post by brumby on Jul 21, 2016 3:39:42 GMT 1
Claire said Although I think 'Tan & Tarmac' may be the exception to the rule! But then 'Tan & Tarmac' is a very much a vegemite/marmite book! PS I love vegemite (although spread thinly)
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Post by ginslinger on Jul 21, 2016 9:23:13 GMT 1
I think I might go for Kunuma's list as it has books I haven't read from authors I have read and enjoyed. Other wise it would be a bit of a stab in the dark... the more time I spend here the more I realise there is out there I knew nothing about!!! Though Tintin's might be an option since the Sewell biography would be interesting and I don't think I have ever read Silver Snaffles (but should ).
Unless I start making better progress with Labyrinth very soon I won't add any more - it promises to be a bit of a slog which I am liable to avoid if there is anything more tempting legitimately available (though I have ordered another JPT murder so..that won't wait!), but I think I had better assume that I won't hear from Fizz and borrow your recommendations, Claire. Shadow Horse or Dark Horse of Woodfield wasn't it.
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Post by garej on Jul 21, 2016 13:53:16 GMT 1
I have decided on two additional books: Racing Manhattan (modern) by Terence Blacker and The Ponies From Bunts by M M Oliver and E Ducat. Not sure whether to go for All That Glitters by K M Peyton or The Tale of Julip by Ursula Hourihane for the final book. Will let you know when I have decided.
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Post by garej on Jul 21, 2016 14:04:37 GMT 1
I am going to be awkward and say that I don't fancy anyone's list. Mainly because there's non UK books on everyone's lists and I don't like foreign books. I think that it's a case of being familiar with the settings. Even though my copy of Dark Horses was a physical copy and therefore had American spellings and American terminology it wasn't blatantly obvious that it was set in the USA - it could have been just as easily set in the UK. I don't mind books like that.
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Post by kunuma1 on Jul 21, 2016 14:05:08 GMT 1
SUMMER READING CHALLENGE 2016 WEB PAGE. A couple of observations. I am surprised you found Winter of the Crystal Dances silly Kunuma, as I really liked it. However I think Angela Dorsey is something of a 'marmite' author. I would go with Brumby rather than Tintin on The Impossible Horse, for me its ok but not her finest work. Sorry Tintin. I do think Brumby and I have just about exactly the same taste in books. . Claire with the Crystal Dances one it was the whole talking to the horses thing, if you are going to have telepathic horses, then they have to be more realistic and at least sound like horses and not emo teenagers!! That's what I meant about it couldn't decide whether to be a fairy tale or a pony story - some do manage to be both such as the Little White Horse, but this missed for me. Should I try another of hers do you think?? Also I think all the modern ones were shown up so badly by the fabulous Elyne Mitchell books that perhaps they scored lower by comparison?
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Post by kunuma1 on Jul 21, 2016 14:09:40 GMT 1
Hmmm. will have to look and see whose list I'd pick, I know tintin has Hamilton which I want to re read but he also has that Magic Horsebox one, and I'm not reading that again for anything LOL
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Post by tintin on Jul 21, 2016 17:48:54 GMT 1
"he also has that Magic Horsebox one, and I'm not reading that again for anything LOL"
Oh dear - picked almost at random because I needed a modern one. Still I will keep an open mind - time travelling teens not my usual thing.
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Post by Claire on Jul 21, 2016 20:17:53 GMT 1
Hmmm. will have to look and see whose list I'd pick, I know tintin has Hamilton which I want to re read but he also has that Magic Horsebox one, and I'm not reading that again for anything LOL Tee hee I did get that one when it was free but I haven't attempted to read it. The title put me off. Even tho I like fantasy thats going a bit too far. Kunuma you have read another by Angela Dorsey (Freedom) in the reading group and you didnt like that one much either so I wouldn't bother trying any others! Garej, did you find that Julip one on ebay a while back? I debated whether to get it or not as its rare and an interesting collector's item. I'd be interested to know what you thought of it. Susan I like your list with big and small smiles. I should maybe do something like that to differentiate between the 'scraping in' and the 'big cheesy grin' books lol. But next year!! Ginslinger, I have heard from Fizz and she is hoping to join in belatedly, real life stuff has been getting in the way for her. However its fine if you want to try Shadow Horse or Woodfield. If you have a recommendation for Fizz let me know and I'll pass it on to her. Well I finished The Stand so no more distractions and on to book 3! It will be Pony Racer. Not holding out a huge amount of hope for it as I started reading it a while back and lost interest. I put it on the list to encourage myself to give it a second try. Next web page update at the weekend.
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Post by garej on Jul 22, 2016 2:02:40 GMT 1
My copy of The Tale of Julip did come from eBay but several years ago. Pity because that one had a better dj - mine has a horrible watermark over it. Still it's better than the owner of Julip Originals - hers hasn't got a dj!
I did attempt to read it many years ago but I failed. It's more of a fantasy tale than a traditional pony tale.
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Post by ginslinger on Jul 22, 2016 7:41:01 GMT 1
I am happy to wait for Fizz's choice if you are, Claire. But I don't feel I know enough to recommendation - everything I have read I think everyone has read!
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Post by garej on Jul 22, 2016 15:58:48 GMT 1
I have decided on The Tale of Julip by Ursula Hourihane as my final book Claire. I don't think that I will like it but it will be a change to have a different sort of smiley.
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Post by susanb on Jul 22, 2016 20:33:51 GMT 1
I finished Quicksand Pony, smiley please!
Maybe a bit darker in places than Snow Pony, but as always well written and moving. Three to go....not sure if I'll continue to slog with Water Wagtail this weekend or pick up Pilot the Chaser or Strawberry Roan....decisions, decisions
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Post by kunuma1 on Jul 22, 2016 21:11:31 GMT 1
Smiley for Spinward Fringe Origins - loved the imagination and the story, but omg the grammar! Such a shame as I could be really into the book and then a particular phrase or sentence would make me cringe so badly it took me out of the book back into reality. However I am pleased to find it's the first book in a long series, I do love a series! Sadly the rest are not free, drat! So tempted to buy one but mustn't mustn't!! So the reading challenge has found me a new author! Yeah!!
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Post by Claire on Jul 22, 2016 21:35:17 GMT 1
Sorry I thought I deleted the failed attempt at attaching a picture It opens Brumby! Well at least it does on Windows 10 using Firefox. It suggested using Word Pad to open it I OKayed it but nowt happened and I left it and starting doing something else and forgot all about it. Then I suddenly found a window popping with a pic of an old hut on it and thought what the heck... til I remembered your pic. Lol. I do envy you that trip. It would be my dream to go riding in Silver Brumby country! Oh dear Pony Racer is still proving hard to get into. Tempted to start one of the other ones off....
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Post by haffyfan on Jul 23, 2016 12:12:38 GMT 1
If it's not too late for the updating my Final list Fortunes Fool - Mary Pagones (modern pony book i hope) Mount - Jilly Cooper (new book) Dancing in The Moonlight - Christina Jones One Good Turn - Ruth Benton Blackmore Midnight Horse - Monica Edwards(recommended) Double Clear - Kate Lattey First fence - " " Boys Don't Ride - Katharina Marcus Eleanor McGraw, a Pony Named Mouse and a Boy Called Fire - Katharina marcus The Boy With The Amber eyes - Katharina marcus
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Post by Claire on Jul 24, 2016 19:03:20 GMT 1
SUMMER READING CHALLENGE 2016 WEB PAGE - LATEST UPDATEWell I think I have managed to catch up with everyone's smilies and additional books! No more books please, I will not be cajoled, bribed or blackmailed into adding any more! I will try and update the smilies at least twice a week from now on. I've managed a bit more of Pony Racer. Not wanting to be too harsh to the author (I think its her first book) the writing style does need a bit of work. But its warming on me a little. The theme of an abused child taken on by foster/adoptive parents and coming out of their shell through contact with horses is very similar to Diana Kimpton's book There Must be Horses, although the latter is in a different league. Kudos points for having a young boy hero tho. Unless it picks up a lot it will probably be a neutral. Hope everyone is enjoying the Challenge.
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Post by darkhorse on Jul 24, 2016 20:30:08 GMT 1
Can I have a smiley please for The Horse on the Balcony by Jane Ayres this was my partner's recommendation and I really enjoyed it. Good well-rounded characters, an interesting mystery plot. The author dealt well with some meaty issues, in particular, guilt. It's probably not really suited to younger readers, it's a good read for an adult however. There is sadness in the story but it has a happy ending. Garej, thanks for pointing me to the fact there is a sequel. I will definitely read that some time although I don't dare ask to add it to my list in case I upset Claire!
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Post by tintin on Jul 25, 2016 8:43:17 GMT 1
Please can I have a smiling face for The Joker and Jerry - enjoyed, but did not love up to the original - mind you that is an extremely high standard
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Post by garej on Jul 25, 2016 11:35:44 GMT 1
I am glad that you enjoyed The Horse On The Balcony darkhorse. There's a third book but it's only available as a physical book not an ebook.
I meant to start The Tale of Julip at the weekend but failed. Hopefully Racing Manhattan should arrive today (along with a adult colouring book) so I am unsure whether to start that instead.
The Ponies From Bunts is a thick book and I am under the weather (stomach ache) atm so I don't feel up to tackling a heavy tome.
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Post by kunuma1 on Jul 25, 2016 18:31:27 GMT 1
Well choosing books only on price was bound to have a snag and I just found it - I had no idea what any of the books I had chosen were about and so far I had been lucky - but just struck out. The current one appears to be a sort of thriller, full of abductions, rapes and murders - it always bothers me not only that some people like reading these, but that people like writing them! I'm in a quandary over how to rate it though, I think it is quite a good book of it's genre, it's just that I have enough nasty people around in real life and so don't like reading about them! So should I rate it higher on the grounds it's really my fault for picking it in the first place??
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Post by garej on Jul 25, 2016 19:09:08 GMT 1
You could go for a conflicted smile as that's what I would do in that situation
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Post by Claire on Jul 25, 2016 20:50:58 GMT 1
Hope you are feeling better soon Garej. Garej and Darkhorse, I did a review of The Horse on the Balcony on here a while back, if either of you would like to add comments there or vote on it here is the postKunuma - you are always conflicted!! Actually that book sounds rather interesting lol. Which one is it? Tintin - I also love Jerry, by the far my favourite book of hers. I've never got round to reading the sequel as I thought it may not be as good. Still ploughing through Pony Racer. I must say I do get irritated by books where the hero/heroine has a 'natural ability' with horses. Does anyone else?
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Post by susanb on Jul 25, 2016 21:01:03 GMT 1
Applauding the effort, Claire, for slogging along. I didn't even open mine this weekend. Finished a mystery I had started earlier in the week, then said to myself "what to do? I could read Water Wagtail....nah. Could go out....hair needs a trim (one look at the thermometer put an end to that idea). Checked to see if that mystery had a sequel....$11.99 for an ebook!!! Highway robbery!!! Eyed Water Wagtail and the thermometer again and ..... CLICK! Expensive mystery it is! (At least it was a good read )
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Post by garej on Jul 25, 2016 22:02:45 GMT 1
Racing Manhattan arrived before. It sounds it's along the lines of Blind Beauty judging from the blurb. Basically troubled teen runs away to racing yard and becomes attached to a particular horse (Manhattan). I didn't know much about this book until it arrived because I just shoved pony books into amazon and searched by publication date. It's brand new for this year so if it turns out to be a decent read it could be a good contender for people's lists for next year!
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Post by kunuma1 on Jul 26, 2016 14:41:59 GMT 1
Yup, that's me - conflicted! So I'm following garej's advice and Follow You Home M Edwards gets a conflicted smiley! I thought it was going to be about a stray dog, it ISN'T!!
Started Hadron Dark Matter - not really a sci fi which I was expecting, quite a different and thought provoking book which has as it's theme that even in the complete breakdown of civilisation, it pays to be mega rich!!!
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