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Post by garej on Jul 27, 2016 22:02:20 GMT 1
I have a happy box. For those of you who don't know what a happy box is, it's a collection of stuff that makes you feel better and is meant to provoke happy memories. Mine contains amongst other stuff two cards from my best friends. The point is that if you are having a bad time you delve into it and it makes you feel better.
What has this got to do with pony books you may ask? Well I would like to add a pony book to it. This is where I am stuck. So I am after suggestions.
My criteria is this
1. It must be available as a paperback (due to space issues).
2. It must be British (or available as a British imprint of a American book such as Horse in the House).
3. No murders/death/rape etc. It's supposed to cheer me up not make me worse. So if the worse happens is that they lose in the gymkhana that's ok. I can take some bad bits such as the horse going missing but nothing too extreme.
4. Ideally it should be something that I have never read before now. My first thought was Silver Snaffles but I have read it. So that leaves the PTs out for a start.
5. Nothing horrendously rare (I am on a budget you know).
So if you have any suggestions for my book please fire away.
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Post by trixiepony on Jul 28, 2016 11:34:46 GMT 1
What a lovely idea,
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Post by tintin on Jul 28, 2016 12:19:52 GMT 1
Marvellous! A kind of emotional first aid kit. I have one, without knowing I did, and its not all in one place.
Damn I can't really do paperback, but they are quite slim hardbacks, and they are British.
Jerry by Eleanor Helme - a horse biography where everything goes right for the horse and its still a good story. You can imagine yourself on Exmoor with them. Cannot recommend Jerry too highly.
Genuine Reason for Sale - Jennifer Melrose. Beautifully presented, heart warming some on Amazon for a penny. Lady has accident and can no longer run her riding stables. She carefully places all her horses, each one is an individual with different issues. Lovely descriptive writing and a happy ending. The sequel - To a Good Home Only - is not so cheap or well presented, but just as good. The lady has recovered and decides to buy horses to re-establish her stables.
Ok it is set in the Great War so does not avoid bad stuff, but a veil is sensibly drawn over it - My Horse Warrior - General Seely loves his horse who is like a son to him. Genuinely affecting with lovely pictures. I am sure you will love Warrior too.
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Post by garej on Jul 28, 2016 14:34:39 GMT 1
Thanks everyone! I already have Jerry but I have never read it so I suppose it could be moved into the box. Similarly I have The Joker and Jerry but I have yet to read it.
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Post by tintin on Jul 28, 2016 16:44:29 GMT 1
Joker and Jerry, although a very nice book, isn't half the book Jerry is> have a read of Jerry and see if he hits the spot. Best of Luck!
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Post by Claire on Jul 30, 2016 0:10:42 GMT 1
Thats a nice idea. Perhaps we could stretch the topic to 'feel good' pony books too. I know you will have read them, Garej, but books that really cheer me up when I am low are both Pony Club Team and Pony Club Camp by JPT. They never fail to bring a smile to my face (and a few giggles too in the case of Pony Club Camp, with the 'glove incident' and match-making Gay discussing marriage with Major H as my favourite funny bits) and also remind me of a happy pony filled childhood.
My other favourite 'feel good' books, which I'm not sure if you've read or not, are Only One Pony and Dream Pony by Elinore Havers, both in paperback. Lovely simple traditional stories.
Another book which I have recommended to just about everyone (and everyone so far has loved it) is Dark Horse of Woodfield by Florence Hightower. Although this is American it reads almost more British than many UK books! It is full of eccentric characters and fun.
Actually though I do think the best pony books for a happy box would be ones read as a child, and read a few times - I think the familiarity of these brings comfort.
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Post by garej on Jul 30, 2016 1:39:31 GMT 1
Thanks Claire. I actually read Dream Pony a few years ago for my summer reading challenge. I haven't read Only One Pony.
If we are talking about feel good pony books in general other than Silver Snaffles I would say the Jill books (other than the last), especially Jills Gymkhana. The eventing trilogy by Caroline akrill has to be another good one because of the sheer humour and if you are feeling awful you need a bit of humour.
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Post by Claire on Jul 30, 2016 21:45:18 GMT 1
I agree Garej, the Caroline Akrill eventing and also the showing series (sadly rare books) are always good for a laugh. I'd say my favourite 'feel good' Jill is A Stable for Jill.
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Post by garej on Jul 31, 2016 19:32:23 GMT 1
I forgot to say that it must be a physical book not an ebook.
The only book I have added lately to the box is a colouring book (need to buy some pencils). So I am looking into everyone's suggestions and will let you know which one I choose.
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Post by trixiepony on Aug 1, 2016 11:27:45 GMT 1
Thats a nice idea. Perhaps we could stretch the topic to 'feel good' pony books too. I know you will have read them, Garej, but books that really cheer me up when I am low are both Pony Club Team and Pony Club Camp by JPT. They never fail to bring a smile to my face (and a few giggles too in the case of Pony Club Camp, with the 'glove incident' and match-making Gay discussing marriage with Major H as my favourite funny bits) and also remind me of a happy pony filled childhood. My other favourite 'feel good' books, which I'm not sure if you've read or not, are Only One Pony and Dream Pony by Elinore Havers, both in paperback. Lovely simple traditional stories. Another book which I have recommended to just about everyone (and everyone so far has loved it) is Dark Horse of Woodfield by Florence Hightower. Although this is American it reads almost more British than many UK books! It is full of eccentric characters and fun. Actually though I do think the best pony books for a happy box would be ones read as a child, and read a few times - I think the familiarity of these brings comfort. Yes I like that in a comfort read if read as a kid, and funny all ways helps. light hearted and like a old friend.
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Post by fizz on Aug 12, 2016 8:36:38 GMT 1
I like the Woodbury Pony Club trilogy and have often re-read it when I've been feeling low.
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