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Post by Claire on Jan 10, 2021 19:04:06 GMT 1
Hi all, decided to make this an annual event, basically just a mini version of the Summer Reading Challenge. If you'd like to take part please choose 3 horse/pony books to read throughout the challenge. Don't forget to give us your comments on each one and rate them as per below. This year it is total free choice. If you didn't complete the Summer Challenge, you may like to choose any books you didn't finish. Also an option is to choose one of the 'Star Reads' from that challenge - although due to less people taking part this year, and the fact one book was starred by a few folk, there aren't many to choose from! Please register you books and make any comments on this thread. RULESSTARTING DATE: 19th January 2021 CLOSING DATE: 21st March 2021 CHOOSES ANY 3 PONY OR NON PONY BOOKS TO BE READ BY END DATERead all three by end date to 'win' a virtual trophy. RATINGS: Please rate each book read as the following: enjoyed / didn't enjoy / neutral / conflicted. Plus choose your favourite from the three as your 'star read' - also don't forget to give a short commentary on each book. STAR BOOKS:If you would like to choose from the star reads from the Summer Challenge here they are: Land of Ponies by M. M. Oliver Ponies in Peril by DPT A Pony for Jean by Joanna Cannan I hope everyone who takes part enjoys the mini challenge. READER'S LISTS
CLAIREThe Heavenly Horse from the Outermost West by Mary Stanton Ponies and Poachers by David Severn Mick's Country Cousins by Ann de Roo DARKHORSEA Stable to Let by Lilias Edwards A Pony for Jean by Joanna Cannan Dark Champion by Arthur Waterhouse GAREJThe Ghost of Christmas Paws by Mandy Moreton Six Ponies by JPT HAFFYGallop - Sue Lyon-Heap Lucy's Chance - Brittany Joy Palm Beach - Kim Ablon Whitney SUSANWhite Hope by Frances Murray Blythe Girls: Helen's Strange Boarder Long Road to Harringay by Diana Tuke
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Post by trixiepony on Jan 11, 2021 11:56:47 GMT 1
Sounds nice, I am reading a bit more, I just wonted to connect again. How are we all going coping with all the crazy in the world? ok me I we are now all 4 of us living to getter.
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Post by garej on Jan 11, 2021 22:44:44 GMT 1
I would like to take part. Not sure of book other than The Ghost of Christmas Paws by Mandy Moreton (non pony). It was one of two books that I got for Christmas (both non pony).
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Post by garej on Jan 13, 2021 0:51:35 GMT 1
Also Claire i would have liked to do Land of Ponies as it's the only star read I haven't read but I can't find a copy for sale anywhere.
I have realised that you said that the books have to be pony so that rules out my previous choice. I will have to have a think.
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Post by haffyfan on Jan 14, 2021 21:26:43 GMT 1
I'd like to try and join in if I may, although I appreciate i've been very bad at actually finding time for doing so for quite a while now.
Gallop - Sue Lyon-Heap (non fiction) Lucy's Chance - Brittany joy (Kindle freebie so possibly 'interesting') Palm Beach - Kim Ablon Whitney
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Post by Claire on Jan 16, 2021 12:08:56 GMT 1
I have realised that you said that the books have to be pony so that rules out my previous choice. I will have to have a think. No it's fine if you would like a non-pony book too.
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Post by garej on Jan 17, 2021 1:15:04 GMT 1
Thanks Claire.
I have decided to go with either Six Ponies or The Radney Riding Club. I have to buy a copy of The Radney Riding Club because mine is an edited paperback. Fortunately that's an relatively easy replacement due to amazon. Six Ponies is even easier due to already owning the Fidra Books edition.
So that's 2 books sorted if I include The Ghost of Christmas Paws by Mandy Morton. Still undecided on the third.
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Post by susanb on Jan 20, 2021 0:47:43 GMT 1
Still deciding on my three books.....I already picked them out, and I've changed my mind on all of them ;-) Will get the new slate up asap!
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Post by Claire on Jan 25, 2021 11:39:38 GMT 1
I'm just going for the 3 I didn't manage to finish in the summer:
The Heavenly Horse from the Outermost West by Mary Stanton Ponies and Poachers by David Severn Mick's Country Cousins by Ann de Roo
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Post by susanb on Jan 27, 2021 0:02:21 GMT 1
Ok, two picks, one yet to be decided : White Hope by Frances Murray - Blythe Girls: Helen's Strange Boarder by Laura Lee Hope (non-pony, continuing series started in summer challenge) - Long Road to Harringay - Diana Tuke -
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Post by darkhorse on Feb 4, 2021 21:36:30 GMT 1
Is it too late to join in?
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Post by Claire on Feb 5, 2021 12:10:52 GMT 1
No not too late for anyone to join in. I've extended the end date a couple of weeks as we all seem a bit slow to start anyhow!
The book lists so far are up on the opening post.
Susan/Garej - have you decided on your other choices yet so I can update the lists?
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Post by garej on Feb 5, 2021 16:32:11 GMT 1
I still haven't decided on my 3rd book but my other book is Six Ponies by JPT.
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Post by susanb on Feb 5, 2021 22:39:43 GMT 1
I still haven't decided on my third, sorry! I have such a towering tbr pile (ahem, I fell off the book-buying wagon last year), but work, pandemic, winter...snow, rain, sleet, more snow, snizzle (that's when it's mixed snow/ice/rain), ice storm, etc.....so stressful. I feel like what I really want is a reread from childhood. Promise to decide soon.
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Post by Claire on Feb 6, 2021 18:37:20 GMT 1
Thanks for the update Garej.
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Post by haffyfan on Feb 9, 2021 21:40:39 GMT 1
I'm glad you extended the date a bit!
I have started though, reading Gallop as it's a real paper book rather than on a kindle. Sue Lyon Heap is the mother of Polly Lyon (now Williamson) and i'm sure some of you will remember she won several young rider golds in eventing at European championships back in the 80's with her dun part bred Highland, Highland Road. I've just got to the part where they buy him, it's been interesting to find out his lines, although I admit i did read this chapter as soon as the book arrived a few weeks ago!
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Post by darkhorse on Feb 10, 2021 21:45:35 GMT 1
Thanks for extending the date.
My books are:
A Stable to Let by Lilias Edwards A Pony for Jean by Joanna Cannan Dark Champion by Arthur Waterhouse
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Post by Claire on Feb 11, 2021 23:00:19 GMT 1
Blast it! I'm stuck in the challenge due to BOTH pairs of specs now broken! Unfortunately not easy to get to the opticians to get them fixed due to the flipping lockdown. I may have to buy a pair of cheap reading glasses to tide me over!
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Post by darkhorse on Feb 22, 2021 13:24:50 GMT 1
Can I have a smiley for A Pony for Jean please. It's re-read but I haven't read it for a while so I enjoyed re-visiting it.
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Post by susanb on Feb 22, 2021 20:56:16 GMT 1
I finally started, and am three quarters through Rose's Strange Boarder, enjoying it so far.
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Post by susanb on Feb 23, 2021 23:16:35 GMT 1
Took a vacation day today (1st since October) and finished Helen’s Strange Boarder, smiley, please!
I also picked, then read, another: White Hope by Frances Murray - another smiley 😊!
Would it be ok if I swapped out my remaining book for another? Now, while I’m working remotely, I’d like to read as many of my “real “ books as possible, and save the books on kindle till I’m commuting again. I was thinking Long Road to Harringay, if that works?
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Post by haffyfan on Feb 24, 2021 21:37:15 GMT 1
Smiley please for Gallop. Now must make an effort to try and read the other two and not something else... I was thinking Long Road to Harringay, if that works? Be interested to hear your thoughts on that one!
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Post by Claire on Feb 25, 2021 12:49:43 GMT 1
Thanks for the updates folks. I've finally got my specs repaired so I can resume the challenge!
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Post by susanb on Feb 27, 2021 16:36:48 GMT 1
Claire, so glad you’ve got your glasses back.... I can’t even imagine being without mine.....I’d be walking into walls 🙄
Haffy.....on page 7 of Long Road to Harringay, and I think it’s terrible. Hoping for some improvement as it goes on? 🙁
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Post by Claire on Feb 28, 2021 12:49:00 GMT 1
Hi all, have updated lists. I don't like to be heavy handed but please no more changes to lists as we are nearing the end of the challenge! If an extension is needed I can do that however.
I've only ever heard bad things about Long Road to Harringay!
I'm half way through Ponies and Poachers, it's not bad, but nothing outstanding. Also there is a black pony which has a rather cringe-worthy (to modern readers) non-pc name! I quite like the illustrations. (Kiddel-Monroe)
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Post by haffyfan on Mar 2, 2021 21:01:40 GMT 1
Claire, so glad you’ve got your glasses back.... I can’t even imagine being without mine.....I’d be walking into walls 🙄 Haffy.....on page 7 of Long Road to Harringay, and I think it’s terrible. Hoping for some improvement as it goes on? 🙁 Sorry, it was a horrible book i thought, all I can say is that poor pony i'm afraid (based on a true story i believe if anyone thinks my comment is a little ott for fiction). Cover was beautiful but i resold my copy. Must get motivated to read one of the others on my list!
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Post by susanb on Mar 7, 2021 2:04:13 GMT 1
Finished Long Road to Harringay...frowny, please. It did not improve. The best thing in the book was the Anne Bullen frontis
Seriously...that poor pony!
And the book itself was just nuts....why, after having two horses, is she so desperate for a pony? Why did her parents buy her the gray hunter in one sentence, only to sell it in the next as they had nowhere to keep it. Didn't they consider that when they bought it? She's twenty-three when she finally gets the pony, and then suddenly she outgrows it.....now that is a miracle. I don't think I grew an inch after I was 16 or so. And the first owners....BRED A THREE YEAR OLD. Where is the RSPCA when you need them .
Oh well, I finally read it, and can strike it off the list
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Post by Claire on Mar 7, 2021 21:06:35 GMT 1
Well after hearing that review glad I never attempted to read Long Road to Harringay.
Ponies and Poachers just about gets a smiley, although I wouldn't rush to read it again. Rather odd book. Starts as a pony book, then there is a large section in the middle about a poaching debacle, then a bit about ponies at the end. It's well written, but wasn't exactly a page turner.
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Post by darkhorse on Mar 9, 2021 21:29:03 GMT 1
Smiley for A Stable to Let please. I will have to look out for the author's other books.
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Post by Claire on Mar 9, 2021 23:39:02 GMT 1
Smiley for A Stable to Let please. I will have to look out for the author's other books. Yes, I do like Lilias Edwards, a rather under-rated author. Unfortunately she only wrote 3 books.
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