SUMMER READING CHALLENGE 2023 - OFFICIAL THREAD - COMPLETED

[Claire]

Hi all, welcome to the official thread for the 2023 Summer Reading Challenge. Thanks for all the ideas for suggested categories, which I have listed below.

For newbies to the forum/challenge, the aim is for those of us taking part to pick a number of books (usually from from 3 to 10) and then challenge ourselves 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 (or not - any distractions are usually noted!) and give each other encouragement. We rate books with smiley (good), frownie (bad) or neutral (average) faces or a question mark for an undecided/conflicted opinion on a book. We then win 'virtual' rosettes and of course the coveted Challenge Trophy for completing our lists by the end of Summer! There are a number of suggested categories to choose your books from or you can have total free choice. Non-pony books are also allowed. It's also perfectly fine to choose a book which is in more than one category, or more than one from the same category.

Please use this thread to post your lists of chosen books and make any comments. I will also use this opening post in the thread to update everyone's book lists and add smilies/frownies/rewards rosettes, etc.

NON-FORUM MEMBERS - Also welome to join in. If you don't want to join the forum please feel free to join in as a guest, pick your books and discuss and rate them on this thread. Or if you don't want to post anything, then why not just pick your own list and challenge yourself to read it by the closing date.

START DATE: 24th June 2023

END DATE: 30th September 2023


SUGGESTED CATEGORIES:

AN OLD FAVOURITE WHICH HAS BEEN RECENTLY REPUBLISHED

A BOOK FEATURING SIDESADDLE

A DOG BOOK BY A PONY BOOK AUTHOR

A BOOK BY A PONY AUTHOR WHO WAS/IS ALSO A CELEBRITY RIDER

ALSO AS A 'GROUP READ' WITHIN THE CHALLENGE - THREE JAYS GO TO TOWN BY PAT SMYTHE

For suggestions/ideas on what to choose in the various categories see the 2023 Reading Challenge discussion thread


PLEASE NOTE - There are no 'rules' as such in the challenge as this is supposed to be fun but can I please make a request. Please can you try not to change your lists after the start of the challenge, other than adding to them, as it kind of negates the idea of the challenge if books are chopped and changed and can also sometimes cause confusion if I miss changes etc. Not set in stone of course, but it will make my life easier if you can try and limit any changes after the start day. Thanks folks!

Please scroll down to see the book lists and ratings/trophies etc below...

And my main message.... ENJOY AND HAVE FUN!

GROUP READ WITHIN THE CHALLENGE - THREE JAYS GO TO TOWN

If you would like to vote on the book please can you visit Tintin's earlier review of the book here where there is an attached poll.

BOOK LISTS:

CLAIRE:

AN OLD FAVOURITE RECENTLY REPUBLISHED - THE SWALLOW TRILOGY BY K M PEYTON 

A BOOK FEATURING SIDESADDLE - THE GIFT HORSE BY ALEXA ROMANES

A DOG BOOK BY A PONY BOOK AUTHOR - SWIFTLY BY MICHAEL MAGUIRE   *** STAR READ ***

A BOOK BY A CELEBRITY RIDER - THE RACEHORSE WHO WOULDN'T GALLOP BY CLARE BALDING

A 'GROUP READ' WITHIN THE CHALLENGE - THREE JAYS GO TO TOWN BY PAT SMYTHE

OTHERS:

THE ISLAND OF LOST HORSES BY STACEY GREGG

ANDY'S PIT PONY BY LEILA BERG 

PONIES AND PARACHUTES BY FRANCES MURRAY

KEEP HER SECRET BY MARK EDWARDS (NON-PONY)

DARKHORSE - COMPLETED CHALLENGE!



AN OLD FAVOURITE RECENTLY REPUBLISHED - JANET MUST RIDE BY DPT

A BOOK FEATURING SIDESADDLE - I'D RATHER NOT GALLOP BY CAROLINE AKRILL   *** STAR READ ***

A DOG BOOK BY A PONY BOOK AUTHOR - SKIPPER BY JMB

A BOOK BY A CELEBRITY RIDER/GROUP READ - THREE JAYS GO TO TOWN BY PAT SMYTHE

OTHERS:

THE PONY PLOT BY SARA HERBERT

GAREJ:

AN OLD FAVOURITE RECENTLY REPUBLISHED - SIX PONIES BY JPT 

A BOOK FEATURING SIDESADDLE - THE GIFT HORSE BY ALEXA ROMANES

A DOG BOOK BY A PONY BOOK AUTHOR - DOG IN A PRAM BY CPT

A BOOK BY A CELEBRITY RIDER/GROUP READ - THREE JAYS GO TO TOWN BY PAT SMYTHE

OTHERS:

THE GHOST OF THOMAS KEMPE BY PENELOPE LIVELY (NON-PONY)

HAFFY:

AN OLD FAVOURITE RECENTLY REPUBLISHED - PONY CLUB CUP BY JPT 

A BOOK FEATURING SIDESADDLE - I'D RATHER NOT GALLOP BY CAROLINE AKRILL

A BOOK BY A CELEBRITY RIDER - GINNY: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY BY VIRGINIA LENG/ELLIOT

A 'GROUP READ' WITHIN THE CHALLENGE - THREE JAYS GO TO TOWN BY PAT SMYTHE

OTHERS:

UPON A WHITE HORSE BY ALISON PAYNE

AMBITION BY NATALIE KELLER REINERT

WHIPS AND SPURS BY CATHEIRNE RIX

SUSAN:

AN OLD FAVOURITE RECENTLY REPUBLISHED - SUMMER AT WORLD'S END BY MONICA DICKENS

A BOOK FEATURING SIDESADDLE - SIDESADDLE RANCH BY ANN SPENCE WARNER

A DOG BOOK BY A PONY BOOK AUTHOR - HANDY OF TRIPLE C BY GENEVIEVE TORREY EAMES

A BOOK BY A CELEBRITY RIDER - MEET STROLLER BY MARION COAKES

A 'GROUP READ' WITHIN THE CHALLENGE - THREE JAYS GO TO TOWN BY PAT SMYTHE

OTHERS:

THE GRAND ROGUE BY FRANCES PRIDDY   *** STAR READ ***

A CUP FOR JANET BY EMILY THORNE

FIRE STORM BY LAUREN ST. JOHN

THAT SUMMER WITH LEXY BY AUDREY MCKIM

BLACK BEAUTY (PAUL BROWN SHORT EDITION) BY ANNA SEWELL

TINTIN:

AN OLD FAVOURITE RECENTLY REPUBLISHED - BLACK BEAUTY BY ANNA SEWELL

A BOOK FEATURING SIDESADDLE - SIDESADDLE RANCH BY ANN SPENCE WARNER

A BOOK FEATURING SIDESADDLE- REMINISCENCES OF A GENTLEMAN HORSE DEALER BY H. TREMAYNE

A DOG BOOK BY A PONY BOOK AUTHOR - A HOME FOR JESSIE BY JPT

A BOOK BY A CELEBRITY RIDER - ROYAL FLAME THE POLICE HORSE BY PIPPA FUNNELL

A 'GROUP READ' WITHIN THE CHALLENGE - THREE JAYS GO TO TOWN BY PAT SMYTHE

OTHERS:

BLACK BEAUTY'S FAMILY 2 BY THE PTS

YOU AND YOUR HORSE BY B. KEARLY

MISTLETOE AND WHINE BY C. E. SCHOFIELD

LONGEST WAY UP SHORTEST WAY DOWN BY S. WILD    *** STAR READ ***

WHAT DID YOU DO IN THE GREAT WAR GRANDFATHER BY C. BARRINGTON

[garej]

Ok my choices are so far

Six Ponies by JPT (republished book)
Dog in a Pram by CPT (dog book by pony author)
Three Jay's Go to Town by Pat Smythe (group read/celebrity)
The Gift Horse by Alexa Romanes (side saddle book)
The Ghost of Thomas Kempe by Penelope Lively (non pony book)

Interestingly we had horsey celebrities as a category 2 years ago, if anyone wants to go back and look at the relevant threads for inspiration.

[susanb]

Interestingly we had horsey celebrities as a category 2 years ago

I thought it sounded familiar! I did Pat Smythe then, Three Jays go to Rome. I may use The Three Jays go to Town as my celebrity read, but I took the addition of the category as an excuse to order myself a copy of Meet Stroller by Marion Coakes, which I've long wanted to read. Strapped to the back of a (hopefully energetic) sea turtle and heading my way from the UK now. I'll add it in if it arrives in a reasonable time frame. 

So far:

Summer at Worlds End/Monica Dickens (republished book) -
Handy of the Triple-C/Genevieve Torrey Eames (dog book by pony author) -
Three Jay's Go to Town by Pat Smythe (group read) -

Meet Stroller by Marion Coakes (celebrity) - 

Sidesaddle Ranch/Ann Spence Warner (sidesaddle)

The Grand Rogue/Frances Priddy - 
A Cup for Janet/Emily Thorne -

Fire Storm/Lauren St. John

Black Beauty/Anna Sewell - Paul Brown in short form

That Summer with Lexy/Audrey McKim -

[Claire]

Hi folks I'd completely forgotten that we had a horsy celeb category 2 years back. My memory is definitley on the way out! Oh well I don't suppose it will harm to do it again.

Thanks for your lists so far susan & garej.

I haven't picked many so far, only The Gift Horse for sidesaddle and Three Jays go to Town. I'll have to think on the dog story. I do have quite a long TBR pile so I guess a few of them will appear!

[garej]

Susan have you made a mistake? Summer at World's End is by Monica Dickens not Edwards. If it's a genuine mistake don't worry I get the two confused too!

I think I have bought an copy of The Gift Horse but unfortunately I had to buy it from one of those mass sellers on ebay. I don't trust them entirely because they either cancel or like last time I bought from one it was in worse condition than what it was described as. It was supposedly good but more like acceptable. So yes it will probably turn up in a poor condition. I avoid them if I can. Unfortunately abebooks only had 2 copies. One from an ebay seller but the other had a nearly £30 postage charge from Australia. I know that postage is expensive from overseas but that is too much for me to swallow. So abebooks was a no go.

[susanb]

Susan have you made a mistake? Summer at World's End is by Monica Dickens not Edwards. If it's a genuine mistake don't worry I get the two confused too!

eek! Yes, good catch garaj, thanks! I've fixed the entry now.

Had Edwards on the brain, as I had just bought a couple of her books that I've been looking for (Rennie Goes Riding and Under the Rose)

I hear you re abebooks, their shipping prices are all over the place, I didn't buy Meet Stroller from them for the same reason....the postage was going to be significantly higher than the paperback! I found a copy listed on Amazon but, like ebay, fulfillment is hit or miss with them, so I'm not counting on anything

[garej]

I have received the book this morning and is fortunately as described. So it looks like I am doing The Gift Horse by Alexa Romanes.

If I have to go for a mass seller then I would rather go to ebay. Not only is it easier to claim your money back than abebooks then postage is often reasonable /free. Not only that I get nectar points too. For those outside the UK nectar is a scheme from multiple retailers where you can earn and spend points on your shopping. Each point is worth half a penny and once you reach 500 points you can get money off your shopping. Twice a year I go to Sainsbury's (supermarket here in the UK) and get some free shopping. Ebay is a member of the scheme.

[haffyfan]

I do it the other way around, collect nectar points whilst doing weekly shopping (and get the bonus ones for smart shop products we regularly buy) but then spend them on ebay on either books or stuff I need for the ponies

Not sure of a full list yet but

AN OLD FAVOURITE WHICH HAS BEEN RECENTLY REPUBLISHED - Pony Club Cup by JPT

A BOOK FEATURING SIDESADDLE - I'd Rather not gallop by Caroline Akrill (could also be above too)

A DOG BOOK BY A PONY BOOK AUTHOR - ? Not sure i have any, will have to think about this

A BOOK BY A PONY AUTHOR WHO WAS/IS ALSO A CELEBRITY RIDER - Ginny an Autobiography by Virgina Leng (Elliott now)

ALSO AS A 'GROUP READ' WITHIN THE CHALLENGE - THREE JAYS GO TO TOWN BY PAT SMYTHE - * might* tackle this if feeling brave, not books/Author i like

Also

Upon A White Horse by Alison Payne
Ambition - Natalie Keller Reinert

[garej]

Haffy if this helps you the following books are dog related by the PT sisters.

DPT :- Bindi Must Go, The Secret Dog, Dear Pup

CPT:- Dog in a Pram, the entire Jessie series, Giles and the Greyhound.

Out of all of them the Jessie series is the easiest to find. JPT didn't write any dog books; in fact all her books are pony books with the exception of A Place with Two Faces. A Place With Two Faces doesnt contain any animals. I dont know if you want to avoid The Secret Dog as it contains a controversially named character called Darkie. It was written in the 1950s so was probably acceptable then to call someone that name.

[susanb]

adding a few dog options:

Killer Dog by Monica Edwards
Skipper (and sequels) by Judith Berrisford
Taff by Judith Berrisford

[susanb]

The copy of Meet Stroller I ordered just arrived, I think faster than I've ever had delivery from the UK, so I'm good to go for my celebrity book!

My list is mostly set...I'd like to add another re-read (after all, that's why we OWN books ) and one non-pony, to bring the total to 10, but still undecided on those last two.

[tintin]

AN OLD FAVOURITE WHICH HAS BEEN RECENTLY REPUBLISHED - Black Beauty

BOOKs FEATURING SIDESADDLE - Side Saddle Ranch (A S Warner), Reminiscences of a Gentleman Horse Dealer (H Tremayne)


A DOG BOOK BY A PONY BOOK AUTHOR - A Home for Jessie (Christine Pullein-Thompson)

A BOOK BY A PONY AUTHOR WHO WAS/IS ALSO A CELEBRITY RIDER - Royal Flame the Police Horse (Pippa Funnell)

ALSO AS A 'GROUP READ' WITHIN THE CHALLENGE - THREE JAYS GO TO TOWN BY PAT SMYTHE

Others - Longest Way Up, Shortest Way Down (S Wild), What did you do in the Great War Grandfather? (C Barrington), Black Beauty's Family 2 (Pullein-Thompson Sisters), You and Your Horse (B L Kearly), Mistletoe and Whine (C E Schofield)

My dad bought me the Puffin Classics Black Beauty recently. The Gentleman Horse Dealer one I have no idea what it's like, but it has a Victorian Side Saddle Lady and her long faced pal on the cover being unconscious in that dramatic, yet decorous, manner that only Victorian ladies and horses seem to manage

[Claire]

Hi all thanks for the lists. Apologies for being AWOL. I was off on holiday with only my phone and for some reason it wouldn't lewt me log in to the forum!!

[Claire]

Just to add a few suggestions for dog stories by pony authors:

Joan Begbie - Sergeant the Dog
Jean Slaughter Doty - Gabriel
Moyra Charlton - Patch
Michael Maguire - Swiftly
Dorian Williams - Lost
Peggie Cannam - My Dog Echo
Eleanor Helme - Roddy and Scuttle, Four Footed Helpers

Also Gay and the Ponies by Elinore Havers could possibly be counted as a dog story although it also contains ponies.

[susanb]

I added to my list...Black Beauty in short form (guessing about 180 pgs)....I just got a copy of the Paul Brown illustrated edition. I'd heard it was lovely, but wow....EVERY SINGLE PAGE has illustrations. The mix of text and illustration is a bit unlike anything I've seen...it's not a picture book, and yet....

[Claire]

Jun 19, 2023 17:42:12 GMT 1 susanb said:

I added to my list...Black Beauty in short form (guessing about 180 pgs)....I just got a copy of the Paul Brown illustrated edition. I'd heard it was lovely, but wow....EVERY SINGLE PAGE has illustrations. The mix of text and illustration is a bit unlike anything I've seen...it's not a picture book, and yet....

OMG I think I am literally drooling with envy If you get a chance to take any pics I'm sure everyone would love to see them!

[Claire]

My list so far:

SIDESADDLE - The Gift Horse by Alexa Romanes
DOG - Swiftly by Michael Maguire
CELEB - The Racehorse who wouldn't Gallop by Clare Balding
GROUP READ - 3 Jays go to Town

Haven't decided on the recently re-published one yet. I also have a few to add from my TBR pile when I decide which ones to prioritise. The Clare Balding book will be interesting as I personally can't stand the woman, but I got a copy of the book in a job lot of paperbacks and it looks short so I'll give it a go.

I'll get everyone's lists set up in the next few days.

[susanb]

If I can figure out how to post pictures, now that I don't have Photobucket, I'll definitely post!

[tintin]

Please could I have smiley faces for:-

What did you do in the Great War Grandfather?

Royal Flame the Police Horse

and

You and Your Horse

[Claire]

Tintin you're quick out of the starting gate. I haven't set it up as the official start date isn't until 24th! Haha I'll have to get my skates on!

[Claire]

Jun 20, 2023 22:44:38 GMT 1 susanb said:

If I can figure out how to post pictures, now that I don't have Photobucket, I'll definitely post!

I use this one. No need for an account although it's handy to get one as it stores pics for you.

postimages.org/

Also don't forget that you can add up to 3 images from your PC/tablet/phone by using the add attachment button on the top right side.

[susanb]

Will give it a try...I have vacation coming up week after next, and plan on spending it chilling out with a pile of books


That said, I did start Summer at World's End this week...I had to be in the office two days, and the commute is 2hrs each way. Commuter rail is late, every train, every day. Having a book (and water, a small snack and asprin) is pure survival mechanism

[Claire]

Hi folks, an update on the challenge:

I have now added everyone's book lists to the opening post. As usual can you please check to make sure everything is present and correct as I 'occaisionally' make mistakes

Anyone else who would like to join in, please can you submit your lists in the next few days, also if anyone wants to add or change anything please try and do this asap. Thanks!

Lastly well done to Tintin who has I think been the quickest ever to win a rosette in the challenge!

[darkhorse]

Apologies, I haven't got my list sorted out yet. I've had a lot on with family. I will post it in the next few days. I hope that's OK Claire?

[Claire]

No worries Darkhorse.

Had a good reading day due to being able to sit out with book in nice weather for a change. Finished my first book, non-pony psychological thriller by Mark Edwards. I really liked his early books, the last couple were a bit disappointing but this one was somewhat of a return to form, although the plot was a bit hard to swallow. Gets a smilie anyhow, especially as it was free on Kindle-unlimited. Have started on Swiftly, which I am loving so far.

[garej]

I have started Six Ponies by JPT. It's a good read so far though I have sort of read it before as I read the edited Armada paperback. I am using the Fidra books edition which uses the full text so I can appreciate it in its full glory. Will probably do a full review on my PT blog once I have finished.

[susanb]

I had a good reading weekend as, unfortunately, the weather here is awful....hot, humid and raining. And the same forecast for every day, as far out as the forecast goes.   Oh well, I planned on spending my vacation next week reading anyway, so I'll be doing it in front of the air conditioner

Can I get a frowny, please, for Summer at World's End? This one just didn't do it for me.

After I finished that, I read two books and started on a third, none of which are on my list. Seeing a trend here that repeats from a couple of years back, when I read dozens of books over the course of the summer, but didn't actually finish the challenge, as most weren't on my list

Speaking of the list, I've decided on my last book: That Summer with Lexy by Audrey McKim, a non-pony book by a Canadian author. It's been in the tbr pile for a while, since it seemed like a book that should be read in summer.

[tintin]

Could I have smiley faces for:-

A Home for Jessie

Reminiscences of a Gentleman Horse Dealer

The first is a real weepie three handerkerchief job, but very gripping and well written and makes you want to read the sequels

The second has a very tragic chapter, but is full of fabulous side saddle ladies and the writing is very modern and flowing for 1901 (I feel a bit bad for smiling at the unconscious lady in the picture earlier, on reading the book I found she is actually dead)

PS I think I am going to add some books as, so far, they have all been short and easy to read. My Dad is ploughing through Side Saddle Ranch which he finds a bit like little house on the prairie

[Claire]

I'd be interested to hear your views on Six Ponies Garej. Having read both the unedited version and the revised Armada, I still prefer the Armarda. I found the original, although more complex and having more depth, to be much darker and even a little unsettling, whereas the Armada was quite light-hearted and fun. I think I'm probably in the minority on this.

Susan - why the frown for Summer at World's End when you liked Spring?

Tintin - I found A Home for Jessie too upsetting which is one of the reasons I didn't choose any of the Jessie books as my dog story. Lol at the dead lady - you weren't to know! Just had a thought - would your dad like to join in the Challenge?

[tintin]

Well you can see why I thought it might not be that serious... She has n't even bust any buttons

www.amazon.co.uk/Reminiscences-Gentleman-Dealer-Harold-Tremayne/dp/B005E2U2Q6/ref=sr_1_1?crid=224YRALT79JYA&keywords=reminiscences+of+a+gentleman+horse+dealer&qid=1687880084&sprefix=reminisences+of+a+gentleman+horse+dealer%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-1

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