alsvidur's 2021 list

For the 12th time, hello and happy new year to all you 75ers!

The obligatory 'me' intro: I'm Emilie, nearly the big 4-0 years old, and living in metro-Detroit, MI, with my fiance and menagerie. I'm a LVT (aka veterinary nurse) at an emergency hospital. The veterinary field has been very busy during COVID for various reasons, so although I hit 100 books last year, I wanted to read so much more! I spend a lot of my free time taking care of my horse and training my dog - and soon will be taking her to dog shows.

The obligatory 'shelves' intro: I read mind candy. YA, romance, fantasy, and children's books are my fare. There's also a large portion of horse books (both fiction and non-) and dog books. I hit over 100 books last year, but we probably shouldn't make any demands of this year, right?

Happy reading in 2021, Emilie!

Your cat appears to be peaceful! Have a good year of reading!

Welcome back!

Happy reading this year!

Hi Emilie! Your post on the intro thread caught my eye. Excited to see what you read this year! We were at the vet a lot in 2020 with three dogs and I did not envy our excellent vet techs dealing with all the complicated curbside service procedures. What kind of dog do you have?

And keep up with my friends here, Emilie. Have a great 2021.

>2 FAMeulstee:: >4 drneutron:: >5 aktakukac:: Thanks for stopping by!

>7 PaulCranswick:: Thanks for encouraging every person, every year, Paul. It must be a lot of work, but I for one really appreciate it!

>3 thornton37814:: The photo lies. The cat, Archer, is a lovable little snot. He riles up the dog on purpose, harasses the rabbit, knocks things over to see what happens, pouts when we don't immediately drop what we're doing to reward his trained tricks, and generally causes cat-like trouble whenever he can. When I can grab a photo of him being peaceful, I take it to remind myself that he can indeed not instigate things when he chooses.

>6 curioussquared:: Whew. I just typed and deleted a lot about my job, but I don't want to seem like I'm complaining. I have a hard time describing why emergency/intensive care techs are experiencing burnout right now without sounding like we're having a harder time that other professions. Curbside has it's pros and cons, but doing everything by phone is just terrible for solid communication about loved ones; I really feel for pet owners in all this, too.

I have a 7-month-old female Rhodesian ridgeback named Rory (aka Tifari's In Omnia Paratus). We're currently working on training for a trick dog title and a simple home manners certificate since those can currently be done via video. Actual conformation shows are another story. She's my first show dog, so I need some hand-holding by her breeders. That plus the limited availability of shows themselves is intimidating. It's in her contract that I have to make a solid effort to finish a conformation championship so the pressure's on. I'm more looking forward to lure coursing.

>8 alsvidur: Aw, Rory's beautiful! Good luck with your training!

>8 alsvidur: My cats say they approve of Archer's behavior.

Rory is gorgeous! And Archer is a handsome snot.

Hope all is well, Emilie.

>8 alsvidur: That is one heck of a handsome pup.

Book #: 1
Title: The Viscount Who Loved Me: Bridgertons #2
Author: Julia Quinn
Genre: Romance
Publication date: 2000
Catalog: 813 / PS
Acquisition: 1 week ago
Rating: 3.5

Anthony Bridgerton has decided to marry and has decided to marry a particular girl that he thinks will be a good match - no matter that he doesn't have strong feelings for Edwina either way. Her older sister however, is determined that Edwina will marry well, and Anthony is *not* well-suited in her opinion.

So I finished the Bridgerton TV series the day after it came out. They managed to make the issues I had with the first book much smaller, so I continued the book series. Now that it's been a month since I read this one, I can't remember why I didn't go on to book #3.



Book #: 2
Title: The Rogue Not Taken: Scandal & Scoundrel #1
Author: Sarah MacLean
Genre: Romance
Publication date: 2015
Catalog: 813 / PS
Acquisition: 1 week ago
Rating: 4

Sophie tries to escape the social repercussions of telling off her cheating brother-in-law in public by hitching a ride on a carriage. The owner of the carriage assumes she is trying to trap him into marriage, but Sophie wouldn't marry him no matter what.

This was more fun than I was anticipating.



Book #: 3
Title: A Scot in the Dark: Scandal & Scoundrel #2
Author: Sarah MacLean
Genre: Romance
Publication date: 2016
Catalog: 813 / PS
Acquisition: 2 years ago
Rating: 3.5

Lillian is humiliated when a nude portrait of her is unveiled publicly. Her benefactor, the Duke, comes down to London from Scotland to find her a husband before her reputation is too damaged to repair.

Amusing, standard romance.

I've started multiple books but can't bring myself to continue any of them. I'd call it a book funk but I've been so busy that it doesn't really matter. After struggling with my horse for awhile, things have finally started to get back to where they were before I hurt my arm last summer. Forcing myself to get into a schedule for her, my dog, house care, and work isn't leaving a lot of time for sleep, much less reading.

>8 alsvidur: I posted and then forgot to star your thread so lost track, but found it again! Rory is totally gorgeous. We have three greyhounds from the racing industry, one who raced and two who got out early without racing for various reasons. I'd like to try lure coursing with the younger two, especially our newest addition -- I think they'd love it.

>14 alsvidur: Good luck getting out of your funk and I hope life settles down a bit soon!

Ok, am I crazy? Did Dressage Today make a book out of their visualization illustrations that made up their Dressage Solutions on the back page of the magazine? I thought they did, but I can't find it now that I want it.

Book #: 4
Title: How Two Minds Meet: The Mental Dynamics of Dressage
Author: Beth Baumert
Genre: Non-fiction, horses
Publication date: 2020
Catalog: 636 / SF
Acquisition: 5 days ago
Rating: 3

After experiencing a riding set-back a few months ago, I'm really trying to get my mind in the right place. I'm going through a bunch of riding/sports psychology books, and this one was recently published. Unfortunately, it's not really a riding psychology book as a reminder of how intense and mystical dressage riders can be. :) If you're a regular dressage rider wanting to improve a tiny bit, then sure, it's for you. If you're a low-level eventer/jumper trying to overcome fear or something, maybe look elsewhere.

That being said, it was nicely laid out, as all Trafalgar Square books are, and it was well written, edited, and illustrated. I did copy and cut out a page to hang in my tack locker, so it was worth it to buy - but it was a lot of reading to get through to the bit I liked in the appendix!

>17 alsvidur: Wow that is a startling cover, Emilie.

That cover just messed with my head a bit! :) Sorry to hear about the riding setback but it sounds like you're on the right track for research?

>18 PaulCranswick:: >19 DFED:: I didn't even look twice at the cover in person. I wonder if scrolling down affects how you see it? Huh.

>19 DFED:: Yeah, there are a bunch of books I've bought as crutches, but it's really just the hard work of going back to the beginning and taking baby steps. Lead line pony rides to being longed to riding in tiny circles around my trainer to using more of the arena to riding by myself, etc, all while taking lessons on an old school horse to get my fitness, balance, confidence, and jumping eye back. Some days we have to go back a step (or three), some days we take a baby step forward. We have a long way to go - no jumping, dropped stirrups, riding when it's windy/snow is falling off the roof/etc yet - but we'll get there. While I'm not ready to do everything I used to, at least I'm not panicking much anymore.



Book #: 5
Title: Teaching People Teaching Dogs
Author: Dani Weinberg
Genre: Non-fiction, dogs
Publication date: 2006
Catalog: 636 / SF
Acquisition: 5 hours ago
Rating: 2.5

Not a lot of facts or tips, but well-written thoughts on setting up training programs.



Book #: 6
Title: Little Moments of Love
Author: Catana Chetwynd
Genre: Humor
Publication date: 2018
Catalog: 741 / PN
Acquisition: 2 days ago
Rating: 4

Catana Comics is a web comic that features the relationship between Catana and her boyfriend. It's very sweet.



Book #: 7
Title: Clipping
Author: Carolyn & John Henderson
Genre: Non-fiction, horses
Publication date: 1996
Catalog: 636 / SF
Acquisition: 5 hours ago
Rating: 3

Clipping basics. Nothing in depth, but solid info if you've never clipped a horse before.

Book #: 8
Title: Don't Call the Wolf
Author: Aleksandra Ross
Genre: YA fantasy
Publication date: 2020
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: 4 months ago
Rating: 3.5

Shape-shifter protagonist tries to save her magic forest from a dragon by enlisting the help of dragon-killing Wolf Lords, who are really just using her to get through the forest themselves.

OK, so that description stunk, but I can't remember too much about this, aside from that it got me out of my book funk. It was an enjoyable read.



Book #: 9
Title: A Court of Thorns and Roses
Author: Sarah Maas
Genre: YA fantasy
Publication date: 2015
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: Reread
Rating: 5

One of my favorites. Feyre provides for her family by hunting, but shoots and kills and wolf one day - the wolf was actually a fairy though, and her life is forfeit to the fairy realm now. The fairy Tamlin comes to take her to fairy as an alternative to death.



Book #: 10
Title: A Court of Mist and Fury
Author: Sarah Maas
Genre: YA fantasy
Publication date: 2016
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: Reread
Rating: 5

#2 in the series. Still one of my favorite books. After the trauma of Under the Mountain, Feyre tries to recover.



Book #: 11
Title: A Court of Wings and Ruin
Author: Sarah Maas
Genre: YA fantasy
Publication date: 2017
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: Reread
Rating: 4

#3 in the series. Feyre needs to save her kingdom from Hyburn. The last half of the book is really just the war, but it reads better as a re-read.



Book #: 12
Title: A Court of Frost and Starlight
Author: Sarah Maas
Genre: YA fantasy
Publication date: 2018
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: 3 years ago
Rating: 4

#4 in the series. An interlude at winter solstice, describing how everyone is handling the rebuild.

I've read the first two ACOTAR books but need to get to the rest -- maybe this is the year!

Book #: 13
Title: A Court of Silver Flames
Author: Sarah Maas
Genre: YA fantasy
Publication date: 2021
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: 3 weeks ago
Rating: 4

#5 in the series (I hate it when covers change halfway through a series, don't you?) Nesta went from someone who was a giant dumpster fire to working through her issues, thanks to the help of friends in the library, fighter Cassian, and exercise. I'd like more in the series please - more than developing the TV show on Hulu.



Book #: 14
Title: Horses Came First, Second and Last: My Unapologetic Road to Eventing Gold
Author: Jack LeGoff
Genre: Non-fiction, horse / biography
Publication date: 2008
Catalog: 798 / SF
Acquisition: 3 weeks ago
Rating: 3

Autobiography of an Olympic team eventing coach. Back story was interesting. Training snippets were interesting. Appendix of rider biographies took the whole week to get through.

Hope all is well in planet Emilie and that you'll update us soon. x

Work is eating us alive. People are leaving the field so quickly now. We're at half the staff we were before the pandemic, and we're at least 80% busier. No one can find enough staff. Hospitals are closing due to lack of staff, moving all those patients onto the remaining understaffed hospitals. It's brutal. Books have taken a back burner to catching up on sleep.



Book #: 15
Title: Worst Best Man
Author: Mia Sosa
Genre: Fiction, chick lit/contemporary romance
Publication date: 2020
Catalog: 813 / PS
Acquisition: 6 months ago
Rating: 3

Lina is a wedding planner with a great opportunity to partner with a hotel. She just has to get through the long proposal/interview process. Too bad she's suddenly paired with the marketing firm owned by her ex-fiance's family. If it gets out that Lina was jilted at the alter, she'll take a hit on her reputation and possibly her career.

Average. Not a waste of time and got me out of my funk.



Book #: 16
Title: Second First Impressions
Author: Sally Thorne
Genre: Fiction, contemporary romance
Publication date: 2021
Catalog: 813 / PN?
Acquisition: 4 days ago
Rating: 4

Ruthie works at a retirement home and rarely leaves the facility. She's slowly turning into an old person when she bumps into a 'bad boy' - who thinks she's actually an old person. The bad boy ends up being the son of the owner of her complex. This description makes it sound bad, but it was a very nice story.

Loved Thorne's Hating Game, was eh about her second, and am pleased with her third.



Book #: 17
Title: World-Class Braiding Manes and Tails
Author: Cat Hill and Emma Ford
Genre: Non-fiction, horses
Publication date: 2021
Catalog: 613 / SF
Acquisition: 3 weeks ago
Rating: 4

I was looking forward to this book for a very long time. I ended up disappointed that 80% of this book is copied from the authors' previous book World-Class Grooming - photos, side notes, and all. That's the only reason it gets 4 stars instead of 5 though. The photos and directions are crystal clear.



Book #: 18
Title: Ready? Set. Show!: A Handbook for Dog Shows
Author: Vicki Ronchette
Genre: Non-fiction, dogs
Publication date: 2017
Catalog: 636 / SF
Acquisition: 7 months ago
Rating: 4.5

Finally, a book that I need as a dog show newbie. It's only 50 pages long, so it'll be easy to take with me to shows. It has chapters on class structure, what judges expect from you, how to complete your entries properly, what classes to enter, what to pack, etc. So many books attempt to cover too much, but this one focuses on the processes (and not on conformation, training, etc). It's exactly what someone new to showing needs.

Book #: 19
Title: Lure Coursing: Field Trialing for Sighthounds
Author: Arthur Beaman
Genre: Non-fiction, dogs
Publication date: 1993
Catalog: 636 / SF
Acquisition: 1 day ago
Rating: 3

This spells out the founding of lure coursing, the rules, and some of the winners. This book would have been a gold mine in the 1990s, but now over half the book is easily accessible online for free.



Book #: 20
Title: From Blood and Ash
Author: Jennifer Armentrout
Genre: YA fiction, fantasy
Publication date: 2020
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: 6 months ago
Rating: 4



Book #: 21
Title: A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire: Blood and Ash #2
Author: Jennifer Armentrout
Genre: YA fiction, fantasy
Publication date: 2020
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: 1 week ago
Rating: 4

Overtime at work, time spent with my horse during the summer show season, trying my dog at lure coursing, busting my hand again and typing one-handed, it's all kept me pretty busy. I stopped reading halfway through book #3 in the previous series and stalled out for awhile. I've been reading chapters here and there in assorted reference books, but since it wasn't a cover-to-cover read, they aren't counted here.

I feel like I'm forgetting a few books....



Book #: 22
Title: Dressage Competitor's Handbook
Author: Suzanne KB Fraser
Genre: Non-fiction, horses
Publication date: 2000
Catalog: 798 / SF
Acquisition: 2 years ago
Rating: 5

I started to panic when I realized I was not prepared for my first dressage show/first show as an adult/first show in over 20 years. I am super glad I had this book on my shelves. The packing list is complete, it explains some of the touchy rule issues (even though the book is 20 years old, it's still pretty current), and other things one needs to know to show. It doesn't waste time telling you how to ride as it assumes you are competent enough to show so you already know what a trot is, a free walk, etc. Huge time saver that many other books include to no purpose.



Book #: 23
Title: Take a Good Look Around
Author: Jim Wofford
Genre: Non-fiction, horses
Publication date: 2006
Catalog: 921 / SF
Acquisition: 3 months ago
Rating: 3

Wofford's first memoir, mostly about hunting and fishing adventures. The last part of the book is reprints of this articles commentating on Olympics, Pan Ams, etc.



Book #: 24
Title: Still Horse Crazy after All These Years
Author: Jim Wofford
Genre: Non-fiction, horses
Publication date: 2021
Catalog: 921 / SF
Acquisition: 2 months ago
Rating: 4

A more detailed memoir. Very enjoyable, but I wish the later part of the book about NGO/association governance was expanded. More please.



Book #: 25
Title: Meet You in the Middle
Author: Devon Daniels
Genre: Romance
Publication date: 2021
Catalog: 813 / PS
Acquisition: 2 days ago
Rating: 3.5

Good? Can't remember much, but it kept me occupied. Girl works for a Democrat and has to work with boy working for Republican to pass one of her bills.

The front cover of Take a Good Look Around - lol!! The Wofford books sound interesting - onto the TBR pile they go!

Aaaand i broke my hip - durn horse. I'm living with my parents while I recover since they don't have a 90# puppy and an old 1800s house filled with baby gates. I've been able to go through a bunch of old magazines, but reading is hit or miss.



Book #: 26
Title: The Racehorse who Wouldn't Gallop
Author: Clare Balding
Genre: Juvenile fiction, pony book
Publication date: 2017
Catalog: 823 / PZ
Acquisition: 2 weeks ago
Rating: 4

Charlie works hard on her family's farm but really wants her own horse. She finally gets one, but the pressure is on for the horse to win the big race to save her family's farm.

Cute. Would have been in love with it as a kid since there were occasional facts sprinkled in. Unbelievable, but fun.

Oh no - I'm so sorry to hear about your hip! :( Sending healing thoughts your way!

And, if you haven't read Balding's My Animals and Other Family, you really should.

Book #: 27
Title: Mustang: Wild Spirit of the West
Author: Marguerite Henry
Genre: Juvenile fiction, pony book
Publication date: 1966
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: 4 years ago
Rating: 4

Annie grows up in the West loving horses. When the mustangs around her ranch are threatened, she becomes involved in politics to try to stop airborne roundups.

I suppose one reason why this book isn't one of my favorite Henry is that it's more politics than horses. It idealizes horses a bit too much (and compared to other Henry books, this is saying something). I love my mustang, but geez. Reading it as an adult, I feel that Annie is motivated more by weird survivor guilt from her friend than actual gumption, but that seems wrong. Interesting book to re-read as an adult.



Book #: 28
Title: Is It Just Me?
Author: Miranda Hart
Genre: Humor
Publication date: 2013
Catalog: 797 / PN
Acquisition: 1 day ago
Rating: 2.5

Miranda Hart explains humorous life situations to her 19-year-old self.

I love Miranda's sitcom. The book was not as funny, but wasn't bad either.



Book #: 29
Title: Fortune and Glory: Stephanie Plum #27
Author: Janet Evanovich
Genre: Chick lit
Publication date: 2021
Catalog: 813 / PS
Acquisition: 5 months ago
Rating: 3

Stephanie is a bail bondsman and is trying to protect herself and her grandmother from the mob - who think that her grandmother has the keys to the mob's fortune.

#27 is much more serious than the previous books, with Stephanie's life in actual danger, not just in over-the-top situations. I think I like it.



Book #: 30
Title: Can I Get There by Candlelight?
Author: Jean Slaughter Doty
Genre: Juvenile fiction, pony book
Publication date: 1980
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: 1 day ago
Rating: 4

Gail moved to a new place and was able to bring her pony Candy. She explores the new landscape on horseback and finds a magical gate that possibly takes her back in time, where she makes a new friend. Gail is aware that something is not quite right and wonders what to do.

The ending is something special. Was anyone else as weirded out by it as I was? I do love Ted Lewin's illustrations, no matter what he paints.

Book #: 31
Title: Afraid to Ride
Author: Patricia Leitch
Genre: Juvenile fiction, pony book
Publication date: 1967
Catalog: 823 / PZ
Acquisition: 4 days ago
Rating: 3

Jill is too afraid to ride after a bad fall, but gets stuck taking care of a relative's riding school. While there, she bonds with a Fell pony that is out in a field, but has to figure out a way to prove that he isn't dangerous so he isn't sold/slaughtered.

Middling for a pony book, but good enough for me to seek out others that the author did. BTW, I love Jane Badger for reprinting these old pony books.



Book #: 32
Title: Me and Katie (the Pest)
Author: Ann M Martin
Genre: Juvenile fiction, pony book
Publication date: 1985
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: 7 years ago
Rating: 4

Wendy is sick of her perfect little sister bugging her. When she has a chance to take riding lessons - something of her very own - her little sister Katie starts the sport too.



Book #: 33
Title: Black, Bay, and Chestnut: Profiles of 20 Favorite Horses
Author: CW Anderson
Genre: Pony book
Publication date: 1939
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: 2 years ago
Rating: 4

Short stories about real horses - mostly famous, a few regular. This is definitely from an era that thought that horses dying in sport meant they had 'heart' - there is quite a difference in tolerance levels now. Anderson sure had a thing for thoroughbreds.



Book #: 34
Title: Five O'Clock Charlie
Author: Marguerite Henry
Genre: Juvenile fiction, pony book
Publication date: 1962
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: 1 day ago
Rating: 2.5

Draft horse Charlie is getting older, and when his owner puts him out to pasture, Charlie finds that life is a bit too dull. He makes his own schedule now.



Book #: 35
Title: Tumble: the Story of a Mustang
Author: Wesley Dennis
Genre: Juvenile fiction, pony book
Publication date: 1966
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: 2 days ago
Rating: 4

A picture book about mustangs, featuring one named Tumble.



Book #: 36
Title: The Dressage Chronicles
Author: Karen McGoldrick
Genre: Fiction
Publication date: 2013
Catalog: 813 / PS
Acquisition: 2 weeks ago
Rating: 4.5

This is simultaneously the most boring book, the most realistic book, and the most comforting book.

Young adult Lizzy goes out to be a working student for a big name trainer during the Florida circuit. Nothing unexpected happens - and I love it. There is no magic, no talking horses, no miracle, just regular horse people whose lives revolve around their horses. Is the 10-goal polo player fooling around? (Probably.) Is the owner of the barn scary and used to grinding down students for no pay? (Of course.) Is the male eventer just using Lizzy for her connections to BNT? (There's a chance.) Is there a muggle boyfriend who is super frustrating because he doesn't understand the sport and traditions? (Like life, duh.) Does the BNT teach Lizzy feel? (Hopefully.) Are the horses all trying to kill themselves? (Yes. They're horses.)

Aside from Annie Wedekind's A Horse of Her Own and Linda Snow McMoon's Crown Prince series, this is the most realistic fiction book about horses I've ever read.

So. Many. Horse books. I'm jealous & have already added some I've never heard of to the TBR list!! Your thoughts were interesting on Mustang - I'll have to re-read it as an adult as well. I also have Wild Horse Annie and the Last of the Mustangs that I'll have to get to some time soon.

I have so many pony books sitting around on my TBR and they hit the spot. I don't feel like reading my horsey non-fiction books since I'm likely to forget about what I read by the time I can ride again. Most pony books are full of wishes and longing, and that's really what I'm feeling now. Last weekend I got to see my horse for the first time since my accident a month ago. I really can't wait to be cleared to drive again. I'm stuck at home and unable to walk, so I've been doing lots of jigsaw puzzles and watching TV. I'm going a bit stir crazy. Today was the start of The Purge though - I've decided that if a book isn't part of a 'special collection' or if I'm not likely to reread it that it needs to go. I went through a few bookcases before my leg demanded I stop and I'm going to try to go through a few more tomorrow.

I haven't read Henry's Palio book since I was a child; I'm interested to see how that one holds up as well.

Oh no, sorry to hear about your hip! Here's hoping you're back on your feet and in the saddle soon.

Hang in there - you'll be healed up and riding again in no time! In the meantime, at least you have pony books to help you along :)

Hope that your hip is on the mend, Emilie.

Book #: 37
Title: A Matter of Feel: The Dressage Chronicles #2
Author: Karen McGoldrick
Genre: Fiction
Publication date: 2013
Catalog: 813 / PS
Acquisition: 2 weeks ago
Rating: 4.5

More of the same: nothing much happens except life around horses - until the end. Lizzy is still a working student for Margot as she is taught dressage. The barn moved back north for the summer. Lizzy starts working with the young stock. She's introduced to equine circus performers (think Cavalia) and starts learning from them as well.

Still great.



Book #: 38
Title: Butterfly Ears
Author: Carol Munro Guilbault
Genre: Children's picture
Publication date: 2012
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: 7 years ago
Rating: 2

Paco the Papillon is accompanied by migrating monarch butterflies on a tour through Michigan.

The font choice really distracts from the story, and the concept is a bit weird, but it's unique.



Book #: 39
Title: The Barn
Author: John Schoenherr
Genre: Children's picture
Publication date: 1968
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: 7 years ago
Rating: 2.5

A skunk wanders in search of food but is attacked by an owl.

Very pretty pictures. Story perhaps a bit scary for the littlest kids.



Book #: 40
Title: When Wishes Were Horses
Author: Sharon Hart Addy
Genre: Children's picture
Publication date: 2002
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: 7 years ago
Rating: 3.5

Every time Zeb makes a wish, a horse pops up. It's fun at first, but then gets a little hairy as horses show up in the laundry room, the general store, etc.



Book #: 41
Title: Christmas Trolls
Author: Jan Brett
Genre: Children's picture
Publication date: 1993
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: 4 years ago
Rating: 2.5

Treva notices trolls taking her family's Christmas decorations. She follows the trolls and teaches them about Christmas.



Book #: 42
Title: Two Tiny Mice
Author: Alan Baker
Genre: Children's picture
Publication date: 1990
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: 7 years ago
Rating: 3

Two mice make note of what other animals they see in the wild.



Book #: 43
Title: The Wonder Book of Cottontails and Other Rabbits
Author: Cynthia Iliff Koehler
Genre: Non-fiction, rabbits - Children's picture
Publication date: 1965
Catalog: 599 / QL
Acquisition: 7 years ago
Rating: 3

Cottontail facts



Book #: 44
Title: Don't Frighten the Lion
Author: Margaret Wise Brown
Genre: Children's picture
Publication date: 1942
Catalog: 813 / PS
Acquisition: 4 years ago
Rating: 3

A little poodle wants to visit the zoo where dogs aren't allowed - they might frighten the animals. The security guard tells the owner that if the dog looks like a child, he'll let them in.



Book #: 45
Title: Mighty Babe Ruth
Author: Syd Hoff
Genre: Non-fiction, sports - Children's picture
Publication date: 1979
Catalog: 921 / GV
Acquisition: 4 years ago
Rating: 4

Babe Ruth's story for kids.

I do love Syd Hoff.



Book #: 46
Title: Little Louie the Baby Bloomer
Author: Robert Kraus
Genre: Children's picture
Publication date: 1998
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: 4 years ago
Rating: 2

Leo the tiger's little brother isn't able to do anything that Leo can.



Book #: 47
Title: The Happy Man and his Dump Truck
Author: Miryam
Genre: Children's picture
Publication date: 1950
Catalog: 813 / PS
Acquisition: 4 years ago
Rating: 3.5

Farm animals go for a ride in a dump truck and enjoy sliding down the back.

Book #: 48
Title: Curious George and the Bunny
Author: HA Rey
Genre: Board book
Publication date: 1998
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: Reread/>11 ronincats: years
Rating: 3

George lets out a baby rabbit to play with, but the rabbit runs away. How will he find it?



Book #: 49
Title: Fifteen Animals
Author: Sandra Boyton
Genre: Board book
Publication date: 2008
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: Reread/>11 ronincats: years
Rating: 4

A boy has 15 animals, all named Bob.



Book #: 50
Title: The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear
Author: Don/Audry Wood
Genre: Board book
Publication date: 1984
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: Reread/>11 ronincats: years
Rating: 4

A mouse is ready to eat a strawberry, but is scared to lose it to a hungry bear.



Book #: 51
Title: Good Dog, Carl
Author: Alexandra Day
Genre: Picture book
Publication date: 1997
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: Reread/>11 ronincats: years
Rating: 4

A rottweiler supervises play time with baby while the parents are out.

The illustrations are beautiful, and the lack of words to the story allows the read to tell their own story.



Book #: 52
Title: Llama Llama Mad at Mama
Author: Anna Dewdney
Genre: Picture book
Publication date: 2007
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: Reread/>11 ronincats: years
Rating: 4

Llama gets tired of shopping.

Banging through some of the kids books to determine what will be weeded.



Book #: 53
Title: Bored - Nothing to Do!
Author: Peter Spier
Genre: Picture book
Publication date: 1978
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: 7 years ago
Rating: 2.5

Two boys have been told by their mother to find something to do. They decide to build a plane in their backyard. Their parents are not thrilled with the result.

I really like the detail in Spier's illustrations, but the end of the book wasn't very satisfying.



Book #: 54
Title: Cockatoos
Author: Quentin Blake
Genre: Picture book
Publication date: 1992
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: 7 years ago
Rating: 4

Professor Dupont has a routine that is irritating his 10 birds. They decide to run away for a day. Prof Dupont tries to find them.

Blake hid the cockatoos in each page, making it fun to find them. I mean, how can you not like a book illustrated by Blake?



Book #: 55
Title: The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies
Author: Beatrix Potter
Genre: Picture book
Publication date: 1909
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: 4 years ago
Rating: 3

A family of rabbits takes a nap after eating some lettuce, but is caught by Mr MacGregor. Thomasina the Mouse comes to the rescue.



Book #: 56
Title: Ernest and the BIG Itch
Author: Laura T Barnes
Genre: Picture book
Publication date: 2002
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: 7 years ago
Rating: 4

Chipper the bird's pleasant morning is disturbed by an earthquake - Ernest the donkey is scratching his itch on Chipper's birdhouse. Chipper and Ernst work together to find a solution for both of them.

Better than I thought it would be. Ernest is cute.



Book #: 57
Title: Zagazoo
Author: Quentin Blake
Genre: Picture book
Publication date: 1998
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: 7 years ago
Rating: 3.5

George and Bella are going along just fine until a little creature named Zagazoo shows up. Zagazoo turns into different animals every day, from dragon to warthog, until he turns into a young man.



Book #: 58
Title: Totally '90s Coloring Book
Author: Christina Haberkern
Genre: Coloring
Publication date: 2020
Catalog: -- / --
Acquisition: 1 month ago
Rating: 4

90s trends to color with short descriptions of each chapter.

Not too complicated, not too simple. Yay for nostalgia.



Book #: 59
Title: Cheer the F*ck Up
Author: St Martins Press
Genre: Coloring
Publication date: 2017
Catalog: -- / --
Acquisition: 1 month ago
Rating: 3

Pretty designs to color decorated with motivational curse words



Book #: 60
Title: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Coloring Book
Author: unknown
Genre: Coloring
Publication date: 2020
Catalog: -- / --
Acquisition: 1 month ago
Rating: 2

The first half of the book is very large, simple line drawings of Buffy faces. Unfortunately, you can't even tell who some of the characters are. Towards the back are a few more detailed and artistic pictures to color.



Book #: 61
Title: Horses Scenes to Paint or Color
Author: John Green
Genre: Coloring
Publication date: 2006
Catalog: -- / --
Acquisition: 3 years ago
Rating: 3

John Green is *the* horse coloring book illustrator. I like the concept of light grey lines that will fade into the background once the image is colored. The paper is thick, but there aren't many pages to use.

Book #: 62
Title: Tin Lizzie
Author: Peter Spier
Genre: Picture book
Publication date: 1975
Catalog:813 / PZ
Acquisition: 7 years ago
Rating: 4.5

Now this is a Spier book. There is a lot of text telling the story of a single Model T, but the illustrations are detailed enough to keep kids interested the entire read-along.



Book #: 63
Title: Cock-a-doodle Dudley
Author: Bill Peet
Genre: Picture book
Publication date: 1990
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: 7 years ago
Rating: 3

The animals think that Dudley's crows bring up the sun, but Dudley knows better. When a jealous goose chases Dudley out of the farmyard, the sun doesn't rise. Dudley has to survive the night in the woods and get home to get the sun up again.



Book #: 64
Title: Ski Pup
Author: Don Freeman
Genre: Picture book
Publication date: 1963
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: 4 years ago
Rating: 3

Hugo the St Bernard is being trained as a rescue dog in the Alps. When a boy stays behind his class to play with Hugo, Hugo ends up needing to save the boy.



Book #: 65
Title: The Mare on the Hill
Author: Thomas Locker
Genre: Picture book
Publication date: 1995
Catalog: 813 / PS
Acquisition: 2 years ago
Rating: 2.5

Two boys convince their grandfather to let loose a new horse that doesn't like people. They can't catch her for over a year.

The story itself is terrible from a horseperson's perspective. The illustrator also has problems with horses, but many people do. If you don't care about the horses so much and just want to enjoy a pretty book, this one does the job though. The outdoor scenes are super pretty.

Book #: 66
Title: Brother Eagle, Sister Sky
Author: Susan Jeffers/Chief Seattle
Genre: Picture book
Publication date: 1991
Catalog: 811 / E
Acquisition: 7 years ago
Rating: 4

Susan Jeffers illustrated a version of Chief Seattle's speech. As always with her, there are lots of beautiful horses.



Book #: 67
Title: The Magic Horse of Han Gan
Author: Chen Jiang Hong
Genre: Picture book
Publication date: 2006
Catalog: 398 / PZ
Acquisition: 7 years ago
Rating: 3

Han Gan paints beautiful horses that seem to leap off the page. A warrior asks Han Gan to paint him a horse that will take life.



Book #: 68
Title: A is for Abigail
Author: Lynne Cheney
Genre: Picture book / Non-fiction, history
Publication date: 2003
Catalog: 973 / CT
Acquisition: 3 years ago
Rating: 2.5

Each letter is illustrated with quotes and short facts about women important to American history. It was OK, but it seemed to scattered to me. The largest spread was devoted to actresses instead of women in other fields.



Book #: 69
Title: Golden Girl
Author: Tony Palazzo
Genre: Picture book
Publication date: 1963
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: 4 years ago
Rating: 4

Eddie notices that there was a dairy calf mistakenly put into his family's shipment of beef cattle. He convinces his father to let him raise the calf. To do a good job, Eddie learns about the differences between dairy cattle and beef cattle.

This is a wonderful text that is educational without being bogged down. I just wish the illustrations were a bit...more.



Book #: 70
Title: Born in a Barn: Farm Animals and Their Young
Author: Elizabeth and Klaus Gemming
Genre: Picture book / Non-fiction, animals
Publication date: 1995
Catalog: 636 / SF
Acquisition: 7 years ago
Rating: 2

Information about young farm animals. A little preachy in the 70s hippy vibe, but we all have different ideals of animal care.

Book #: 71
Title: I Love Cross-Country
Author: Ellen Sallas
Genre: Coloring
Publication date: 2106
Catalog: 798 / SF
Acquisition: 2 years ago
Rating: 3.5

Each coloring page of a rider in a cross-country course has a paragraph of information about eventing.



Book #: 72
Title: Favorite Horses Coloring
Author: John Green
Genre: Coloring
Publication date: 2005
Catalog: 636 / SF
Acquisition: 3 years ago
Rating: 3.5

Some of the illustrations seemed to be poor copies of pictures in previous John Green books. Each page has a few lines about the breed of horse illustrated.



Book #: 73
Title: Black Beauty: DK Classic
Author: Anna Sewell
Genre: Juvenile fiction / non-fiction
Publication date: 1997
Catalog: 823 / PZ
Acquisition: 10 years ago
Rating: 3

This is an annotated version for kids. There are extra photos, illustrations, and maps to explain bits of the story. The introduction laid out a very grand idea for the book - to see what made things different back then by adding those extras in. This is an interesting adaptation - many bits are taken out and the cruelty of animal use is emphasized. Philosophically, is this a good thing or a bad in a kid's book? Will this tell a broader audience to be conscious of their interactions with animals or will it galvanize a few onto animal rights instead of animal welfare?

There are a few inaccurate bits about horses - 15.5hh, ponies being well-tempered, etc, but it was still a pretty book.



Book #: 74
Title: Crazy Horse: Sioux Warrior
Author: Enid Lamonte Meadowcraft
Genre: Juvenile non-fiction
Publication date: 1965
Catalog: 970 / E
Acquisition: 8 years ago
Rating: 3

NB: Not a pony book, although the illustrations all feature horses. My bad.

Crazy Horse was one of the Sioux leaders during the time of Westward expansion. Along with Sitting Bull and Red Cloud, he guided the Sioux through the end of their freedoms. This narrative non-fiction book was well put together for kids, although obviously very outdated.



Book #: 75
Title: Many Moons
Author: James Thurber
Genre: Picture book
Publication date: 1943
Catalog: 398 / PZ
Acquisition: 7 years ago
Rating: 2

The sick princess tells the king that she will get better if he can get her the moon. The king's advisors all have different opinions, but all say that it can't be done. The king is distraught until his jester tells him otherwise.

This was a wonderful surprise of a book hidden away on my shelves - a new fairy tale, both funny and touching. The illustrations were perfect for it.



Book #: 76
Title: Trouble on Thunder Mountain
Author: Russell Hoban
Genre: Juvenile fiction
Publication date: 1999
Catalog: 823 / PZ
Acquisition: 7 years ago
Rating: 3

The dinosaur family is evicted from their mountain so a big company can build a theme park. The dinosaurs have an idea of how they can get their mountain back.



Book #: 77
Title: Molly Learns a Lesson
Author: Valerie Tripp
Genre: Juvenile fiction
Publication date: 1986
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: 6 years ago
Rating: 3

Molly has a school group project, but she doesn't think the idea is good enough so she and her friends come up with a secret project of their own - until she's caught spying on the original group.

Book #: 78
Title: I Love Dressage
Author: Ellen Sallas
Genre: Coloring
Publication date: 2016
Catalog: 798 / SF
Acquisition: 2 years ago
Rating: 3

A few sentences about dressage narrate each illustration to color.



Book #: 79
Title: I Love Show Jumping
Author: Ellen Sallas
Genre: Coloring
Publication date: 2016
Catalog: 798 / SF
Acquisition: 2 years ago
Rating: 3

A few sentences about show jumping narrate each illustration to color.



Book #: 80
Title: Ponies of the World
Author: John Green
Genre: Coloring
Publication date: 1999
Catalog: 636 / SF
Acquisition: 3 years ago
Rating: 4

Each illustration to color has a few paragraphs about that breed of pony, mostly emphasizing their history and permitted colors.



Book #: 81
Title: Hailstones and Halibut Bones
Author: Valerie Tripp
Genre: Picture book
Publication date: 1961
Catalog: 811 / PS
Acquisition: 7 years ago
Rating: 4

Poems devoted to each color describe what that color feels like. I had this as a child and still love colors.



Book #: 82
Title: A is for Aloha
Author: U'ilani Goldsbery
Genre: Picture book
Publication date: 2005
Catalog: 996 / DU
Acquisition: 3 years ago
Rating: 4

Each letter is about a part of Hawaiian culture and history.



Book #: 83
Title: Brother Wolf, Sister Sparrow: Stories About Saints and Animals
Author: Eric Kimmell
Genre: Picture book
Publication date: 1986
Catalog: 398 / PZ
Acquisition: 7 years ago
Rating: 2.5

This is a collection of a dozen stories of saints that have animals somewhere in their stories. I did not feel too much empathy towards animals in the stories, but there sure was a lot about how poor people, hermits, and rich people who renounced their wealth are blessed.



Book #: 84
Title: The Little Fellow
Author: Marguerite Henry
Genre: Picture book / juvenile fiction
Publication date: 1945
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: 7 years ago
Rating: 3

O. M. G! "The Little Fellow" is really two different books depending on which edition you buy! The older one illustrated by Diana Thorne has a stereotypical African American groom that speaks in dialect, and the new one illustrated by Rich Rudish made Whitey into Dooley, a stereotypical Irish groom that also speaks in dialect.

The groom character isn't the only text that changed. The new edition fleshed some things out and also has more accurate illustrations - a whole bit about the foal's white star was illustrated by a colt with a wide blaze by Thorne.

As for the story, a foal named Chip is enjoying his life until a new foal in the field gets more attention than he does.

>43 alsvidur: Congratulations on reaching 75, Emilie!

Congrats!

Book #: 85
Title: Black Beauty Coloring Book
Author: Anna Sewell
Genre: Coloring
Publication date: 1996
Catalog: 823 / PZ
Acquisition: 3 years ago
Rating: 3

This adaptation of Black Beauty has its few illustrations done as line drawings for you to color. This adaption is more horsey and less issues-of-the-time, and it also smooths over some of the deaths.



Book #: 86
Title: Big Book of Horses to Color
Author: John Green
Genre: Coloring
Publication date: 2006
Catalog: -- / --
Acquisition: 3 years ago
Rating: 4

This huge coloring book contains 4 previously published books of John Green: Horses of the World and Ponies of the World (both with information about horse breeds), Favorite Horses (with shorter captions about horse breeds), and Wonderful World of Horses (a straight up coloring book).



Book #: 87
Title: The Gremlins
Author: Roald Dahl
Genre: Picture book
Publication date: 1943
Catalog: 823 / PZ
Acquisition: 4 years ago
Rating: 3

Disney studios started a movie with Roald Dahl about the gremlins that caused malfunctions in WWII aircraft, but the movie was never finished. This book tell the general story of how the gremlins came to be, how they caused mischief, an dhow they were reformed to help the RAF.



Book #: 88
Title: From Rags to Riches: A History of Girls' Clothing in America
Author: Leslie Sills
Genre: Juvenile non-fiction, fashion
Publication date: 2005
Catalog: 391 / GT
Acquisition: 7 years ago
Rating: 3

A brief history of little girls' clothing fashions from the 1600s through roughly today.



Book #: 89
Title: The Problem Pony
Author: Lynn Hall
Genre: Pony book
Publication date: 1983
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: 8 years ago
Rating: 3

Also published as 'Megan's Mare'.

Megan helps her dad train horses. She really likes Berry, but Berry is very scared of wooden bridges. She has to help Berry overcome her fear, and in doing so, she builds a mental bond with Berry.



Book #: 90
Title: Five True Horse Stories
Author: Margaret Davidson
Genre: Pony book
Publication date: 1979
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: 7 years ago
Rating: 3

I had this book as a small child and remember enjoying it. The five stories about Clever Hans, Bright, Justin Morgan, Misty of Chincoteague, and the Pacing White Mustang are short and simple.



Book #: 91
Title: Five True Dog Stories
Author: Margaret Davidson
Genre: Juvenile fiction
Publication date: 1977
Catalog: 813 / PZ
Acquisition: 7 years ago
Rating: 3

Another early chapter book by Davidson, the collection of five dog stories are about Balto, Barry the St Bernard, Tennyson's collie Wolf, Dox the police dog, and a thief's dog Grip.

Congrats on blowing through 75 Books!! Some of the children's books look so interesting - are they all yours and you're re-reading them?

And I didn't know that about The Little Fellow! I just read that for the first time myself and now I can't remember which version I may have...

Yes, they're mine but all previously unread - at least, according to LibraryThing. I could have sworn I'd read some of them within the past 12 years (when I joined LT), but if I did I didn't log it.

I just turned 40 and it's time to start weeding some of the books I had acquired for future children. I'm going through my little kids' books TBR so I can pass as many on to coworkers as I can right now. I'm of course keeping sentimental/nostalgic books, ones that go into my pony book collection, and books I really just plain love, but there is no need for me to have so many shelves of picture books taking up space that could be used for other books. With my injury/time off work, it's a good time to rearrange some shelves.

With the few hundred books I'm giving away, that allowed me to give some of my fiction books some breathing room. Moving some old reference books that I don't use into boxes has allowed me to give my horse books room to spread out more too. It's so nice not having to get into a wrestling match with the stacks simply to get a book off the shelf or to worry about getting hurt by falling textbooks. I'm a little sad about having to box up some books, but I've simply run out of wall space. My fiance is super supportive about my book habit; he's allowed my books to take up almost every wall available - but I already have little aisles in one room, and the weight of so many non-fiction books is structurally damaging our old house. As much as I love my books, I also love having a place to live. Ah well, at least my non-fiction horse book section is going to be fabulous!

>39 alsvidur: The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear is an old favorite of mine; it's the first book I ever learned to "read," AKA I memorized it at the age of 3 or 4 and then would get mad at my parents when they tried to skip bits while we were reading it together for the umpteenth time :)

Book #: 92
Title: The Right Girl for the Job
Author: Karen McGoldrick
Genre: Fiction
Publication date: 2016
Catalog: 813 / PS
Acquisition: 2 weeks ago
Rating: 4.5

This series is still great. Lizzy is a groom at a dressage barn, navigating her crazy boss, keeping the horses alive, and trying to show her own horse.



Book #: 93
Title: My Pet Rat
Author: Arlene Erlbach
Genre: Non-fiction, animals
Publication date: 1998
Catalog: 636 / SF
Acquisition: 8 years ago
Rating: 4

A girl talks about adopting her pet rat, taking care of it, and training it. It's narrative and illustrated by lots of photos.



Book #: 94
Title: Pegasus
Author: Marianna Mayer
Genre: Picture book
Publication date: 1998
Catalog: 398 / BL
Acquisition: 7 years ago
Rating: 4.5

This book is beautifully illustrated. The retelling of Pegasus and Bellerophon is simplified for kids but doesn't dumb the little parts down.



Book #: 95
Title: How Stella Learned to Talk: The Groundbreaking Story of the World's First Talking Dog
Author: Christina Hunger
Genre: Non-fiction, animals
Publication date: 2021
Catalog: 636 / SF
Acquisition: 1 week ago
Rating: 4

Christina Hunger is a speech therapist, and when she got a puppy, she realized that the puppy shared a lot of communication habits that non-verbal kids did. She has a professional interest in alternative communication devices and decided to try one at home with her dog. Over a few months, Stella learned to press buttons to communicate what she wanted. As she learned, Hunger continued to give her more buttons. The really cool thing is not that she learned to press buttons to say what she wanted, but that Stella started to string together phrases and concepts that haven't really been studied much in species other than apes and parrots.

The book itself is much shorter than I wanted - I wanted more details, but I get it. It was super easy to read and has some general interest. If you're on social media, check out videos from Hunger for Words or Bunny the dog. The tips at the end of each chapter are a nice summary for those interested in trying buttons with their own pets. (I ordered FluentPet buttons and am going to try it with Rory. I wish I could have my horse closer so I could teach her; it's already known that they can use symbols, but voice buttons would be super cool too.)



Book #: 96
Title: The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness
Author: Sy Montgomery
Genre: Non-fiction, animals
Publication date: 2015
Catalog: 594 / QL
Acquisition: 1 week ago
Rating: 3

Narrative non-fiction. Sy is interested in octopodes and starts volunteering at the local aquarium. She meets a few octopodes, learns to scuba dive, and in general, becomes a bit obsessed.

This was recommended by Christina Hunger in How Stella Learned to Talk. I was a bit disappointed since there is no detailed information about learning/ethology in cephalopods, but it was a good general audience/science book and it was written in a nicely flowing way.

Your last one piqued my interest a little Emilie.

I so often see Octopi on Richard's thread, it would be nice to know what they were thinking!

Book #: 97
Title: Safety: Threshold Picture Guides
Author: Toni Webber
Genre: Non-fiction, horses
Publication date: 2004
Catalog: 636 / SF
Acquisition: 1 day ago
Rating: 4

A collection of safety tips for riding and care of horses, suitable for children



Book #: 98
Title: Beds and Bedding
Author: Mary Gordon Watson
Genre: Non-fiction, horses
Publication date: 1995
Catalog: 636 / SF
Acquisition: 1 week ago
Rating: 3

Stall maintenance and mucking, suitable for children



Book #: 99
Title: Kiss My Cupcake
Author: Helena Hunting
Genre: Contemporary romance/chick lit
Publication date: 2020
Catalog: 813 / PS
Acquisition: 5 months ago
Rating: 4

Blaire is starting her own cupcake shop, but runs into some complications when the bar next door starts edging into her business. It doesn't help that the guy who runs the bar starts antagonizing her.

I started this a long time ago on my phone, but kept thinking about it until I picked it up on my nook. Not smutty, just romance-y and fluffy enough to hit the spot.



Book #: 100
Title: I Flipping Love You
Author: Helena Hunting
Genre: Contemporary romance/chick lit
Publication date: 2018
Catalog: 813 / PS
Acquisition: 1 day ago
Rating: 3

Rian is accosted by a handsome man in a grocery store and finds out that he thinks that she's her twin sister - who happened to ding his car in the parking lot. Pierce and Rian end up getting thrown together a lot and realize that they're in the same business of buying and flipping houses.

I finished this book today and already forgot most of it, but it wasn't terrible.



Book #: 101
Title: In a Holidaze
Author: Christina Lauren
Genre: Contemporary romance/chick lit
Publication date: 2020
Catalog: 813 / PS
Acquisition: 1 day ago
Rating: 3

Mae has always been in love with her family friend Andrew, so when she wakes up on Christmas holiday after drunkenly making out with Andrew's brother, she's pretty torn up and wishes that she could figure out what would make her happy. The universe complies by turning her life into the Groundhog Day movie - repeating things over and over until she gets them right.

I liked that I couldn't figure out where the book was ultimately going immediately. Amusing holiday story, light and fluffy.



Book #: 102
Title: When She Was Naughty
Author: Tessa Dare
Genre: Historical romance/novella
Publication date: 2020
Catalog: 813 / PS
Acquisition: 1 day ago
Rating: 2

A man proposes to a woman. This is so short it was like a random scene from a book we'll never read - and therefore don't know much about the characters or their relationship - and also based on a dare that a historical romance couldn't be written about an ugly Christmas sweater. Normally I love Dare's little modern thrown ins, but it just seemed weird.

A Thanksgiving to Friends (Lighting the Way)

In difficult times
a friend is there to light the way
to lighten the load,
to show the path,
to smooth the road

At the darkest hour
a friend, with a word of truth
points to light
and the encroaching dawn
is in the plainest sight.

Emilie, to a friend in books and more this Thanksgiving

Have a lovely holiday, Emilie.

Forget your stresses and strains
As the old year wanes;
All that now remains
Is to bring you good cheer
With wine, liquor or beer
And wish you a special new year.

Happy New Year, Emilie.

2021 Year-end Summary

Best books of the year:
Non-fiction horses: The Dressage Competitors' Handbook by Suzanne Fraser
Non-fiction dogs: How Stella Learned to Talk by Christina Hunger
Fiction: The Dressage Chronicles series by Karen McGoldrick
YA: A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah Maas
Picture book: Pegasus by Marianna Mayer


Total books read: 102
Total books bought: 84

Rereads: 8
In the TBR Pit of Despair >6m: 54
Time in the Pit: 5 hours - >8 alsvidur: years
From library: 0
Not new books: 61% (outstanding!)

Non-fiction, animals: 20
Non-fiction, other: 3
Fiction: 79
Pony books: 14

Genre
Picture book: 33
Juvenile fiction: 14
YA fiction: 8

Chick lit: 2
Romance, historical: 4
Romance, contemporary: 5
Humor: 2
Fiction: 3

Coloring: 11

Non-fiction, horses: 9
Non-fiction, dogs: 4
Non-fiction, other: 7

Library of Congress
BL - 1
CT - 1
DU - 1
E - 1
GT - 1

PN - 3
PS - 14
PZ - 53

QL - 2
SF - 20

Dewey Decimal
391 - 1
398 - 4

594 - 1
599 - 1

636 - 12

741 - 1
797 - 1
798 - 6

811 - 1
813 - 59
823 - 6

921 - 2
970 - 1
973 - 1
996 - 1

Plus forgotten books!

Handle with Care
Making Up
Hooking Up
Shacking Up
Getting Down

All by Helena Hunting in the same series of I Flipping Love You. The additional 5 books are about young, rich, pretty people who are all vaguely associated with each other and end up falling in love. Some of the covers make the series look much smuttier than it is.

New yearly total of 107 books read