News
This page gives an idea of what books are coming up in the horse world. I aim to
cover horse and pony fiction, and non-
MARCH/APRIL
First, some books I missed:
Anne C Hambleton: Raja, Story of a Racehorse
The author is an ex steeplechase jockey who now events, so the detail in this should
be authentic!
It’s about what happens to a racehorse after his track career: not something
traditionally dealt with
in horse stories, which tend to finish with the glory of
the finishing line. The book is $12.00 -
as I can see available in the
UK, but it will be soon.
Alex Brown: Greatness and Goodness: Barbaro & His Legacy
Actually out last year, this is the story of a horse who won the Kentucky Derby by
the largest margin
for sixty years; was destined for glory it was thought, but broke
down in the Preakness, and eventually
fell victim to laminitis. Glen View Media, £19.15,
Kindle, £5.83.
Kirsten Radtke & Bernd Radtke: The World of the Tahawy Bedouin and
Their Pure-
Out on 31 March, published by Medina at £35.00 is a history of the Tahawy Bedouin
and their horses.
Records of the horses were mostly oral, but after much research
this book includes over 30 pedigrees,
as well as rare and hitherto unpublished photographs.
Judy Steel: Horse Tales & Saddle Songs
On 17 March a revised edition of this anthology of horse poetry was issued.
Robert Hudson and Marie Philips: War Horses of Letters
This is the book version of
a series which originally appeared on Radio 4. Napoleon’s horse, Marengo,
and Wellington’s,
Copenhagen, write to each other. This series aired late at night; if you’re easily
offended,
don’t buy it. It is distinctly irreverent, but it is very funny. Two horses divided
by war, but
united by love. Out on 15 March, £8.99.
Susan Kiernan-
Out on 26 March on Susan’s own imprint, San Marco Press, is her post-
American family marooned in Ireland after a nuclear incident, which
has immobilised all cars. Horses
are now essential. The book is free on Amazon on
29 and 30 March. It’s
there will be a a free promotion
starting April 2-
through
Goodreads until April 8. Also available in conventional book format:
Diane Lee Wilson: Tracks
The always reliable Diane Lee Wilson has another historical story coming out. Set
after the American Civil
War, it’s about two boys from completely different backgrounds
working on the transcontinental railroad. And
their animals. Published in hardcover
on 3 April, £10.85., and as an ebook: nookbook, $8.99.
Sheena Wilkinson: Grounded
After her excellent debut horse novel, set in Belfast,
Sheena Wilkinson has followed it up with Grounded.
It takes Declan’s story on, and
sees him torn between home and ambition. Out on 1st April, it’s £8.99 in
paperback.
Lisa Williams Kline: Wild Horse Spring
Out on 23rd April for £6.99 is this book from
the Sisters in All Seasons series.
Janet Whyte: Rescue Rider
Part of the Lorimer Sports series, this is out in hardback at £10.85, and in paperback
at £3.02. It’s
saving the world, one horse at a time. Nook Book, $7.33. Kobo, £5.39.
Maia Wojciechow: A Kingdom In A Horse
Out on 5 April 2012 is a re-
with his father’s decisions,
and his own actions. Pb £5.99, Nook Book, $6.59, Kindle £4.10
Troon Harrison: The Horse Road
Published by Bloomsbury on 12 April is this historical story, set in Central Asia,
102 BC. Kallisto has been
taught her equestrian skills by her nomad mother, which
she needs when the Chinese Army invades, on a
mission to steal horses. About, I think,
the Akhal-
PB £5.99. Kobo, £4.91,
Nook Book, $10.36.
Maggie Dana: Racing Into Trouble
The second book in the re-
Dean, a thorn in Kate’s side in the first book, is continuing
her winning ways. The book’s already out on
Kindle for £1.84, and as a Nook Book
for $2.99. Read my
MAY
Jane Smiley: Mystery Horse
In the UK we have a long wait for Jane Smiley’s books:
this is the third in the Abby series, originally
published as True Blue, it’s out
on 3 May through Faber. I loved the first in the series; was rather more
ambivalent
about the second, so I’m looking forward to what the third has to offer. PB, £6.99,
Kindle,
£3.40.
John Curtis: Horses in the Middle East and Beyond
Out on 7 May, published by the British Museum Press, to accompany the major exhibition
at the Museum
(24 May -
between horses and humans through the ages, from 3500
BC to the present day.” There’s a
to a pdf of their Spring Catalogue. Scroll
down. £25.00 in hardback.
Patricia Leitch: The Magic Pony
Catnip continue their reissues of the excellent Jinny series, and are now up to number
7 with The Magic
Pony, in which Jinny rescues the pathetic Easter. Out on 1 May, pb,
£5.99.
Jessica Burkhart: Popular
The school-
Kindle, £3.99
Belinda Rapley: Moonlight, Star of the Show & Scout -
The Pony Detectives series launches with Moonlight on 1 May, pb £4.99. The author’s
written for
Horse & Hound online, and is training to be a social worker. Her series
features four friends who stable
their ponies at the same yard and do the usual pony
stuff, plus solve mysteries. Published by Templar.
Lois Szymanski and Pam Emge: Chincoteague Ponies: Untold Tails
Out on 28 May, published by Schiffer, £19.95 , this is an exploration of the world
of the Chincoteague
Pony, with over 200 colour photographs.
Catherine Hapka & Georgina Bloomberg: My Favorite Mistake: A Circuit Novel
Out on
10 May 2012, published by Bloomsbury, pb £3.91, Kindle £4.46. Latest in the series
about
teenage riders on the American competition circuit.
JUNE
Victoria Eveleigh: A Stallion Called Midnight
Orion continue their re-
and only, as far as I know, pony book to feature the
Lundy Pony. Out on 21 June, it’s £4.99 in both
paperback and ebook format.
Victoria Eveleigh: Katy’s Pony Surprise
Out on 7 June is the last in the Katy series, updated and re-
and in ebook.
Catherine Hapka & Anne Kennedy: The Trail Ride
Another in the Pony Scouts series is out on 5 June, published by HarperCollins. It’s
£10.85 in hardback,
£2.55 in paperback.
Monica Edwards: Spirit of Punchbowl Farm
Out in June is the latest in Girls Gone By’s series of reprints. Spirit of Punchbowl
Farm sees Lindsey and
Dion clash over the fate of the huge yew tree; fatal to horses
and cows, but to Lindsey a thing of beauty.
£12.00.
Angela Dorsey: various titles
Angela Dorsey has several books coming out in the next few months. There’s more information
on her
website, but titles are: the first three Whinnies on the Wind books (Winter
of the Crystal Dances, Spring of
the Poachers Moon, Summer of Wild Hearts), Sun Catcher,
and Abandoned. PB £6.99, Kobo, £2.18,
Kindle £1.99, Nook Book $1.99.
Ebooks
Elizabeth Kaye McCall: Rajalika Speak, Kindle, June (definitely in America, not
sure yet of UK release
date). This is written from the horse’s perspective, and is
inspired by a real-
the bad. It’s illustrated by Danielle
Bowman, an American autistic teenager.
C W Anderson: Billy and Blaze series: I’m told they’re out in June, but haven’t managed
to confirm
details yet. More information when I do.
Some catch ups
Linda Benson: The Girl Who Remembered Horses
Set in the future, when few people now remember horses, Sahara dreams about strange
but magnificent
creatures. When she comes across a dying mare, she realises her dreams
are based on reality. The book
is available via in ebook format only: Kobo, £3.65,
Kindle £3.18, Nook Book, $4.19.
Cynthia D'Errico: Ground Manners
There seems to be a bit of a resurgence in books narrated by the horse, and here’s
another one. This one
tells of how the Canadien breed became the National Horse of
Canada, which is interwoven with themes of
horse welfare and slaughter. Available
now. Hardback, £23.00, pb £14.00, Kindle £6.41. Nook Book, $8.49.
Nell Walton: The Bone Trail
Written by Tennessee based journalist Nell Walton, this thriller sees an investigate
journalist pursuing the
mystery behind the disappearance of two wild horse advocates
in the Nevada incident. As its background,
this book takes the real-
Available now. Pb £8.91, Kindle £0.99, Nook Book, $2.99.
