Reading Writes {Chapter Five} Old Favourites | Reading
It starts off slow, but once you get a few chapters in the pace really begins to pick up. They are long books, very thick, but you just get so lost in the rich world that Gabaldon creates that you don't even notice.
I haven't started on the third book as I haven't had a chance to get to the bookstore lately, and even if I did I don't have the money to buy it. I'm thinking that a little trip to our local library might be in the making so I can see if they have it and get my hands on it. My only issues is the time limit on loans, but I couldn't think of a better reason to have to spend a lazy afternoon lost in a book so that I can get it back in time, no?
In the absence of new books, I've decided to revisit some old favourites. I'm in the process of reading the second part of Melbourne Mum's novel, although I have to keep stopping as I really need to be reading it when I'm not super tired from a long day. I want to be able to concentrate properly on it so I can give feedback and 1 o'clock in the morning is not an ideal time for concentrating.
So in between, I've gone back to my very oldest favourite, Harry Potter.
Now I've read the last couple of books numerous times, but the first 5, and especially books one and two, I've only read once or twice. So I decided to go right back to the beginning and read through the whole series.
The first two books are small that it only took me a couple of days to get through them, even with my limited time to read. Reading the first book again, Harry Potter & the Philosopher's Stone, really reminded me why it is I love these books.
The world that Rowling constructs is just so alive, and I love the way the books progress in theme and tone in line with the ageing of the characters. While re-reading the first book I can't deny that I started to get a little excited about the day when Punky will be old enough to start reading them herself.
I would love to read them with her when the time comes, as the story is just so fantastic. I really do hope she loves them as much as I do, I'd be devastated if I raised children who weren't Harry Potter fans! Melodramatic? Probably, but I don't care. In the same way that I love it when the girls find enjoyment in other things that I myself enjoyed as a child, I truly do hope they both inherit my love of reading, and also a love for the stories I loved reading.
I have a complete collection of Roald Dahl books, as well as numerous Golden Books that I used to love as a child. Whenever I'm near a second-hand bookstore I'm always on the look out for old copies of Enid Blyton's books as well, particularly those stories about the Wishing Chair and The Faraway Tree.
Other ones I keep an eye out for are of course The Babysitter's Club, Goosebumps books, Anne of Green Gables and anything else by Enid Blyton. I'm so fortunate that I inherited a love of reading from my Mum and Grandmother. I truly believe that if you love to read then you will never be bored!
I'm lucky enough to have quite a few of the books I loved reading as a child on my bookshelf already, thanks in part to having worked in bookstores for so long, but also because my Mum kept a lot of them. I am so glad she did this, as I can't wait to pass them on to a new generation.
Do you have any of your old books from childhood? Do your kids like to read? What are some of your old favourites that you grew up on?
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Comments
I have one daughter who is a reader like me and in similar fashion has several books on the go at once. My younger daughter needs the right books to pull her in - adventure and humour are her two favourite types so I try to find books that fit that but are moving forward as she ages- it was easier when a dork diary or treehouse book was challenging but now she needs to be pushed along (although enjoying those still in between)
I can't wait to buy up more Enid Blyton. I loved the Famous Five and The Secret Seven and Noddy too. Wasn't she just the most amazing writer!
I will be seeking out some Ida Rentoul outhwaite picture books, if there is such a thing - so exquisite. I will be devastated if my kids aren't joyful readers :)
Dani @ sand has no home
I also picked up a few copies of The Babysitter's Club and Goosebumps at our local book fair recently, just to stash away for her ;) And perhaps for myself if I'm feeling nostalgic.
I began the Outlander series many years ago, and I got through the first couple of books and loved them, and then.....I just kinda forgot about them. I picked them up again secondhand recently, but I haven't gotten around to starting them yet. As you say, they are big and intimidating, such a commitment! If I lived closer to you I would totally lend you the next few books ;)
The one I have though was my ABSOLUTE fave and I'm so glad that I still have it. It's a book of verse illustrated by Eric Kincaid. All those fabulous poems from Lewis Carroll, Edward Lear, Walter de la Mare and SOOO many more. I have looked for copies of this book non-stop for friends' kids, but can't find it anywhere.
I also had another collection when I was younger that I wish had survived. It was an illustrated collection of extracts from Gulliver's Travels (his time in Lilliput), Heidi, The Wizard of Oz and a few others. Another one that disappeared from the world when it disappeared from our collection.
I was also talking tot hem today about the series Animorphs that my nephew used to read, and I would steal. They were fun books. :)
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