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Original poster

Would you expect to see a People’s Friend annual 1998 in an expensive holiday home?

219 replies

ThePieceHall · 10/07/2026 22:48

As per the title, DD2 and I are staying in an expensive holiday home on the coast in North Yorkshire. The bookshelf is the tiredest and saddest I have ever seen. There is actually a People’s Friend annual from 1998. The weather has been glorious and we have been on the Blue Flag beach for hours every day so we have not had to open the really tired and dated jigsaws. Thankfully. Would I be unreasonable to point out to the hosting company that a little bit of investment and a little bit of respect for paying holidaymakers would not go amiss?

OP posts:
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9
SkippitySkoppity · 10/07/2026 23:41

CockyJogger · 10/07/2026 22:49

No. Fucking entitled attitude.

personally I’d love seeing an archive

She's a paying guest, of course she's 'entitled' 😂

Original poster
ThePieceHall · 10/07/2026 23:40

Happyjoe · 10/07/2026 23:37

My mum had that! They're just full of short stories, nothing wrong with that! Brought back memories that has.

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I can screenshot a few stories for you?

OP posts:
AmadeustheAlpaca · 10/07/2026 23:39

I think it's brilliant that the People’s Friend is being discussed on Mumsnet. This has diverged from the original OP's post but interesting to chat about. I am probably the target age group of its readers but I wonder who are the demographic who read it regularly. Don't know anyone my age who reads it, but it seems to sell well in the magazine section of the local supermarkets.

Original poster
ThePieceHall · 10/07/2026 23:38

HeyThereDelila · 10/07/2026 23:31

YABU, have you honestly got nothing better to worry about? Take your own books if needed.

Nope, totally not got anything better to worry about. I am so lucky. And even more blessed to have a shelf full of The People’s Friend annuals that are 20 to 30 years old. My life is complete now. I will count my blessings. And never complain about anything ever again. I’m sure that I could find a nice little homily about this in one of The People’s Friends books here. They are so morally right and uplifting.

OP posts:
Happyjoe · 10/07/2026 23:37

ThePieceHall · 10/07/2026 23:07

For those who have no idea what The People’s Friend is.

My mum had that! They're just full of short stories, nothing wrong with that! Brought back memories that has.

AnonymityAnonymity · 10/07/2026 23:35

Gosh that would really take me back in time. I would enjoy looking at that.
And a jigsaw is a jigsaw is a jigsaw to me. I'm not proud. I enjoy doing any.

I'm now going to use one of the vastly overused MN favourite phrases that I hate: Aren't you being a bit judgemental OP ?

Franjipanl8r · 10/07/2026 23:33

I love a holiday bookshelf full of random old stuff!

FettleOfKish · 10/07/2026 23:33

ThePieceHall · 10/07/2026 23:02

The People’s Friend could in no way be considered an ancient tome. It was old when it was published. I’m not even sure if it’s produced any more?

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I was being facetious. There are local maps from the 90s, flyers for long defunct attractions, comics from 15 years ago, well read books, probably an old copy of The People’s Friend or it’s French equivalent.

Original poster
ThePieceHall · 10/07/2026 23:32

ALovelyPinkUnicorn · 10/07/2026 23:25

I think op is just keen to show how cool and down with her bad self she is… and so not conventional… and maybe a bit cool and wild!!

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A bit cool? Just a ‘bit’?

OP posts:
HeyThereDelila · 10/07/2026 23:31

YABU, have you honestly got nothing better to worry about? Take your own books if needed.

Lamelie · 10/07/2026 23:28

UhOhRatPoo · 10/07/2026 22:53

Not unreasonable to make the suggestion, but unless the property is as advertised as having a full selection of games and books I think it’s more of a bonus than a standard expectation. So many people bring books on devices these days.

I would actually find a 1998 People’s Friend quite retro interesting! Is it maybe meant to be ironic?

Edited

Same. It’s impossible to predict what people would like to read and also people are very funny about loads of books seeing it as clutter. Are there local guidebooks? Are the games complete?

PinkNailPolish2026 · 10/07/2026 23:25

Perhaps some of the paying holiday makers renting the expensive holiday home would enjoy the People’s Friend annual from 1998?

Leave them a shit review, that’ll learn them.

ALovelyPinkUnicorn · 10/07/2026 23:25

Needmorelego · 10/07/2026 23:19

It's just a book of short stories.
What's wrong with that?
Do you never buy secondhand books?

I think op is just keen to show how cool and down with her bad self she is… and so not conventional… and maybe a bit cool and wild!!

Original poster
ThePieceHall · 10/07/2026 23:23

PermanentTemporary · 10/07/2026 23:14

I’d be absolutely fine with it. I like a holiday bookshelf. I’d be keen to contribute by buying equally random contributions in local charity shops to leave behind (authorised biography of David Dickinson… first novel written by ‘local author’ in which romance blooms during the Falklands War… ) also I would read it. 20 stories! What’s not to like?

I think I would rather read The People’s Friend than a David Dickinson autobiography. That is just a crime against publishing and literature.

OP posts:
Needmorelego · 10/07/2026 23:19

It's just a book of short stories.
What's wrong with that?
Do you never buy secondhand books?

LittleGreenShoots · 10/07/2026 23:19

I do enjoy looking at old magazines and books. But I've said you are not unreasonable as overall I would expect some newer ones and some good quality games in there as well if they are stocking things.

Original poster
ThePieceHall · 10/07/2026 23:16

cestlavielife · 10/07/2026 22:50

Maybe it s vintage ironic? What is the rest of accomodation like? Is the cooker fridge carpet 1998?

I’ve not explored the environs of the cooker, because single parent and holiday. So not doing it. I will investigate tomorrow and report back.

OP posts:
PermanentTemporary · 10/07/2026 23:14

I’d be absolutely fine with it. I like a holiday bookshelf. I’d be keen to contribute by buying equally random contributions in local charity shops to leave behind (authorised biography of David Dickinson… first novel written by ‘local author’ in which romance blooms during the Falklands War… ) also I would read it. 20 stories! What’s not to like?

potterspot · 10/07/2026 23:11

I’ve never heard of People’s friend though!

potterspot · 10/07/2026 23:10

We stayed in a fairly reasonable priced air bnb in May but the books & games were A++++

Izzyink · 10/07/2026 23:09

I always read my mums Peoples Friend magazines when I went to visit. They are so wholesome.

thistimelastweek · 10/07/2026 23:08

I've got a friend who looks like the front cover of a People's Friend.
Or the bloke modelling an Arran knit.
I haven't told him.

Bookoftheyear · 10/07/2026 23:07

I’m with you OP. A decent selection of books, including cookery books and current magazines, is a joy. And sadly very rare.

BarnacleBeasley · 10/07/2026 23:07

I love a People's Friend annual, I'd be delighted.

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