Bookworm: A Memoir of Childhood Reading by Lucy Mangen

I loved it - she seemed to have read all the books my DDs read (DD1 is the same age), and most of the ones I read (including Teddy Robinson

I've just started it; so far it's a lovely comforting book - like a woolly hug in a book.

I really enjoyed this. It even inspired me to go and read Tom's Midnight Garden for the first time (how did I miss it as a child?)

I'm sorry to be a pedant but I feel Lucy would approve - it's Mangan.

I really enjoyed it but I confess to skimming over bits where it was a book/author that didn't mean so much to me. I loved that feeling of knowing that there was/are others out there like me. If only we had known in the 80s... Probably would have been too busy reading to care.

I was disproportionately upset that the chapter entitled Darkness Rising was not, in fact, about The Dark is Rising.

Lucy, if you are reading this can you please add some kind of appendix or sequel to rectify this omission.

Half way through. I was heartened in the opening to discover I was not alone in my crush on Dickon.

So far she could be me Though I think I was evidently dull, as the age she mentions reading certain books I was older reading them (not massively older, year or two, I certainly was done with Blyton by 8 (unless I'm recalling my age wrong).

Speaking of memory, did Lucy met Aslan on her first visit? I don't recall, even though I've reread them as an adult.

I didn't see 'Miss Happiness and Miss Flower' mentioned either. Or 'Witch Week'. Or 'Tilly's House'. Or 'Flossie Teacakes' Fur Coat'.

I actually tried to find a copy of 'Private - Keep Out' because I remembered it when she mentioned the "leg doesn't bend there" bit, but it's not only out of print, the few copies I could find on eBay are really expensive. She should use her platform to get it back into print again for me

I'm loving it and have just got to page 100, where she says she's an mner. I'm that sad that I feel very excited. Great book Lucy, but no mention (so far) of Marianne Dreams, a classic.

I never read Susan Cooper as a child either, and still haven’t! I know she gets a lot of love on the 50 books thread so I should probably seek her out.

I missed Susan Cooper too. I only read The Dark Is Rising last year as part of the Twitter reading group. Astoundingly good.

Well ,she missed out on Susan Cooper!

I also loved Nina Bawden, and When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit. Mrs Pepperpot. When Marnie Was There

Ah,memories... I can't remember all that much about the books, but can picture all the covers!

She definitely mentions the Noel Streatfield books, almost definitely Laura Ingalls Wilder, and not Susan Cooper.

Well, yes , I used to be the same but books cost more in bookshops and I very rarely go shopping. All those years of having two boy children has put paid to relaxing shopping trips! Not all of us work in a town centre either where we can browse bookshops to and form work.

However, I did go to Waterstones yesterday and they didn't have the Lucy Mangan book! Or any Jane Harris!

To those of you who buy online.
I really struggle with this unless it's an another I really love, Terry Pratchett, Ben Aaronovitch, C J Samson for example.
I need to feel the book, look at the book, touch the book.

Maybe all those years working in libraries?

Interestingly, I really hated The Child that Books Built, as it just didn't resonate with me at all (even though I was a child that books built!), but Lucy's one was much more apt for me.

I know chessie. I can't honestly remember the last time I set foot in an actual bookshop! I'd probably be more aware of how much I was spending if I did tbh..

I used to take my DCs into town to pick out books when they were younger. Now they just stare haplessly at the shelves for a while and we shuffle out. Maybe I'll give it a go tomorrow!

Piggy I meant you could look at it in a bookshop to decide if you thought it was worth reading then buy online.

If you like this you may also like Francis Spufford's The Child that Books Built, which I absolutely loved.

southeast The Worst Witch I did love. Never was a Dahl reader apart from James and the Giant Peach.

I only ever buy books online chessie

Piggy, if you look at it in a bookshop or library there’s a list at the back of all the books she discusses so you could have a look at that and see what you think.

Loved it too and it was such a perfect description also of my childhood and love for books

Oh, I loved this book. I read it in one day. It follows my path almost exactly. I didn't know The Phantom Tollbooth though. Just got that out of the library.

She was born in 1974 so she's either 43 or 44. Roald Dahl is mentioned, and Where the Wild Things Are, Tom's Midnight Garden, and The Worst Witch. Can't think of anyone else at the moment.

Oh , it's Antonia Forest... goes right over my head...