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Original poster

Bookworm: A Memoir of Childhood Reading by Lucy Mangen

37 replies

HumphreyCobblers · 14/04/2018 08:43

Anyone else reading this?

I am a third of the way through and I am enjoying it so much. I recognise so much of what is in this book. I have slightly irritated my DH by reading bits out to him from nearly every page as I laugh in amused recognition at her experiences. It slightly reminds me of the childhood favourites threads you often find here, the first time I saw one of these I felt I had found my people.

I have just got to the Enid Blyton chapter and am in whole hearted agreement with her discussion on the limitations of updating vocabulary, having similarly struggled with working out the definition of 'colours' in school stories.

OP posts:
Piggywaspushed · 28/05/2018 08:18

What exact age is Lucy?

I have read lots of stuff on the 50 book thread and have this on my TBR list but am not sure my reading tastes coincide with hers. I was a voracious reader as a child but can't remember every book I read certainly but know I did not read Sweet valley High and Mallory Towers aside, was not a Blyton fan. I was more Noel Streatfeild. Laura Ingalls Wilder and then Susan Cooper.

Can anyone tell me what other books she covers (roughly?) before I decide whether to buy? There is one everyone keeps mentioning on the other thread that I haven't even heard of!

ChessieFL · 28/05/2018 07:59

I loved it. I read almost all the books she mentions so there was very little in there that didn’t ‘speak’ to me. Lovely cover too!!

plus3 · 27/05/2018 23:46

I have just finished it ...made me cry in so many places because the memories of these books were just so vivid. We are the same age - her favourite books were my favourite books...quite emotional after reading it actually

annandale · 21/05/2018 19:24

Yes I loved it.

CristalTipps · 21/05/2018 19:21

I am loving this book! I am rationing myself to make it last because I haven't read something this enjoyable and nostalgic in a while. What a good idea.

I started reading the Teddy Robinson part, not placing it at all, until she mentioned his purple dress in his little suitcase, and it just all came back to me! I'm considering filling the gaps in my childhood reading now...

Sadik · 04/05/2018 21:36

Just finished this, it's just delightful. Adding my thanks to LM now she's come out as a MNer :)

weebarra · 29/04/2018 16:24

Oh, I need to add this to my TBR pile.

Toomanytealights · 29/04/2018 16:14

Saw this and wondered if it was any good. Quite liked the Susan Hill one which discusses books she's read. A book on childhood books sounds perfect, I love children's books.

mrsmuddlepies · 29/04/2018 15:20

It is brilliant! So many happy memories of particular books re-surfacing.
Lucy mentions Mumsnet in the book. Lucy, if you are reading this, well done and thank you. Bookworm is a wonderful book and a terrific read.

southeastdweller · 15/04/2018 21:14

I've bought a copy. Looking forward to reading it next week.

Original poster
HumphreyCobblers · 15/04/2018 20:37

It is great, isn't it? So many memories resurface. I have just read the Antonia Forest section, it made me so happy.

OP posts:
MillicentMargaretAmanda · 15/04/2018 20:03

I just lost my entire day reading this! (Possibly a fitting tribute to it!)