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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To read a Jacqueline Wilson book as adult?

68 replies

LBirch02 · 12/08/2021 17:14

I picked up a JW book from a charity shop found it really good I know aimed probably at early teens - but thought it had a lot of themes adults could relate to - ‘grass not always greener’ issues, dealing with very unexpected disappointments, blended families, different personalities in families etc. I really enjoyed it.

OP posts:
NotThisWeekSatan · 12/08/2021 17:21

I like rereading some of my favourite teen books every so often.

I have an old JW book called The Other Side which you might enjoy too (if it’s not the one you’ve read already!)

SachaStark2 · 12/08/2021 17:22

Why the heck not? Many readers I know are fond of delving into YA and children’s literature.

And even younger than that, there are some utterly beautiful illustrated books for younger readers that it would be a shame to miss out on just because you are an adult. The Fox and The Star by Coralie Bickford-Smith comes to mind.

rosesandsalvia · 12/08/2021 17:22

Ah I used to love JW - which one did you read? Might go and hunt down some...

Isesgirl · 12/08/2021 17:22

Absolutely not! Read whatever you want, just read! If anything, YA books will give you another perspective on a situation that would be written very differently in an "adult" book.

Anyone who judges what someone reads can jog on. It's like somebody saying YOU can't eat sausage because THEY don't like it. Ridiculous.

Read, read and read some more.

Eat those sausages! :)

Camomila · 12/08/2021 17:22

Why not? I occasionally reread my old copy of "The Illustrated Mum" I think it's a great book.

Lovinghannah · 12/08/2021 17:22

Why would that be unreasonable?
I'm an adult and love JW books

Xyzzzzz · 12/08/2021 17:23

I do. I love re reading Judy Blume books

Camomila · 12/08/2021 17:24

SachaStark2 DS1 bought that book home from the school library just before the summer holidays, it was lovely.

RedRum27 · 12/08/2021 17:24

Go for it! I came across a load of my childhood JW’s and read the Bed and Breakfast Star a few weeks ago. I still dip into my Harry Potter’s or other books I read as a child every now and then Smile

SmidgenofaPigeon · 12/08/2021 17:24

You can read whatever you like, you don’t need validation!

cashoncollection · 12/08/2021 17:25

I buy them on kindle so I can read them without it being obvious, although there’s nothing wrong with reading them at all

RedRum27 · 12/08/2021 17:25

@Xyzzzzz loved Judy Blume…especially the Fudge series!

Moonlaserbearwolf · 12/08/2021 17:26

Definitely not unreasonable! About 80% of the books I read are children’s or YA. Some of the best books are classified as children’s books, but appeal to a much wider audience.

RaspberryRoyale88 · 12/08/2021 17:31

Definitely not unreasonable.
I do it occasionally, not just with JW books but The Babysitters Club and Sweet Valley High. I also love Judy Blume! Re reading the BSC as an adult I found I changed my mind about characters I liked as a child!

JanglyBeads · 12/08/2021 17:33

You might want to try Sarah Crossnan, still aimed at YA (altho a little older than the majority of JW books) and v similar themes but miles better writing, IMO (school librarian).

Apple and Sun was the one that really made me think “like JW”.

SmidgenofaPigeon · 12/08/2021 17:36

I re read ‘junk’ by Melvin Burgess recently. Brilliant book!

Original poster
LBirch02 · 12/08/2021 17:37

Ah thanks for all your responses - Katy was the one I read.

Back in April I read Forever by Judy Blume - excellent!!

OP posts:
slashlover · 12/08/2021 17:40

Why WYBU to read a book?

sociallydistained · 12/08/2021 17:44

Why shouldn’t you? I’m currently reading the “a series of unfortunate events” series alongside my usual Stephen King and I’m enjoying them immensely Grin

FionnulaTheCooler · 12/08/2021 17:45

I totally didn't encourage my pre teen DD to get into the Babysitters Club so I would have an excuse to bulk buy them from eBay and re-read them all. Ok that's a lie, I did. She loves a bit of Jacqueline Wilson too, I've got a couple that I spotted in Aldi middle aisle stashed away for Christmas.

SquirryTheSquirrel · 12/08/2021 17:48

I loved the ones that were out when I was a young teen - The Other Side, Waiting for the Sky to Fall, Amber, This Girl. They were Y/A books - I think JW writes for younger readers nowadays. I still re-read my old copies but I haven't read anything published by JW after the 1980s (poss. v early 90s).

I tend to find I can re-read my childhood favourites endlessly, but I can never get into children's books that are new to me as an adult - even those which are generally popular with adults such as Harry Potter.

StarryStarrySocks · 12/08/2021 17:50

Not unreasonable at all. I'm in my 40s and often read books for kids/teenagers.

mbosnz · 12/08/2021 17:54

I'm perilously close to 50, and I love reading books I read in my 'youf'. Chalet School, Sadler's Wells, the Ruby Ferguson Jill series, the classics, such as the Katy stories, The Secret Garden etc. . . they're very, very soothing!

LST · 12/08/2021 17:59

@Camomila

Why not? I occasionally reread my old copy of "The Illustrated Mum" I think it's a great book.
Oh I loved that book
homesickness · 12/08/2021 18:06

@RaspberryRoyale88

Definitely not unreasonable. I do it occasionally, not just with JW books but The Babysitters Club and Sweet Valley High. I also love Judy Blume! Re reading the BSC as an adult I found I changed my mind about characters I liked as a child!
I loved the BSC! I haven’t got any books at all now so rely on reading the BSC snark journals (very tongue in cheek - think there’s quite a few online ... would love to find the actual books somewhere and read them again properly .