DD15 still reading dork diaries

[philomenacunky]

My dd turned 15 in feb. Shes a perfectly normal 15 year old and doesn't enjoy childish things. The other day though I saw her reading a Dork diaries book, is this normal for her age? If you're not aware these are books aimed at much younger children. I know she is capable of reading much more mature books than this, she reads things like Of Mice and Men, Macbeth, Christmas carol etc for school.

I haven't told her off for this I'm just very confused, why is she reading these books at her age? Aibu for thinking it's weird?

They have. They just need to be oblique about it, since trollhunting isn't allowed.

I'm rereading Nancy Drew at the moment. Reading should be for pleasure.

But in your OP you said:
I know she is capable of reading much more mature books than this, she reads things like Of Mice and Men, Macbeth, Christmas carol

So as she clearly can and does read more challenging things sometimes I don't see why you are worrying about the occasional indulgence in re-reading favourites from her childhood.

I am 60 and read all sorts of things, including a dive in to my favourite children's books from time to time. Both my DD(27) and I have read Ballet Shoes so many times we can quote bits of it word for word to each other. In fact, there are children's books which were not around when I was young but which I encountered when DD was the right age which I now also enjoy. The Harry Potter series for example.

I really don't think you should make her feel bad for reading something you deem too childish. I remember when I was her age and feeling I shouldn't be reading children's books anymore, but was still finding my way around the adult section and being unsure what to choose. In those days there were not as many books aimed specifically at the teenage audience I don't think. Then one day there was a trip organised from school. I was sitting behind my English teacher on the bus and was astonished to see she was reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and obviously doing so for pleasure and didn't care who saw or doing it. That was a quiet revelation to me.

Obviously I continued to explore "adult" literature but I also realised I didn't need to be embarrassed about wanting to read some younger books too.

To be fair, You don’t get to where the OP is today by reading anything other than Enid Blyton

We have all the Jill books! I only owned two of them as a child so when my DD (27) was young I tracked the rest of them down second hand so we could both enjoy them.

Oh dear. She will be completing on her first property any day now and moving out so I have just realised that is something else she will probably take with her!
And the Mallory Towers. And the Harry Potters. Ballet Shoes!!! I think I will have to arm wrestle her for The Children Who Lived In A Barn.

I‘m 36 and was reading Tintin the other day. A good book that you enjoy is a good book whatever your age! Just be glad she’s enjoying reading for pleasure.

I love redwall books! Read by me and my sister as both children and adults and my dad at the same time. Next doors children are just getting into them too and their whole family is reading them children and adults.

To busy to reply to the posts asking what litetary masterpieces you are currently reading apparently

I remember reading When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit when I was about 13 on a school camp.

My form teacher (who was a fucking arsehole who also had a habit of sleeping with his Year 11 female students) ridiculed me soundly about it being a kids book. I made up some excuse about my 10 year old sister reading it and we were comparing notes. (Quite impressed with myself in retrospect).

But I have never forgotten how humiliated and small I felt. I am now 50 and recently read it to my Ds12 and DS10. Such an important book.

(FWIW my father was so incensed about my form teacher's behaviour that for the next school camp in autumn term he sent me off with Henru Charrier's Papillon and told me to read it ostentatiously in front of my form teacher and to tell him it was a commentary on what I thought about compulsory school camps. )

How brilliant that’s she’s reading. I wish my 15 yo would.

FWIW I reread huge amounts of Enid Blyton when pregnant with dc1. It was the ultimate comfort read.

At least I haven't resorted to childish, insulting usernames just yet

That’s it!? That’s the best reply you could come up with!? 😂😂

I imagine there's more young teenagers reading dork diaries and other books similar, than ones reading macbeth and of mice and men, unless that's school work.
She can read what she wants , you can hardly force her to read what you think she should be reading, she has her whole life ahead of her to read grown up books.
Be glad she's reading something, reading anything is better than reading nothing, you having a go at her will not encourage a love of reading.

I went through a stage as a teenager where I reread my faraway tree books and to this day I love the brambly hedge series. I definitely used reading as escapism as a child and still get comfort from it today.

I'm 67 and love the Percy Jackson books and have them all along with loads of other old children's books I still read. And if anyone thinks that's odd, I read Dracula for the first time aged 7 and loved it. I also collect a lot of YA books to go with the hundreds of other books we have

So has school called you and advised that she's looking set to fail her Gcses? Has anyone ever raised concerns about learning difficulties?

Honestly OP if this is genuine you sound awful and I suspect your daughter is regressing to childhood books as a safe place from the oppressive expectations of her mother who thinks reading books below her age means she's thick and inferior to her sister.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Enid Blyton is renowned for sexism and racism.

I have three degrees and I still read and re-read kids books. It’s a wonderful escape. Be grateful your daughter is still reading for pleasure as well as for school, and try to be less of a literary snob (especially quoting the “great works” example you have chosen!)

Thank you, I didn't know there was a new series of it

I'm a lot older than your daughter and often re read Malory Towers, Noel Streatfeild, the Chalet School etc. My father was still reading the William books when he was long retired from work. I hope his grandchildren will follow this family tradition.

Her sister (a year younger) is fully capable of reading Stephen king, classics, etc while she's stuck on dork diaries

Well I'm capable of reading war and peace and yet I'm reading this thread on Mumsnet instead.

I recently did a Georgia Nicholson re-read too! I was obsessed with them at 13 and it was so nice to revisit that.

OP I actively keep an eye out for old Jacqueline Wilson books in charity shops so that I can reread my favourites. Don't ever shame a child for reading, just because you don't like the books

My son is an incredibly intelligent and bright 18 year old getting ready to embark on a high caliber scientific degree, yet every year he asks for the latest diary of a wimpy kid book as it reminds him of his younger years and he wants the whole entire collection. I've never worried about his intelligence 😤

Best give her a copy of War & Peace instead then !

I've heard that adults read Harry Potter books , do they need telling off ?

I've recently re read The Mallory towers set, Jill's Gymkhana set and sometimes dip into the Faraway tree. I love the Green Knowe books and the Giant under the snow. I am a prolific reader and read some quite heavy stuff, but my comfort go to books are ones reminiscent of my childhood. I will be 60 next year.

I secretly played with my barbie dolls until I was at least 15. I reread Enid Blyton/drina the ballerina/sweet valley highly books long after I probably should have and I turned out fine.
its just a comfort thing, akin to watching episodes of tv over and over.