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?

Are you joking? How ridiculous, let her read what she wants ffs. Don't compare your children either. You sound very overbearing, that does not bode well for a good relationship with them.

I'm at the "wrong" end of my 50's. I just re-read all of the "Murder Most Ladylike" books. They're great!. (I've also got an Allingham murder mystery, a thick, non-fiction tome about Elizabethan spycraft, a sci-fi and a Candice Braithwaite on the go in various parts of the house and at work.)

I'm also a librarian and am always happy to help with recommendations.
I've got one for you: any reading is good reading. Comfort reading is good for you. Belittling anyone for their choice of book is extraordinarily mean. Leave your daughter to read exactly what she wants to.

I loved a familiar book from my younger years at that age, the Gemma books, the 12 day of July series with Kevin and Sadie, New Patches for Old etc etc, they were a sort of comfort blanket and familiar friend as I got older.

@Iamclearlyamug @IrregularChoiceFan and @DrMirandaBailey thank you for the Georgia Nicholson recommendation, I’m a bit ( a lot) older than you I think and have never seen them. I still reread the Magic Faraway tree and the Enid Blyton stories of my childhood ( the St Clare’s books) and also reread Harry Potter and Michael Murpurgo all the books my DC loved too. I’m going to give these ago - and I’ll try to ensure my brain cells remain intact. 😁

What do you watch on TV OP? Is it purely University Challenge, Newsnight, Documentaries and dramatisations of classical literature? Or do you sometimes watch soaps, comedies, game shows or reality TV? No one seems to bat an eyelid when people relax in front of the TV and switch off.

Same with books. I'm a teacher and I have an English Lit degree. My reading is a bit eclectic. It really depends how much is going on in my life - I often don't want a book I have to think about.

Your DD is y10. She probably has a lot going on in school (ramping up ready for exams next year). Of all the ways that she could try and unwind, reading a children's book is hardly alarming.

56 and love rereading Malory Towers and St Claire’s I want some goosebumps books and some Judy Blume that sort of book whose the U.K. equivalent?

33 and love re-reading the hobbit, his dark materials and little women. I also often read YA fantasy aimed at teens. War and peace is also one of my favourite books..I sometimes re-watch cartoons and shows from my childhood too. Sometimes if life is stressful I want to read something or watch something easy and familiar simply for comfort.

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

You have styled yourself as a notoriously dim TV character though. With your concern for higher intellect I'm surprised you even know who Philomena Cunk is. Aren't you too busy watching documentaries and listening to Radio 4 for light entertainment? Careful it doesn't start eroding your IQ 🙄

Reading a book does not dumb your brain down. It does precisely the opposite.

How ridiculous are you?

You could clearly do with doing a bit of reading yourself to undumb your brain.

@philomenacunky you still haven't said where did your DD get the books from.

YABU. Reading is not just about learning, sometimes you just want something mind numbing and fun. My 10, nearly 11 year old DS has only just started reading chapter books and before then it was comics, football fact books and annuals. His reading is excellent but he just wasn't interested until now.

Of course it’s fine, don’t be such a book snob.

I read the entire Shopoholic book series whilst studying for my MA, and I still pick up the occasional childhood favourite when I feel like it. Books don’t have to be serious literary masterpieces to be enjoyable and reading a ‘light’ book can be a brilliant way to relax.

Well no one likes to see their children make the same mistakes they made.

Inspired by this thread just downloaded a copy of Dork Diaries from my local library as I've never read them.

From the library or shop I'm guessing

What a strange thing to worry about

Very weird thread.

It's called reassuring comfort reading 📚 especially when you are going through the stressful and confusing transition of teen years to Young Adulthood..

Nothing to worry about if everything else with your daughter is OK 👍 @philomenacunky

God I am nearly 50 years and I am very new member of a libarey book club and we were reading 📚 a book a couple of weeks ago,

I don't know if anyone heard of this book

"Cider with Rosie by Laurie Lee" Author

I also shh don't tell anyone I collect children's stories books too from wh Smith book store, even though I am Adult too, 😄

My friend saw me, with a quite a big Teddy 🐻 I brought, and she told me, "how old are you" ? I think you need to grow up, !

Also I collect dolls 🪆 especially cultural diversity dolls and "woke"senistive dolls" as when I was a child in the 80s, I never seen dolls like this, never had one,
even though I was transracially adopted..

I had a extremely difficult stressful childhood, and reading 📚 books was a form of pleasurable much needed Escapism relief for me...

I could escape into a fantasy make believe world 🌎, which was very imaginatively fun ,

I’m 42. Happily reading old Bunty annuals

I'm gonna reread his dark materials and Harry Potter in solidarity

@philomenacunky as she is under 16 you would have had to give permission for her to join the library or you must provide her money if she is buying them. If you don't want that - then don't give her money and take away her library card.
But of course she could be getting them from her school library. Yes - shock horror - they have these books in school libraries.
Maybe it's time for homeschooling if you are so worried about what she is reading.
Or you could get a big giant grip.

It’s just something she used to enjoy. I’m a hell of a lot older than 15 and on occasion I might read an old Enid Blyton. It’s the nostalgia, like watching a favourite childhood film again.

Anyone else just order the first Dork Diaries book? misses point of the thread

Thank your daughter for the recommendation, OP, from this MA educated oldie.

Thank your daughter for the recommendation, OP, from this MA educated oldie.
Be careful - they might take your MA back

@BabyofMine I went and checked my (almost 15) daughter's bookshelf because I couldn't remember if we had kept hers. Seems we have passed them on - but she still refuses to give up her copies of Wimpy Kid and Captain Underpants.
I think I definitely prefer Nikki from Dork Diaries to annoying Greg Heffley from Wimpy Kid. Now there's a kid who is such an arse 😂